Slippery Rock University chose Allegheny Health Network (AHN) to become the third-party service provider of the Student Health Center beginning in January.
Nurses currently employed at the Center may apply to work under AHN as staying in their positions next semester is not automatically guaranteed.
University human resources (HR) informed nurses’ union representative Anthony Lazzari of the decision via a phone call on Oct. 2.
Lazzari and all nurses on staff were invited to a meeting on Oct. 3 with HR, interim director of Student Health Services (SHS) Brian Mortimer and Vice President of Student Affairs David Wilmes.
“The nurses are heartbroken,” Lazzari said. On Sept. 13, the union submitted an alternate plan involving no outsourcing for the university’s consideration. The plan intended to lower costs of maintaining in-house SHS.
“[The university] stated that it was purely economic,” Lazzari said of the decision to outsource with AHN.
The university’s unpublished announcement states that “AHN has a proven track record of providing high-quality student health services to colleges and universities throughout western PA.” Lazzari is unaware of any campuses in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) that have outsourced to AHN.
SRU plans to make an official announcement Friday. The Rocket will continue to provide updates on this story.
