ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24\/7. Click here to watch<\/a><\/p>\n“Prasad no longer has control of West Suburban. Hallelujah,” one speaker said, drawing applause from attendees.<\/p>\n
The agreement allows Insight Chicago to assume operations of the two hospitals. Insight previously took over the hospital at 25th Street and Michigan Avenue, formerly Mercy Hospital, in 2021.<\/p>\n
Dr. Manoj Prasad, who had been operating Weiss Memorial and West Suburban through Resilience Healthcare, was asked for comment Thursday. No response was received in time for this report.<\/p>\n
In a statement, Insight Hospital and Medical Center President and CEO Atif Bawahab said, “we will begin a careful assessment of both hospitals to determine the appropriate path forward for each.”<\/p>\n
Rev. Henry Barlow, an Insight board member, joined community activists and former West Suburban Hospital employees at the news conference.<\/p>\n
“This was the easy part because it was between the two owners,” Barlow said.<\/p>\n
Barlow said Insight is still reviewing the details of the agreement but hopes West Suburban Hospital could reopen in as little as four months.<\/p>\n
He also said the organization is “concerned about the residents and the employees.”<\/p>\n
The agreement was announced just after midnight following hours of closed-door talks.<\/p>\n
Weiss Memorial Hospital, located in the Uptown neighborhood, ceased operations last year. West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park closed abruptly in March.<\/p>\n
Community advocates said the settlement represents progress but emphasized that work remains before the hospitals can return to service.<\/p>\n
“We got a small victory and the fight continues to bring these institutions back to their communities,” said Elliot Jackson of the Coalition to Save West Suburban Hospital.<\/p>\n
Rev. Robin Hood of the Coalition to Save Safety Net Hospitals said, “We know it’s going to take time and we are going to allow that time to get the best view of what’s really going on in that hospital.”<\/p>\n
Former employees also expressed hope that the hospitals will reopen and once again serve patients in their communities.<\/p>\n
“We will recover this has been a traumatic experience for everyone,” said Dawn Anderson, a former West Suburban employee.<\/p>\n
The settlement does not affect ownership of the hospital properties. RAMCO continues to own both hospital campuses, and the agreement addresses only management of the hospitals.<\/p>\n
The owner of RAMCO said he looks forward to the hospitals reopening so they can resume serving their communities.<\/p>\n
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