The people who have been intimately familiar for years with the inner workings of Northside Regional Medical Center gave their insight into why they believe the hospital is closing and how it will affect the community.

Steward Health Care, which took over the hospital's operations last year, announced on Wednesday it intends to close Northside on September 20 because of a continued decline in the number of patients.

During a news conference held outside the hospital on Thursday, president of the Youngstown General Duty Nurses Association, Laurie Hornberger, said that Steward failed to take the necessary steps to attract doctors and patients to Northside.

“Since they have been here, we have seen nothing but decrease,” said Hornberger, who pointed out the shutdown of three units at the hospital, shutting down blood transfusions, antibiotic infusions, and overnight pharmacy services.

“They needed to provide more services that would attract more patients,” said Hornberger, who also questions Steward's contention that 388 employees will lose their jobs with the closing.

Hornberger said that with the number of employees not represented by a union, the number of people being thrown out of work could be more like 400 to 500.

To 39-year Northside employee and registered nurse Darlene Culver, the shutdown of Northside not only affects the workers but members of the community.

She said that the hospital shutdown leaves residents underserved. “I feel that not having a choice for health care will be a disservice to the Youngstown area,” said Culver.

Culver also said that many times other Valley hospitals have to turn patients away for various reasons.

“We get those patients,” said Culver. “That will no longer happen because Northside won't exist”.

State Senator Joe Schiavoni noted that although doctor's clinics will maintain their offices in the Northside building, leaders must work to find a use for the space that Steward will be vacating.

Even though Steward is planning to hold job fairs to help workers find new employment, Schiavoni expressed concern that the new jobs won't be as lucrative.

“The key is that we do not have them in a position where they are underemployed and they're making half as much as they did before or they've lost the benefits they desperately need for their families,” said Schiavoni.