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Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center disputed claims on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, that all nine neonatal doctors at its Medford, Oregon facility were abruptly terminated following a mandatory staff meeting, according to statements from hospital representatives and the Oregon Nurses Association reported by the Rogue Valley Times.
Asante Denies Abrupt Termination of Medford NICU Doctors
Rumors of the firings surfaced late Thursday evening, Jan. 29, 2026, after nursing staff flooded the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) with roughly a dozen panicked calls. According to ONA labor representative Misha Hernandez, hospital staff were allegedly informed during an evening meeting that all nine providers in the region’s sole neonatal intensive care unit were let go immediately, leaving current patients without assigned doctors. However, Asante spokesperson Desirae Myers firmly disputed these accounts in an email to the Rogue Valley Times late Friday afternoon, stating that all nine physicians remain actively employed by the health care system.
Future Staffing Plans and Regional Impact
While denying the immediate terminations, Asante acknowledged that changes are coming to the Medford facility. Myers stated that the hospital is actively exploring clinical partnerships with academic institutions and other regional providers to elevate and expand the neonatology program starting in July 2026. The health system maintained that current staffing levels will remain unchanged until those new operational plans take effect this summer. Myers did not immediately clarify whether the future roster will include the nine doctors currently listed on the hospital’s website.
The uncertainty has placed added stress on nurses who rely on clear communication lines to care for vulnerable infants. The Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center website indicates that its NICU serves nine different hospitals across Southern Oregon and Northern California. Dedicated neonatal transport teams travel to these referral hospitals to transfer at-risk infants back to Medford for specialized 24-hour care managed by board-certified neonatologists, nurses, and therapists.
Broader Operational Friction at Asante
The staffing dispute arrives amid a turbulent period for Asante’s leadership and regional facilities. Over the past two years, the health system faced heavy scrutiny following allegations involving a former nurse diverting liquid fentanyl, which triggered dozens of civil lawsuits. In December 2025, officials also confirmed controversial plans to convert the Asante Ashland Community Hospital and Birthing Center into a satellite facility of Rogue Regional Medical Center by May 2026, drawing sharp public backlash from community members citing a 2013 operational agreement.
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