Tulare Regional Medical Center seeking investors to reopen hospital, date still to be determined

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The lights have been out at Tulare Regional Medical Center for over a month but families are far from discouraged.

Instead, they crammed into the hospital's regular board meeting Wednesday. Taking the chance to start anew, personally.

"I think they are amazing, I think their heart and soul is into opening up this hospital, and I want to come back," said former employee Nancy Korovilas.

Since the old management group was ousted, the new interim CEO has already taken steps to reopen the hospital, ER, and clinics.

"We're very positive about the future of the hospital, we think there is a tremendous need in the community," said Interim CEO Larry Blitz

So far, more than 500 people have applied for jobs, physicians have expressed a desire to return.

Management is preparing to present their budget to potential investors. They need those funds to reopen.

"We're not going to hire people to start if we don't have the money to start. We will have the money to start, it's just a question of when and as soon as possible," said Blitz.

A crowd came to cheer on the board, but also to hold them responsible. Former employees say past financial mistakes cannot be made again.

"You can have the best doctors and nurses and bricks and mortars, but if you don't have that strong financial nucleus, it's going to happen again," said Nancy Korovilas.

As soon as investors fund the hospital, a skeleton crew can be hired. A date for that milestone is still too early to announce.