Edward Hospital cuts 92 jobs

Naperville-based Edward Hospital & Health Services has eliminated 92 positions this week, citing challenges with the economy and market conditions.

Nearly all the reductions came from administrative support departments in the Edward system, officials said Thursday. Few of the positions relate to clinical areas and no nurses caring directly for patients were part of the cuts, said Brian Davis, vice president of marketing.

Hospital leaders said the cuts represent about 2 percent of Edward's roughly 4,500 employees. The hospital's new budget year begins July 1.

Edward is offering severance packages and outplacement services to those who lost their jobs.

The reductions come at the same time Edward is pursuing expansions to its Naperville and Plainfield campuses and planning to build a new hospital in Plainfield.

"These decisions were very difficult," Edward President & CEO Pam Davis said in a written statement. "We need to reduce our general and administrative expenses to remain competitive."

In that statement, Pam Davis said Edward's revenues remain higher than expenses but expenses are growing more quickly -- a trend the hospital hopes to combat with this week's staff cuts and plans for other reductions in general and administrative expenses.

"Inflation is pushing up everybody's supply costs," Brian Davis said. "This is affecting every hospital."

Edward's occupancy rates remain among some of the highest in the state, officials said.

"We will continue to invest in programs that benefit the community and help secure the long-term success of Edward," Pam Davis said in the statement.