Neighboring hospitals hire bankrupt Bay Area Regional's ex-employees

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - Monday was a busy day for job fairs, as several hospitals look to scoop up the nurses and staff who were abruptly laid off Friday at Bay Area Regional Medical Center.

Bay Area Regional announced it is closing and filing for bankruptcy, leaving about 700 people out of work.

Clear Lake Regional Medical Center across the street hosted its first of three days of job fairs Monday, extending 90 job offers on the first day, according to a spokeswoman.

Methodist also opened its doors to the ex-employees of Bay Area Regional with a job fair Monday, making 20 job offers so far, according to a spokeswoman.

“We had some calls that the [Bay Area Regional] had given notice to all their employees, and so we very quickly put together this job fair,” said Sherri Sampson, HR Director for Houston Methodist St. John.

Laid off medical staffers say they heard about the career fairs over the weekend via email and social media.

“We’re just happy that we have an opportunity to continue with our lives, because at the end of the day, we have bills to pay, we have families at home, and we love nursing,” said Karla Almaraz, a laid off Bay Area Regional nurse.

A Bay Area Regional spokesman says the hospital officially closed over the weekend, when the last of the patients were transferred out. They’ll file for bankruptcy this week.

“Stuff happens, and you hope for the best,” said Dennis Achoka, a laid off Bay Area Regional staffer. “It’s gonna get better, so we still have hope, and we're gonna make it.”

Hospital officials say it's best to apply online first, and be sure to bring an updated resume with you.

Houston-area job fairs:

CHI St. Luke's Health Patients Medical Center
Pasadena, TX

Tuesday, May 8: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Thursday, May 10: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

CHRISTUS Health System
Recruitment event at Staybridge Suites on 501 Texas Avenue in Webster, TX 77598

Mon, May 14: 9: a.m. to 4 p.m.

Clear Lake Regional Medical Center
Job Fair for positions at HCA's 14 Houston-area hospitals. Searcy Auditorium on the first floor of Clear Lake Regional Medical Center's Heart and Vascular Hospital, 495 Medical Center Blvd, Webster, TX.

Monday, May 7: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday, May 8: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wednesday, May 9: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Houston Methodist

Holiday Inn-Webster, Orion Ballroom, 302 West Bay Area Blvd., Webster, TX