{"id":65550,"date":"2025-12-18T12:33:57","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T20:33:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/?p=65550"},"modified":"2025-12-18T13:50:46","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T21:50:46","slug":"temporary-pause-for-lebanon-labor-and-delivery-services","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/news\/temporary-pause-for-lebanon-labor-and-delivery-services\/","title":{"rendered":"Samaritan Temporarily Pauses Lebanon Labor &amp; Delivery Services Due to Regional OB-GYN Workforce Shortage"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"article\">\n\t<header class=\"header\">\n\t\t<span class=\"type\"><\/span>\t\t<h1>Samaritan Temporarily Pauses Lebanon Labor &amp; Delivery Services Due to Regional OB-GYN Workforce Shortage<\/h1>\t\t<time>December 18, 2025<\/time>\n\t<\/header>\n\t<div id=\"block_844d95c00a156729f1bd2160b4a1d4a0\" class=\"shs-block block-news-article entry-content\">\n\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Safety\u202fPlans Are in Place &amp; Commitment to Restoring Services\u202fRemains\u202fStrong&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Samaritan Health Services announced today that labor and delivery services at <a href=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/find-a-location\/samaritan-lebanon-community-hospital\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"location\" data-id=\"5204\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital<\/a> will be temporarily paused beginning Jan. 15, 2026, due to a\u202fsignificant regional\u202fshortage of\u202fOB-GYN\u202fphysicians\u202fthat has made continuous inpatient coverage unavailable.\u202f\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This decision follows a series of unexpected\u202fphysician\u202fdepartures\u202facross the Valley, including the resignation of\u202fOB-GYN\u202fphysicians at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital\u202fand the simultaneous departure of\u202fOB-GYN\u202fphysicians at another regional practice. Together, these events have created a regional workforce disruption that significantly limits available\u202fOB-GYN\u202fcoverage.\u202f\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite extensive and ongoing recruitment efforts \u2013 including a broad national search, outreach to physician staffing agencies and independent clinicians, and exploration of temporary coverage options \u2013 Samaritan has not yet been able to secure the continuous inpatient physician call coverage\u202frequired\u202fto safely\u202foperate\u202flabor and delivery services in Lebanon.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPatient safety is always our highest priority,\u201d said\u202fJennifer Kimberlain, vice president of patient care services at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital. \u201cLabor and delivery services require consistent, around-the-clock\u202fphysician coverage. Without that,\u202foperating\u202fintermittently or repeatedly going on diversion would create confusion and risk for families who would not know when it is safe to present for care.\u202fThis pause is temporary, and we\u202fremain\u202ffully committed to restoring labor and delivery services in Lebanon as quickly and safely as possible.\u201d\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Following review and the recommendation of clinicians, nurses and operational leaders, Samaritan\u202fdetermined\u202fthat a temporary pause is the safest course of action until\u202fappropriate clinician\u202fstaffing can be secured.\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During this time,\u202fSamaritan will continue to provide outpatient\u202fOB-GYN\u202fcare at the Lebanon Health Center\u202flocated\u202fon Fifth Street\u202fon a limited basis and is hopeful that temporary\u202fclinician\u202fstaffing may allow labor and delivery services to resume as early as April 2026.\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the meantime,\u202fpregnant patients who are\u202fanticipating\u202fdelivery after\u202fmid-January should work with their doctor to select a different delivery location.\u202fLabor and delivery services at Samaritan\u2019s other hospitals will continue without disruption.\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Support for Patients, Families &amp; Employees<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To support patients\u202fand staff\u202fduring this\u202ftemporary pause, Samaritan has implemented several measures\u202fincluding:\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Providing\u202findividualized\u202foutreach and\u202fconcierge\u202fsupport\u202fto help\u202fexpectant parents transition care to Albany or Corvallis\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Implementing\u202fsafe\u202ftransfer\u202fprotocols\u202ffor\u202furgent\u202fand emergent\u202fsituations\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Keeping\u202four\u202fhighly skilled\u202flabor\u202fand\u202fdelivery\u202fnurses onsite to\u202fassist\u202fthe\u202fEmergency Department\u202fwith any obstetric emergencies\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Partnering with\u202fthe Oregon Nurses Association\u202fto explore temporary staffing\u202fsolutions and redeployment opportunities for our nurses during this period\u2014no\u202flayoffs will occur\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Earlier this year, Samaritan hosted more than 70 community and employee listening sessions and publicly\u202freaffirmed its commitment to\u202fmaintaining\u202flabor and delivery\u202fservices\u202fat all five Samaritan hospitals.\u202fThat commitment\u202fremains\u202funchanged.\u202fThis temporary pause is driven solely by patient safety and current workforce realities and is unrelated to the proposed affiliation or earlier service evaluations.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We will continue\u202fto provide updates and share progress as we work toward restoring services.\u202f\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/news\/open-letter-to-our-community\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"56813\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Read an open letter<\/a> about the temporary service pause from Marty Cahill, Samaritan President and CEO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About Samaritan Health Services<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Samaritan Health Services is a nonprofit regional health system that brings together five community hospitals, more than 100 physician clinics and multiple health insurance plans to serve more than\u202f290,000 residents\u202fin Oregon\u2019s Benton,\u202fLincoln\u202fand Linn counties. Samaritan employs more than 5,000 workers including 620 clinicians and is governed by a volunteer board\u202fof\u202fcommunity members\u202fand\u202fphysicians.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<aside>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/mom-cradling-new-born-baby-CO.jpg\" class=\"attachment-cta size-cta wp-post-image\" alt=\"A mother holding her baby in front of her and cradling the baby&#039;s head in her hands.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/mom-cradling-new-born-baby-CO.jpg 360w, https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/mom-cradling-new-born-baby-CO-300x250.jpg 300w, https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/mom-cradling-new-born-baby-CO-120x100.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t<\/aside>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/article>\n\n\n\n<section id=\"block_7389e45e06f2738cb4ea5cb053f2add8\" class=\"shs-block block-section grid-container has-blue-light-background-color\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-content\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions About the Temporary Pause in Services<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why is labor and delivery pausing at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A series of\u202fOB-GYN\u202fphysician\u202fdepartures\u202facross the Valley\u2013including the resignation of physicians at\u202fSamaritan Lebanon\u202fCommunity Hospital\u202fand the discontinuation of\u202fOB-GYN\u202fservices at another regional practice\u2013has\u202fcreated a significant staffing gap.\u202fDespite an intensified nationwide recruitment effort and pursuit of temporary coverage options, we have not secured\u202fthe continuous\u202finpatient\u202fphysician coverage\u202frequired\u202fto safely\u202fsupport\u202fdeliveries. Patient safety is our highest priority, and without\u202faround-the-clock\u202fcoverage, we cannot\u202fsafely\u202foperate\u202flabor and delivery services.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Is this a permanent closure\u202fof the Girod Birth Center?<\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No. This is a temporary pause, not a closure. We\u202fremain\u202ffully committed to restoring labor and delivery services in Lebanon as quickly and safely as\u202fstaffing availability allows.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>When will the pause begin and how long will it last?\u202f<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Labor and delivery services will pause starting January\u202f15, 2026.\u202fWe\u202fare\u202fhopeful services may\u202fresume as early as April 2026, but this depends on\u202fsuccessfully\u202fsecuring\u202fappropriate\u202fand continuous\u202fclinical\u202fcoverage.\u202fIn the meantime, pregnant patients should plan to use the birth centers in Albany or Corvallis.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Will outpatient\u202fOB-GYN\u202fcare continue in Lebanon?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes. Outpatient\u202fOB-GYN\u202fservices will\u202fcontinue on\u202fa limited basis at the Lebanon Health Center\u202flocated\u202fon Fifth Street.\u202fAdditional\u202foutpatient\u202fOB-GYN\u202fservices are available in Sweet Home,\u202fAlbany\u202fand Corvallis.\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why can\u2019t Samaritan continue operating labor and delivery intermittently?<\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Labor and delivery services require continuous, predictable physician coverage to be safe. Operating intermittently or going on and off diversion would create confusion and risk for families, who would not know when it is safe to come to the hospital. Clinical and nursing leaders\u202fdetermined\u202fthat a temporary pause is the safest\u202foption\u202funtil adequate staffing is secured.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is being done to solve the staffing challenge?<\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Samaritan has\u202fexpanded recruiting efforts to\u202finclude\u202fan extensive nationwide search,\u202foutreach\u202fto\u202fstaffing agencies, independent clinicians,\u202fhealth\u202fsystems\u202fand other temporary coverage options.\u202fThese efforts\u202fare ongoing and will continue\u202funtil safe staffing is secured.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How will patients be supported during this time?\u202f<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Safe transfer protocols are in place for urgent\u202fand emergent\u202fsituations\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Highly trained labor and delivery\u202fnurses\u202fwill\u202fremain\u202fonsite\u202fto\u202fassist\u202fwith obstetric emergencies\u202fin the\u202femergency department\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Expectant parents will receive\u202findividualized\u202foutreach and support to\u202fhelp transition care to Albany or Corvallis\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Samaritan is\u202fpartnering with\u202fthe Oregon Nurses Association\u202fto explore\u202fopportunities to support existing nurses during this period-no\u202flayoffs will occur\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How will this affect other hospitals?<\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Samaritan\u202fAlbany\u202fGeneral Hospital\u202fand\u202fGood Samaritan Regional Medical Center\u202fwill see increased patient volume. Teams\u202fat those locations\u202fare preparing to\u202fensure\u202fsafe, compassionate care for all patients.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Does EMTALA still apply if a hospital is on&nbsp;OB&nbsp;diversion?\u202f<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes. EMTALA applies to all pregnant\u202fpatients\u202fpresenting to the ED, including those in active labor or with pregnancy-related emergencies, regardless of the hospital\u2019s OB service status.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What if the hospital cannot stabilize\u202fa patient\u202fduring OB\u202fdiversion?\u202f<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If\u202fpatient\u202fstabilization\u202fisn\u2019t\u202fpossible within the hospital\u2019s capabilities,\u202fan appropriate transfer\u202fto a facility with OB services is\u202frequired.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Where can patients and staff find updates?\u202f<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Updates will be\u202fshared\u202fdirectly with patients,\u202fstaff\u202fand the community as this situation evolves.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why is this happening now?<\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This pause follows a series of unexpected\u202fphysician\u202fdepartures combined with a nationwide\u202fOB-GYN\u202fshortage. Despite\u202fextensive recruitment efforts, we cannot safely\u202fmaintain\u202flabor and delivery services\u202fwithout adequate\u202fand continuous clinician\u202fcoverage.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is Samaritan\u2019s long-term commitment to\u202fOB-GYN\u202fservices?<\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Our commitment\u202fremains\u202fstrong. Earlier this year, we held more than 70 listening sessions and publicly reaffirmed our promise to\u202fmaintain\u202flabor and delivery services at all five Samaritan hospitals. That commitment has not changed.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Samaritan announced that labor and delivery services at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital will be temporarily paused beginning Jan. 15, 2026, due to a\u202fsignificant regional\u202fshortage of\u202fOB-GYN\u202fphysicians.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":65555,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","_shs_workflow_notes":"","_shs_exclude_from_navigation":false,"_shs_promote_article_on_blogs":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"news-topics":[491,496,493],"news-types":[272],"services":[252],"specialty":[36],"class_list":["post-65550","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","news-topics-about","news-topics-community","news-topics-facility","news-types-news","services-obstetrics-gynecology","specialty-obstetrics"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65550","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=65550"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65550\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/65555"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=65550"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=65550"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=65550"},{"taxonomy":"news-topics","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-topics?post=65550"},{"taxonomy":"news-types","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-types?post=65550"},{"taxonomy":"services","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/services?post=65550"},{"taxonomy":"specialty","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/specialty?post=65550"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}