I am writing to express deep concern about the potential closure of Southwest Memorial Hospital, a critical access facility essential to our region’s health care system.
Southwest Memorial Hospital employs about 335 people, and its closure would displace these workers and severely impact the local economy. Additionally, 157 affiliated clinicians would be affected, many likely forced to relocate, further reducing access to health care in an area already struggling to meet patient needs.
From an educational standpoint, the hospital’s closure would be impactful. As nursing faculty in the Southwest region, I know firsthand that clinical placements for nursing students are limited and highly competitive. Southwest Memorial provides vital acute care training experiences that prepare students to enter the workforce with competence and confidence. Losing this site would not only eliminate an essential training resource but also weaken our ability to educate and retain nurses locally. Many of our graduates remain in the region after completing their programs, directly supporting the stability of our health care system.
Moreover, Southwest Memorial plays a crucial role in serving low-income and underserved populations. Approximately 29.1% of its patients are insured through Medicaid, demonstrating its importance in ensuring equitable access to care. Closing the hospital would disproportionately harm these residents, deepening existing health care disparities.
The closure of Southwest Memorial Hospital would have far-reaching consequences for health care access, workforce sustainability and the economic health of our community.
Christine Deem RN, MSN
Durango
