PENNSYLVANIA, USA — After more than a year of uncertainty and deliberation, Wilkes-Barre General, Regional Hospital and Moses Taylor Hospital have a new owner: a California-based nonprofit called Tenor Health.
“I’m feeling thrilled, it was a long time, it was a long wait, a year and a half,” said Susan Wiggins, a medical technologist at Regional Hospital.
Tenor Health first expressed their interest in buying the three hospitals in august last year. Just a few days later, the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital board voiced their concerns about Tenor.
“We don’t regret that we elevated our, I think, concern and they’ve heard us. So, I would say we’re optimistic, we’re looking forward to working with them,” said Justin Matus, the chairman of the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital board.
One of those concerns was the money Wilkes-Barre General was making would be used to supplement Moses Taylor and Regional rather than staying within General.
“We’re very confident that all of the funds that are generated from Wilkes-Barre General Hospital will remain with Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. We’re very confident that that’s what will happen,” said Matus.
In November of last year, healthcare workers at Regional also expressed concern that Tenor may not honor their existing contracts they had with their previous owner, Commonwealth Health. But those concerns were also addressed.
“Tenor’s accepted our union contract and … we’re all very thankful we don’t have to worry about that anymore,” said Wiggins.
Now that the sale is officially finalized, folks are feeling hopeful about the future of healthcare in the region.
“I’m very confident that Wilkes-Barre General will continue to serve our patients and our community,” said Matus.
“It’s a fresh start for all of us, to work with someone who is willing to put in the work and invest the time and money to get us back to having … that respect that this hospital and all three hospitals are known for,” said Bertha Alcantara, a phlebotomist at Regional Hospital.