Long Beach Medical Center Remains Shuttered

With its targeted date of mid-March to reopen the Long Beach Medical Center long since past, officials are now struggling to pinpoint a new timeframe.

"I cannot, at this time, give a firm date on when we expect to reopen," said Sharon Player, Director of Public Affairs at the Medical Center. "Over the past many months, we have had to address issues that were not in the  original scope of work, but were discovered as our work progressed."

During the storm the facility's basement flooded with 10-feet of water, destroying their mechanical, electrical, boiler and fire alarm systems, as well as most of the essential departments related to operations.

With repairs totaling more than $55 million, the officials are eager to reopen the hospital, however they want to make sure the facility is safe.

"Our goal to reopen as quickly as possible is matched by our commitment to implementing all necessary life-safety measures so that going forward, the safety of our patients and staff are never compromised," Player said.

The extended shuttering of the medical center leaves hundreds of employees in the lurtch.

Seven hundred of the medical center's 1,200-strong employees were furloughed. With the Counseling Center, Komanoff Center, Family Care Center and primary care practice reopening this spring and Command Center, engineering and facilities staff, the hospital currently employs 500 people.

A Facebook page for medical center staff has kept employees abreast of the rebuilding progress.

"I am pleased to take this moment to extend my sincere appreciation for your dedication, commitment, and perseverance as we rebuild and restore for a brighter future," President and CEO Douglas Melzer wrote in mid-May. "I salute you for your care and compassion to our patients and residents and thank you for making Long Beach Medical Center the wonderful place that it is. You are truly an amazing group of people."