MemorialCare Long Beach To Eliminate 115 Positions, Including Nurses

California-based MemorialCare has announced plans to eliminate 115 positions across its Long Beach facilities, marking the third round of workforce reductions in just over a year. The cuts, announced on May 2, will affect Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children's & Women's Hospital, impacting nurses, technicians, and other clinical and administrative staff.

According to MemorialCare Vice President of Communications Richele Steele, the layoffs represent approximately 2% of the total workforce across both facilities and will be implemented by July 1. "In the face of the ever-evolving and challenging landscape of healthcare delivery, the hospitals are implementing operational and workflow changes to align with industry best practices and to enhance productivity and efficiency," Steele said in a statement to Becker's Hospital Review.

The latest workforce reduction follows a concerning pattern at MemorialCare's Long Beach campus. In February 2024, the organization laid off 72 employees and closed its outpatient pharmacy. Just two months ago, in March 2025, MemorialCare announced an additional 60 job cuts, which took effect in late April.

Hospital executives have reportedly cited a $40 million budgetary shortfall as the driving factor behind these decisions, despite previous cost-cutting measures. The current reductions stem from consolidating certain units within the children's hospital, streamlining operations in the outpatient children's village, and closing a blood donor center.

Nursing advocates have expressed concern about the timing of these announcements, which come shortly after nurses at the facilities held a strike authorization vote between April 24-26 that passed by an overwhelming margin. The California Nurses Association has been vocal about staffing concerns, arguing that continued cuts to frontline positions could compromise patient care quality and safety.

The departments affected by these layoffs include vital services such as outpatient clinics, the blood donor center, general pediatrics, and radiology diagnostics – all essential components of the healthcare delivery system. This has raised questions about potential disruptions to patient flow and access to care.

"These changes involve reductions in force, and while difficult, they are necessary to ensure that the hospitals remain sustainable and can continue to provide exceptional care to patients for many years to come," Steele added in her statement.

Healthcare systems nationwide continue to face financial pressures from rising costs, staffing challenges, and changing reimbursement models. According to data from the American Hospital Association, more than half of U.S. hospitals operated with negative margins in 2023, forcing many to make difficult decisions regarding service lines and staffing levels.

For the affected employees at MemorialCare's Long Beach facilities, these layoffs represent more than just statistics. Each position eliminated impacts a healthcare professional's career and livelihood, while potentially altering the care experience for patients who rely on these services.

As healthcare organizations continue navigating financial challenges, the balance between operational efficiency and maintaining adequate staffing for safe, quality patient care remains a critical concern for nursing professionals, hospital administrators, and the communities they serve.

Moreover, the timing of these layoffs, coinciding with the recent strike authorization vote by nurses, adds another layer of complexity to the situation. The overwhelming support for the strike indicates a significant level of dissatisfaction among the nursing staff, who are already concerned about staffing levels and patient care quality. The layoffs could exacerbate these concerns, potentially leading to further unrest and challenges in maintaining a stable workforce.

The impact on patient care cannot be overlooked. With reductions in key departments such as outpatient clinics and radiology diagnostics, patients may experience longer wait times and reduced access to necessary services. This could lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment, ultimately affecting patient outcomes. The closure of the blood donor center also raises concerns about the availability of blood products, which are critical for various medical procedures and emergencies.

In response to these challenges, MemorialCare has emphasized its commitment to maintaining high standards of care despite the workforce reductions. The organization is focusing on optimizing workflows and implementing best practices to enhance efficiency. However, the success of these efforts will largely depend on the ability to retain skilled staff and manage the increased workload with fewer resources.

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