Full Breakdown
Dartmouth Health Announces Layoffs of 124 Workers and Elimination of 303 Positions
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Layoffs and Position Eliminations
Dartmouth Health, the nonprofit system that runs Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) in Lebanon, N.H., announced it has laid off 124 employees and eliminated 303 open positions across DHMC and the Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics Southern Region. The cuts, announced at 5:32 p.m. on Tuesday, are presented as a step to “improve long-term sustainability.” Most of the eliminated roles were at DHMC, with additional reductions in statewide shared services and several clinical programs.
Background & Context
The system disclosed a $63.5 million deficit earlier this year, a shortfall first reported by the Valley News. Operating expenses rose 12 % while patient-revenue growth stalled, and labor, supply and drug costs continued to increase. In April, Dartmouth Health created an Acceleration to Transformation Office (ATO) to review capital spending, contracts, billing, supplies, programs and workflows. The ATO has already cut travel, conference participation and reliance on traveler positions while construction to expand patient capacity proceeds.
Data & Statistics
- Layoffs: 124 employees terminated.
- Position eliminations: 303 open roles removed.
- Deficit: $63.5 million for the fiscal year.
- Expense growth: 12 % increase in operating costs versus stagnant patient revenues.
- Program cuts: Tele-ICU, Tele-ED, and the New England Alliance for Health (NEAH) programs deemed unsustainable at current scale.
Official Statements & Responses
Dartmouth Health’s release said the actions were planned to avoid negative impacts on patient care. Executives noted consolidation of executive and administrative roles and termination of programs lacking external funding. The organization pledged transition support, resources and possible reassignment for affected staff. Dr. Joanne Conroy, CEO and president, said the decision does not diminish long-standing employees’ contributions and that difficult choices are necessary for the system’s future viability. Audra Burns, director of media relations, linked the cuts to broader financial challenges facing DHMC and regional providers. The New Hampshire Department of Labor, through General Counsel John Garrigan, confirmed the layoffs do not meet the WARN Act threshold (250 + employees) and therefore will not trigger formal notice requirements.
On-the-Ground Reports
Employees described uncertainty about future employment within the system. While Dartmouth Health promised “alternative patient care plans” for facilities with reduced services, some staff reported delays in receiving transition assistance and severance details.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The employees affected by these changes have made meaningful contributions to Dartmouth Health, our patients and our communities,” — Dr. Joanne Conroy
- “In an effort to be fully transparent, I shared with our employees in July that the ATO would be reviewing staffing models and today’s eliminations are a result of that informed work,” — Dr. Joanne Conroy
- “The Department of Labor will not be taking action at this time, however other state agencies, such as the Department of Business and Economic Affairs, may be coordinating responsive services for the affected employees,” — John Garrigan
- “We’ve got to start with our federal delegation to make sure that the fee schedule for Medicare is exactly what it needs to be for all the different healthcare professions,” — Sue Prentiss