OSF HealthCare has received state approval for its plans to cut back specialty services at its Urbana hospital, paving the way for most changes to be in place by 2026.
The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board granted OSF a permit to restructure operations at the Heart of Mary Medical Center and the Sacred Heart Medical Center in Danville.
OSF, citing operating losses and a desire to eliminate duplicate services available with other providers, has said the move will consolidate the two locations into one hospital with two campuses, allowing the organization to remove duplicate services and better use its resources.
In a statement, OSF spokesperson Tim Ditman said the organization is pleased with the state health board’s decision.
“This approval allows us to continue building on our commitment to providing high-quality health care for residents of Urbana and the surrounding communities,” he said.
Several departments, such as open-heart surgery, orthopedics, pulmonology and pediatric care will be reduced at the Urbana campus or relocated to Danville or Bloomington. Administrators said the restructuring will also expand behavioral health treatments at Heart of Mary.
Some community members were critical of OSF’s plan to scale back specialty services during an August public hearing in Urbana, saying the move would remove alternative healthcare options for those who need it.
Ditman said OSF is informing patients of their options. He said much of the restructuring at its Urbana and Danville hospitals will be complete by Jan. 1, 2026, but some changes, such as renovations to the emergency department and behavioral health wing, will continue into next year.