Lakeside Health System has scheduled the first of what it hopes will be a series of community meetings about the big changes. Lakeside plans to eventually close its in-patient beds and its emergency room, and focus instead on outpatient services and long term care.

Lakeside expects to tentative close the emergency department on April 15th, and close the inpatient beds on April 22nd.

The changes are likely to also mean about 125 jobs will be cut. Lakeside officials say they hope to encourage continued dialogue with the community as they move to a new way of delivering health care.

The first neighborhood meeting is scheduled for next Thursday, February 28th, at the Sweden Senior Center starting at 6:30 p.m. The doors will open at 6pm.

 Community members who would like to share their thoughts and opinions may do so by emailing Lakeside at hereforyou@lakesidehealth.org or calling 395-6092.