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The DeQueen Medical Center has officially closed and community leaders addressed concerns during a press conference held on Thursday. Sevier County Judge Greg Ray said the hospital had been declining for several months, with a lack of services and ownership issues contributing to the closure of the facility.
The hospital owner, Jorge Perez attempted to file bankruptcy in March. Sevier County won receivership of the hospital, however did not have enough time to turn things around. Steve Cole, the county’s rural development authority chair, said a legal team had worked the last six months to keep the hospital open. Thirty five employees also continued to work each day without a paycheck.
The current hospital in DeQueen will apply for a voluntary license suspension and county leaders would like to construct a new hospital. Cole said the county has to have a hospital and provide emergency services.
