Children and families in danger due to closure of pediatric unit
The administration of Dignity Health - California Hospital Medical Center (CHMC) decides to close operations in the pediatric area and lay off 82 workers
Several of the demands included people over profits and the planning of the personnel needed to meet the medical demand. Numerous registered nurses and CHMC employees expressed outrage at the administration's actions by attempting to close the pediatrics unit and lay off about a hundred employees.
Tell me what politics looks like as some security guards, caregivers, employees, and teachers gathered in front of the hospital at 1401 S. Grand Ave. , Los Angeles, to watch the demonstration. Politics looks like this, exactly! Let them nearer it if we don't get it!
On June 1, administration announced a massive layoff of 82 workers, including all device secretaries, pediatricians, and various healthcare professionals. On August 31, 2026, the pediatric office will close.
On June 18, the protesters informed their employer that they would carry an instructional demonstration and that they would invite people from the Latino and African-American communities to visit them to prevent "any hazard the care of children. "
According to Ariana Gómez, a representative of the California Nurses Association/National United Nurses ( CNA/NNU), "each nurse takes care of four patients daily, which causes stress and difficulty providing adequate care. " Lack of staff" can affect maintenance and can harm patients ' lives. " If there is not enough personnel, their job becomes quite difficult.
Protesters claimed that hospital administration has failed to address ongoing concerns about the impact of declining resources on patient care and safety, including understaffing, a shortage of support staff, increased workplace violence and a lack of adequate breaks.
“Corporate greed”
Ariana Gómez indicated that it is difficult for many nurses to take a break, because they have no one to cover them to assign patients to someone else, especially when they have to run to the laboratory for medical results, go get medicine, open a door or something as simple as answering the phone.
“The children need our help,” he said, while his companions marched in a circle in front of the hospital with banners and messages such as “Even heroes need backup”; “Little kids Matter” (Children matter); “Fund care, not billionaires” or Why are executives still making millions of dollars during record-breaking layoffs? Make it sense! Why are executives still making millions of dollars amid unprecedented mass layoffs? Someone explain it to me!”
Noting the “greed” of the Catholic nonprofit corporation, protesters revealed that executives have made $1.4 billion over the past five years and described how a few dozen SommonSpirit executives were paid more than $595 million; to those of Providence, $371 million; to those of Ascension, $166 million; Trinity $142 million and SSM $156 million, including $50 million to retired CommonSpirit CEO Lloyd Dean.
Guadalupe Torijano, a nurse at Dignity Health – California Hospital Medical Center for a year, expressed concern about the decision to close the pediatrics unit, where approximately 3,000 children are treated each year.
“They say it's to save money, that not many children come here,” he said.
What will happen to the babies?
Laura Topete, a nurse from Jalisco with 14 years of experience, highlighted that the decision to fire 82 workers and eliminate the pediatrics department is unfair.
“I love my job, but I don't like that they want to eliminate [pediatric] care here and then send the children somewhere else,” he stressed. "The CEO [Brian Smolskis] made $14 million last year. That's a lot of money and they're looking to do business in healthcare."
Supposedly, the vocation that defines and unites CommonSpirit Health, - of which Dignity Health – California Hospital Medical Center is a part - is caring “with passion for the most vulnerable people.”
“Our mission, vision and values guide every aspect of our daily work and remind us that we serve our patients, their families, our communities and each other,” he says in writing. “Our community health, research and home care programs help us address the key barriers to achieving healthier communities.”
“It is incredible that CHMC has decided to close the pediatric unit,” said Laura Topete, a nurse in CHMC's postpartum unit. "What will happen to our babies who need additional care after birth? Our patient population is limited, and the pediatrics department helps mothers and babies stay together. What will happen to these families when this unit closes?"
He considered it a “sin” for a Catholic institution not to fulfill its mission, which indicates that it is in the health market to benefit the poor.
“Our mission says that we are here to serve the poor, but in reality they use the title that they are a non-profit organization to grab a lot of money and they don't pay taxes,” Topete explained.
A spokeswoman for Dignity Health – California Hospital Medical Center responded that “the safety of our healthcare staff and patients is our top priority.”
"We recognize and respect our employees' right to participate in informational picketing, and those who participate are valued members of our healthcare team. Importantly, hospital operations will not be affected."
“Unsafe work environment”
Nurses have submitted numerous sick leave requests despite receiving objection forms alleging understaffing and missed breaks.
They claim CHMC management has failed to ensure a safe work environment, simply telling registered nurses to do more with less.
CHMC leadership has also invested in virtual monitoring services instead of certified nursing assistants, modifying care models to save money rather than investing in sufficient, safe staffing.
Yvonne Printers, a registered nurse at California Hospital for 38 years, who received a layoff notice expressed concern for the community, particularly African American and Latino residents who will face difficulties accessing pediatric hospital care.
She, who is part of the pediatric department, emphasized that the notification had a great impact, “because, on a personal level, we nurses do not know if we will keep our job in another unit or if we will have to look for employment elsewhere.”
“But the real impact is for our vulnerable patients in the area who will have to travel further with limited resources to receive specialist pediatric hospital care,” he said. “They are prioritizing profits over people.”
This news has been tken from authentic news syndicates and agencies and only the wordings has been changed keeping the menaing intact. We have not done personal research yet and do not guarantee the complete genuinity and request you to verify from other sources too.

