Execs: No merger layoffs

Leaders of the two largest hospitals in the Dakotas faced the general public this week for the first time since merger talks began nearly five months ago and repeated promises that no workers would lose their jobs, and no services would be cut.
MeritCare of Fargo and Sanford Health of Sioux Falls, S.D., plan to serve about 2 million people in five Midwestern states under their planned merger, which they expect to close by the end of the year. The companies invited plan opponents and other community members to attend the meeting, where one person said the negotiations were moving too quickly. Others have asked that merger talks be suspended until more information is gathered.
The hospitals said the combined organization would also serve people in North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska. About 75 people attended the meeting at the Fargo
Kelby Krabbenhoft, Sanford CEO, said he believes negotiations have been deliberate and intense since the two sides got together last spring. That came during a time when patients from MeritCare were moved to Sanford because of record flooding in the Fargo area.
Krabbenhoft and Gilbertson said the merger should help both hospitals recruit more doctors to the area, including some of the smaller satellite clinics. They also told a part-time nurse at MeritCare that it should lead to a higher accreditation for nurses at the Fargo hospital.

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