Last week brought a wave of relief to employees at three hospitals in Northeast Pennsylvania as the state gave the green light to an anticipated acquisition. This decision comes after years of uncertainty and anxiety over the hospitals’ future ownership.
Corinne Cianfichi, president of the SEIU Healthcare PA union chapter and an occupational therapist at Regional Hospital in Scranton, expressed the collective stress felt by staff. “It’s been a very stressful year, maybe even going into two years now of worrying about is somebody gonna buy us? What’s gonna happen,” she stated.
The acquisition involves Tenor Health Foundation purchasing Regional Hospital, Moses Taylor Hospital in Scranton, and Wilkes-Barre General Hospital from Community Health Systems, which operates under Commonwealth Health System (CHS) in the area.
The hospitals had been in a precarious position after a previous deal in 2024 with another buyer collapsed, leaving them financially unstable. Cianfichi described this period as a “roller coaster” of emotions and uncertainty.
In August 2025, Tenor Health emerged as a prospective buyer, offering a potential solution to the ongoing uncertainty. While a deal was signed in October, it wasn’t until last week that state health officials approved the transfer, bringing the transaction closer to completion.
CHS and Tenor are now working to finalize the transition. A CHS spokesperson mentioned that both parties aim to complete the process smoothly and swiftly.
The prolonged uncertainty has taken a toll on hospital staff. “Working conditions are tough when you are worrying about the future of your hospital, and am I going to have a job? Am I going to have a paycheck? A lot of staff have left,” Cianfichi noted. Despite this, many employees remain committed to their roles and are hopeful about the future.
Optimism Amid Change
Bob Clark, a telemetry nurse at Wilkes-Barre General and a member of the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals, feels a cautious optimism about the changes. “Well, if the state Department of Health and the government is willing to approve of the sale that’s some reassurance for me. I have to depend on their good judgment,” he said.
Clark is anticipating negotiations with Tenor as the hospital’s union contract with the current employer is due to expire. He hopes discussions with Tenor will commence soon to establish a new agreement.
In Scranton, employees like Cianfichi are looking forward to Tenor reinforcing the workforce and maintaining essential services. “We have a lot of high expectations for Tenor,” Cianfichi remarked.
Future Plans and Challenges
Tenor CEO Radha Savitala is eager to close the deal swiftly. Post-acquisition, Savitala aims to stabilize operations and focus on patient care without disrupting the workforce. She acknowledges that recruitment will be a significant challenge in the transition period.
Tenor Health Foundation describes itself as a nonprofit organization dedicated to managing and revitalizing financially challenged hospitals. The upcoming acquisition is set to be a private deal, with specific financial details not publicly disclosed.
Community and Political Support
Elected officials, including State Rep. Bridget Kosierowski, have been pivotal throughout this process. Kosierowski, who has been actively involved since the initial deal fell through, expressed satisfaction with the state’s approval, emphasizing the importance of continuity of care for the patient population.
U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan also played a key role in ensuring a smooth transition, working alongside Kosierowski to support the hospitals’ future.
Financial and Operational Challenges
Despite moving forward with the acquisition, the hospitals continue to face financial hurdles. Recent reports indicate that expenses have consistently surpassed revenues at these facilities. Furthermore, anticipated changes to federal healthcare funding, including Medicaid cuts, could add to the challenges.
Savitala acknowledges these potential challenges and advocates for stable or increased Medicaid reimbursement to support vulnerable populations effectively.
As the hospitals transition under new ownership, employees and community leaders remain hopeful yet aware of the work that lies ahead to ensure the stability and success of these essential healthcare facilities.
