Medford's Hallmark Health to Cut 57 Positions

MEDFORD, MA – Hallmark Health will lay off 57 workers as part of cost-cutting efforts for Fiscal Year 2017.

Hallmark President and CEO Alan Macdonald announced the cuts in a memo to employees Wednesday, first published by Wicked Local. He said the layoffs were necessary to help achieve $16 million in operational savings in FY17.

According to the Boston Globe, the layoffs include staff in administrative, managerial and patient care positions across Hallmark's locations, which include hospitals and health centers in Medford, Malden, Melrose and the surrounding areas.

"Without any question, this is a very difficult decision for Hallmark Health," Macdonald wrote. "Every effort has been made to limit the number of layoffs as much as possible. We value so much the work and contribution by each and every employee."

Macdonald said some of the cuts were made at the start of the fiscal year, with the bulk coming Wednesday and Thursday. A few will be made in January.

He added that the company attempted to mitigate the number of impacted positions by leaving openings unfilled and reducing hours when possible.

Hallmark is in the process of finalizing a merger with Wellforce, the parent company of Tufts Medical Center, Wicked Local reported.

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