File photoSouth Georgia Medical Center dismissed several people in its patient financial services department Wednesday.

VALDOSTA — One of the region’s largest employers will soon have a slightly smaller workforce. 

South Georgia Medical Center said Wednesday that around 15 employees in the hospital’s financial services department have been let go. 

SGMC said in a prepared statement the reason for the downsizing is “explore options to improve efficiency and reduce costs,.”

The regional medical center paid out more than $143 million in employee wages and benefits in 2018 and employs more than 2,000 workers. 

The 15 employees were notified Wednesday they were being let go with 30 days pay, the statement said, adding that those workers who were released can explore other opportunities at SGMC, the statement said.

“We are modifying the workflow,” the hospital said. 

“While reducing a labor force can be difficult, the additional cost reductions are necessary to remain competitive, efficient and invest in our long-term growth. We are hopeful that these employees will be able to transfer into other available positions,” said Grant Byers, chief financial officer for the hospital.

SGMC, a 285-bed, acute-care hospital, had direct expenditures of more than $337,865,645 in 2017, the latest year for which data is available, according to a hospital statement. 

Also in 2017, South Georgia Medical Center pumped $790,166,384 into the local economy, and is touted as a major economic driver. The Georgia Hospital Association lists the economic impact of  Berrien and Lanier SGMC campuses at $38,618,876 for a system-wide economic impact of $828,785,260.

CEO Bill Forbes said in a separate statement Wednesday, “Not a day goes by that we are not trying to enhance healthcare delivery, optimize value and improve patient outcomes. We take our role in serving this community very seriously and we are working to be the very best.” 

Terry Richards is senior reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times.