FERRIDAY — Approximately 35 employees at Riverland Medical Center were laid off last week in an attempt to help the hospital get back on firmer financial ground.

RMC Administrator Lana Stamper and the Riverland Board of Directors initiated a plan to restructure the medical center, which included the elimination of more than 30 employees.

“The terminations are in no way a reflection of the affected individual employees’ job performance. The hospital will gladly communicate this to any future employer that may inquire,” Stamper said in a press release. “On behalf of their colleagues and the community I would like to publicly thank the affected employees for their service at RMC.”

According the press release, Stamper and the board’s decision to restructure Riverland is to ensure the role of the hospital as a long-term provider of quality health care Concordia Parish residents.

The restructuring at Riverland includes the reorganization of the management structure of the hospital, the elimination of currently vacant positions, the elimination of most part-time and temporary positions, the reduction of 16 full-time positions and the cross training of similar departments to use work force more efficiently.

Stamper said that staff reductions are necessary in the hospital’s path to financial health.

Stamper said the employees affected by the layoffs will be eligible for rehire at the hospital for available jobs.

For the first 90 days after the employee’s termination, the employee will be given preferential consideration for their previous position based upon their length of service to the hospital.

Stamper said the reorganization of Riverland’s management structure is a crucial step in helping the hospital get to where it needs to be.

“The hospital’s previous organizational chart reflected far too many levels of management, and we needed to redesign the way we delivered health care,” she said.

Stamper said the new management structure will bring benefits to both the patients and the hospital.

“Patients are going to see a hospital where all employees work more efficiently and managers are organized and empowered to improve operations,” she said. “The end results will be better service, a better hospital and annual cost savings of approximately $1 million.”