The financial problems that forced Nye Regional Medical Center into bankruptcy two years ago have now caused the area’s only medical facility to close its doors for good.
The medical center in Tonopah will close Friday at noon, leaving residents with only a temporary medical clinic. Wayne Allen, chief executive of Nye Regional Medical Center, told KNPR’s State of Nevada the medical clinic is scheduled to close at 5 p.m. on Sept. 4.
“It’s terrible,” Allen said in a phone interview. “This is a tragic event for the community. But, we are not financially viable. I’ve been pursuing some discussions with health care companies to take over the clinic.”
Nye Regional Medical Center is the only hospital within a 100-mile radius, with the closest medical centers in Bishop, Calif., or Hawthorne.
Allen said having a health care group take over the clinic would allow them to regroup and come back to serve the community. “Hopefully, the clinic can be saved and made to be more viable.”
Editor’s Note: If you live in Tonopah or the surrounding area, we want to hear from you. Send an email to KNPR Producer Chris Sieroty at chrissieroty@knpr.org