U.S. in Recession

Park Nicollet cuts 240 jobs, closes clinic

by Tim Nelson, Minnesota Public Radio

Park Nicollet is closing one of its 25 clinics and laying off hundreds of employees. The health care provider cites the lasting effects of the recession on business at its clinics and hospitals.

St. Paul, Minn. — Park Nicollet said it will shutter its Hopkins clinic later this year. 29 people work at the clinic; about a third of them are doctors, physician assistants and nurses.

Company officials said they hope to relocate the services and providers to nearby clinics, but also said they will still need to lay off 240 employees. It's the health provider's third round of job reductions since the recession began.

CEO David Wessner said in a statement that losses in investment income are partly to blame. He also blamed a spike in uncompensated care for the growing ranks of the unemployed, as well as cuts in government reimbursements for care.