BRMC workers welcomed with open arms
Published on February 10th, 1999
STONEHAM, MA - Displaced workers from the Boston Regional Medical Center (BRMC) found some help this week with regard to future employment, as several job fairs were held for them in conjunction with local health care facilities.
With the outlook for future financial security looking bleak, the hospital issued lay-offs to many of its employees last week. An announcement regarding whether or not BRMC will officially close its doors is expected on Thursday.
The Stoneham Public Library hosted the first job fair on Monday which was sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and the North Shore Medical Center (NSMC).
According to Deborah Bogardus from the Human Resource Department at NSMC, once word of BRMC's closing was reported in the media, NSMC took action.
"We called (the Chamber of Commerce) to say what could we do to help," said Bogardus.
The NSMC, with its many affiliates including Salem Hospital, Shaughnessy Kaplan Rehabilitation Hospital and North Shore Children's Hospital, currently has many openings, according to Bogardus.
"Perhaps this will help BRMC employees and the North Shore Medical Center as well," she said. "We know you have a lot of long-time employees. We're trying to rally around and pick up some of the displaced persons."
Two former BRMC Medical Technologists who attended the fair on Monday said that the last two weeks at the hospital were "literally a roller coaster," with many stories and rumors circulating regarding the hospital's future.
Both women received their letters relegating them to laid-off status last week.
While some employees continued to look forward to Thursday's announcement about the hospital's future, the two remain skeptical.
"I don't hold out hope," said one, a five-year employee.
"This has motivated me to get into a private company (for employment)," said the other, a move she has been wanting to do for some time.
Both stated, however, that they have enjoyed working at the hospital, which has allowed them to work in every aspect of the technologist role, and will miss the people they have met there.
Refreshments on Monday were provided by The Blue Parrot, Bruschetta's and Gourmet Lauren.
"This (job fair) is really through the kindness of the Chamber of Commerce," said Bogardus.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, two more job fairs were held on the BRMC campus, with over 50 vendors participating.
According to Public Relations Director Christine Hawrylak, the job fairs were targeted to all employees with vendors representing a full spectrum of areas, including health care facilities, VNA's, home health agencies, nurse recruiters and rehab services. Non-clinical areas were represented as well, said Hawrylak.
"Organizations are faxing us their openings," she said, adding that, due to the volume of these opening notifications, the hospital is putting together a resource book of all job openings. That book will be available later this week for employees to go through, she advised.
Hawrylak stated that although she did not know what Thursday's announcement would bring, she anticipated that if the hospital does close, the Human Resources (HR) Department would continue to be busy helping displaced employees.
"I think HR will be busy. (They) will be the last to go," she said.
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