Hospital Jobs Cut in Massachusetts

Holyoke, Massachusetts — Health care has been generally resistant to the current recession but the Sisters of Providence Health System announced 135 layoffs on Tuesday, citing financial trouble. The organization’s flagship hospital, Mercy Medical Center, is running a $14 million deficit for 2010.

“There were people crying,” said Patient Care Tech Erica Noga. “They were very upset, confused. Very upset. It was a very emotional day. A sad day.”

Sisters of Providence Health System is a non-profit provider incorporated in 1981 and administered by an order of Catholic nuns: the Sisters of Providence, Holyoke.