Despite administrative and management concerns sparked by local communities, South County Hospital continues to serve as the closest and primary hospital for the University of Rhode Island.
After the resignation of several physicians in Sept. 2024, South County Health faced public criticism over management. Save South County Hospital, a non-profit group, was formed in September calling for a replacement of Chief Executive Officer Aaron Robinson. Five months later, SSCH is still fighting for a change in leadership.
Dr. Steven Fera, a retired employee of South County Health, and Dr. John O’Leary started the group.
“I was not an employee anymore, and so I didn’t feel [South County Hospital] could retaliate against me, because it has no control over my life,” Fera said. “So I felt I was in a privileged position to protest and to make this a public issue.”
Uncertainty regarding the management of South County Hospital has not “affected where [EMS] goes or the treatment that they provide in any way,” Raymond Lovell, the vice commander of EMS, said.
EMS transports are generally made to South County Hospital unless specialty care is needed, according to Lovell. South County Hospital is five and a half miles from URI, and typically takes a URI emergency vehicle under nine minutes to get there.
“Generally, we do go to South County Hospital, as it is the closest hospital to campus,” Lowell said. “We occasionally go to different facilities for certain specialty care, Rhode Island Hospital being the major trauma center and Kent Hospital being the closest cardiac emergency unit in the state.”
Rhode Island Hospital is in Providence, approximately 40 minutes from campus. Kent Hospital is in Warwick, approximately 30 minutes from campus.
URI Emergency Medical Services responded to 12 medical transport emergencies on campus last week according to police daily activity logs.
Students are transported for injuries ranging from abdominal pain and orthopedic injuries to allergic reactions, according to Lovell.
The purpose of SSCH is to raise awareness of the changes resignations due to poor management have had on the community, according to Fera. While management concerns do not directly impact URI students, they have already impacted other members of the South County community.
“[Resignitions] were a big imposition on the community, a lot of people are older and can’t drive that far when they’re not feeling well,” Fera said. “It’s a big deal for an 80-year-old with cancer to drive up to lifespan or Boston for care.”
The quality of care at South County Hospital is not a major concern, according to Fera. Patient care and working environments were the biggest concerns.
“There’s been a tremendous amount of turnover because of the perception of the unhealthy workplace environment that not only drove physicians out but drove up a lot of good nurses and managers,” Fera said.
If turnovers continue, it could potentially impact URI students, according to Fera.
“I think [South County Hospital] is a safe place to go for URI students seeking care,” Fera said. “I’m concerned that if people continue to leave and be replaced by temporary workers or less skilled workers, at some point, that may very well impact high quality.”
SSCH is working to educate the community on important issues, pushing the board of trustees to change their opinions on CEO Aaron Robinson’s management, according to Fera.
“I want to continue to increase the community outrage about these things, to educate the community as to what is happening,” Fera said. “People depend on their care, getting the care from the hospital, and we just want to ensure that we can preserve the hospital going forward.”
For more information, visit the SSCH website.
