Montefiore To Close Mount Vernon Hospital, Open New ED

MOUNT VERNON, NY — Officials at Montefiore Health System plan to close the hospital in Mount Vernon in 2020. But they're not planning to leave the city — they will open a new emergency department and ambulatory care center on Sanford Boulevard.

One of the hospitals that has transformed itself into a big regional system, Bronx-based Montefiore has added a lot of Hudson Valley facilities in recent years, including Nyack in Rockland County, Newburgh and Cornwall in Orange County, and New Rochelle, Mount Vernon and White Plains in Westchester. Mount Vernon loses money, according to Crain's New York Business.

The new, $41 million health care complex on Sandford Boulevard in Mount Vernon will be funded by a grant from New York State. The 40,000-square-foot location would include a state-of-the art Hospital-Based Off-Campus Emergency Department and comprehensive ambulatory care center, hospital officials said in a statement.

“We are proud to begin the next phase of our investment in this community through our new, state-of-the-art health care center on Sandford Boulevard,” Lynn Richmond, Chief Strategy Officer of Montefiore Health System, said in the statement. “Our goal is to bring the most forward-thinking, modern medicine to Mount Vernon and the surrounding region and to provide the highest quality care when and where people in this community need it most. Our new site puts patients first, reflects best practices in health care and ensures Mount Vernon residents have high-quality care for years to come.”

Montefiore Mount Vernon Hospital will operate until the new Sandford Boulevard location is open. All emergency services and the enhanced comprehensive primary and specialty care will move there.

After that, inpatient care and surgical services will go to nearby Montefiore locations such as New Rochelle, officials said. Patients who come to the Sandford Boulevard Emergency Room who require hospitalization will be transferred by an on-site ambulance to the most appropriate hospital for their condition—with the Sandford Boulevard site offering direct admission to Montefiore New Rochelle. In non-emergency situations, patients will be able to select the nearby hospital of their choice, officials said.

“Continuing to provide the health care needs of the community is our primary concern," Ronnie Cox, Chair of the Montefiore Mount Vernon Community Advisory Board, and longtime Mount Vernon resident, said in the hospital's announcement.

Cox particularly liked that the new facility on Sandford Boulevard would be easy to get to for residents throughout the community. David Gentner, president and CEO of The Wartburg and member of the Montefiore Mount Vernon Community Advisory Board, said he was pleased that Montefiore was continuing their investment in Mount Vernon and considering the community's current and future health needs.

"It is encouraging that Montefiore is reaffirming their commitment to Mount Vernon with this major investment in the health of our community," said André Wallace, Mayor of Mount Vernon. "Montefiore has always been up front about changes in health care that will affect the city, and it is clear that the health of the community is their first priority in carrying out this plan. I want to thank Montefiore for their continued dedication to providing the best possible health care for Mount Vernon."

The news was not met with 100 percent approval. The 121-bed hospital is a major employer in town. Democratic mayoral nominee Shawyn Patterson-Howard released a statement:

"As a Mount Vernon resident, I am deeply alarmed that the only hospital in the city plans to close. We are the eighth densest city in America, and any reduction in our current medical options is a threat to the health and welfare of Mount Vernon, particularly the most vulnerable among us. Montefiore’s planned closing is an indictment on the corrosive culture plaguing our politics for far too long. Instead of strategizing solutions to head off this potential crisis, our leaders, including acting Mayor Andre Wallace, wasted valuable time and energy on political infighting. Our city needs a forward thinking leader that can anticipate challenges and collaborate with others to ensure the best possible outcomes for Mount Vernon. I’ve already begun taking steps to address this critical need. I’ve met with Montefiore and toured a facility similar to its proposed medical center. I have spoken with state and federal elected officials and the New York State Nurses Association in an effort to find a solution that doesn’t compromise the quality of care available to our friends and neighbors. This process has just begun and many questions remain. I promise to do everything I can to ensure that Mount Vernon residents have access to a full service hospital. Mount Vernon residents need and deserve more than just talk around this urgent situation. It’s time for action."

Once the new location is complete, the current campus will be available for redevelopment, hospital officials said.