Asante rep says current staffing expected to remain through July as health care system explores options ‘to elevate and expand our neonatology program’
By Buffy Pollock, Rogue Valley Times
All nine of Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center’s neonatal doctors were reportedly terminated Thursday evening following a mandatory staff meeting at the Medford hospital, an allegation denied by Asante.
Representatives for the Oregon Nurses Association, which represents local nurses, confirmed to the Rogue Valley Times in a statement Friday that there were at least a dozen calls from nurses and other staff who were “deeply alarmed” by the abrupt terminations of “all providers at the region’s only neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).”
ONA labor representative Misha Hernandez confirmed in an interview with the Times that she was contacted by about a dozen employees between Thursday evening and through Friday who said staff were informed during the meeting that the nine providers had been fired, effective immediately, and that Asante was “bringing in more providers to replace them.”
Hernandez said she believed the nine positions represented the entirety of the hospital’s neonatal staff, leaving currently admitted NICU patients without assigned providers.
Asante spokesperson Desirae Myers responded to a request for comment from the Times late Friday afternoon and disputed the claims, saying all nine doctors remain employed by the health system.
Myers emailed the Times to say that the NICU was not closing — which had not been alleged — and said that the healthcare provider was “exploring clinical partnerships with academic institutions and other regional providers to elevate and expand our neonatology program starting July 2026. Until new plans are in place this summer, current staffing is expected to remain the same.”
Myers did not immediately clarify when asked a follow-up question from the Times whether future staffing would involve the nine doctors listed on the hospital website or whether they were being replaced with different providers. Hernandez, the ONA representative, said nursing staff reported being unsure who to call for the needs of NICU patients on Thursday night and Friday.
According to a search on Friday, Asante’s webpage for the RRMC Neonatal Intensive Care Unit lists nine neonatologist providers. The website states that the Medford hospital’s NICU serves nine hospitals throughout the greater region.
“Our Neonatal Transport Teams travel to nine referral hospitals throughout Southern Oregon and Northern California to bring at-risk infants back to Rogue Regional, which has the region’s only NICU,” the website states. “These specially trained nurses and respiratory therapists begin caring for your child during transfer to our state-of-the-art facility. Once your child arrives at the NICU, board-certified neonatologists and a dedicated team of specially trained nurses, nurse practitioners and therapists provide 24-hour care.”
Asante officials have provided limited information in recent months despite news reports and employee concerns raised that indicate increasing tensions over personnel cuts and other impactful decisions.
The health care provider has been under fire over the past two years with issues ranging from a former nurse who allegedly diverted liquid fentanyl, prompting dozens of civil lawsuits against the hospital, and an ever-changing lineup of top hospital officials.
Asante officials in December announced plans to convert the Asante Ashland Community Hospital and Birthing Center into a satellite of Rogue Regional Medical Center in May. Public outcry ensued, with community members pointing to a 2013 agreement with the city of Ashland, the previous owner, that indicated the hospital would remain open as a community hospital for 15 years.
Additional concerns were raised in recent weeks when nursing staff reported that Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford temporarily shut down its intermediate care unit twice in December after ONA officials claimed Asante created a staffing shortage by requiring staff to sign away rights to overtime or incentive pay when taking on extra shifts. Myers, the Asante spokesperson, at the time called the allegations “unfounded and inaccurate.”
Meanwhile, Forbes named Rogue Regional Medical Center and Three Rivers Medical Center in Grants Pass to its Top Hospitals 2026 list this past week, Asante officials announced in a news release.
Hernandez said staff reported personnel shortages for the RRMC NICU in recent months due to ongoing issues. She told the Times on Friday, “Because of Asante implementing the waiver system, to waive their rights to overtime and incentive pay, they’ve turned away nurses at the door — in scrubs, lunch boxes in hand — and told them, ‘Sorry you can’t work.’ The NICU has been one of the hardest-hit departments because of that.”
Myers responded late Friday afternoon to an additional request for comment from the Times specifically on Hernandez’s claim of the health system turning away nurses by saying, “As stated, all nine (doctors) are still employed and still work in the NICU,” but she did not comment directly on the claims about nurses.
In a statement delivered to the Times early Friday evening regarding the claims about nurses, Myers said, “We do not respond to unfounded and inaccurate accusations.”
This is a developing story and will be updated as warranted.
Reach reporter Buffy Pollock at 458-488-2029 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @orwritergal. This story first appeared in the Rogue Valley Times.
Related stories
Employee says Asante ‘squashed’ unionizing efforts at Ashland hospital in 2025 (Jan. 22, 2026)
Nurses union alleges Asante policy causing staffing shortage (Jan. 12, 2026)
‘What are the odds?’: 2000’s New Year’s baby gives birth to 2026’s New Year’s baby (Jan. 4, 2026)
More than 2,750 have signed petition to appeal closure of Asante Ashland Community Hospital (Dec. 24, 2025)
Viewpoint: Asante kept Ashland in the dark on its decision to downsize hospital (Dec. 23, 2025)
Asante confirms Ashland Orthopedic Surgery and Spine Care to close (Dec. 19, 2025)
City of Ashland reacts to pending closure of birthing center, end of inpatient care at Ashland hospital (Dec. 4, 2025)
Asante plans to close birthing center, stop inpatient surgery at Asante Ashland Community Hospital in 2026 (Dec. 3, 2025)
Asante Ashland Community Hospital to grow birthing center, maintain emergency services, according to new strategic plan (Dec. 9, 2024)
Hospital will not close, Asante representative tells Ashland City Council (Aug. 20, 2024)
Asante CEO: ‘There will be no gap in coverage’ at Ashland hospital (Aug. 16, 2024)
‘Crisis at the hospital’: Potential loss of anesthesia services, surgical services at Ashland hospital concerns medical professionals (Aug. 8, 2024)
Ashland mayor, councilor weigh in on Ashland hospital concerns (Aug. 8, 2024)
Future of Ashland hospital: Concerned Ashland residents to address City Council at today’s meeting (Aug. 6, 2024)
Memo: Asante completes 3% workforce reduction across region, citing financial losses (Feb. 13, 2024)
Asante Ashland earns coveted designation for age-friendly treatment (Nov. 20, 2023)
Asante Ashland Community Hospital ICU to close by Jan. 1 (Dec. 16, 2022)
