Mount Vernon Residents Want Hospital To Stay Open

MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. – Mount Vernon residents are angry that discussion of closing Mount Vernon Hospital is back again, citing poor leadership for the deterioration of the facility.

With rumors swirling about the hospital’s potential closure, residents are standing by the hospital staff to keep the building open and reform how it operates. Resident Ronnie Cox said that the  Sound Shore Health Systems Board of Directors needs to be removed because it is not operating with the amount of transparency required under the law.

“This is ridiculous,” Cox said. “The Board of Directors knew it wanted to shut its doors, so they weakened Mount Vernon Hospital and allowed Sound Shore Medical Center to take our profits. It is unacceptable how our hospital is being treated.”

Sound Shore officials have not responded to requests for comment.

Resident Samuel Rivers said that homeowners in Mount Vernon will be affected if the hospital closes since property values could drop due to it. Rivers said that the nearest hospital, Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx, is too far away for a patient who is in a life-and-death situation.

“We had 21 shootings this year, so closing the hospital would be ridiculous,” Rivers said.

Resident Anthony James, who was born at Mount Vernon Hospital, said the facility serves the homeless population of the city, many of whom could die if the hospital closes.

“If a senior citizen has a heart attack or stroke, they’re not going to be able to make it if they have to be taken to another hospital,” James said. “It seems that the Board of Directors is doing whatever they want.”

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