In an unexpected turn of events, Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) faced backlash after posting a controversial message on Facebook on the same day that Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire and St. Joseph's Hospital in Chippewa Falls closed their doors. The post, which highlighted the importance of hospitals in our communities, was swiftly deleted less than an hour after it went live.

The now-deleted Facebook post, made on Friday, discussed HSHS's participation in the Wisconsin Hospital Association's Advocacy Day. The post proudly mentioned that HSHS President and CEO Damond Boatwright, along with other HSHS leaders, attended the event to "champion the importance of hospitals in our communities and address critical issues like workforce shortages."

This announcement, however, struck a nerve with many within the community as it coincided with the closure of Sacred Heart Hospital at 7 a.m. and the impending closure of St. Joseph's Hospital at noon. The timing of the post was seen as insensitive, leading to numerous social media comments and messages expressing disappointment and frustration towards HSHS.

The Facebook post also included a link to a full release about the Advocacy Day event held on Wednesday at the State Capitol. Despite its brevity online, the post managed to attract attention and cause an uproar among both hospital staff and concerned community members.

HSHS, aware of the mounting criticism, quickly removed the post in an attempt to mitigate the ongoing backlash. However, the damage seemed to have already been done, leaving many feeling that the deletion was merely an attempt to save face.

The closure of Sacred Heart Hospital and St. Joseph's Hospital, which had been announced previously, have left a void in the healthcare landscape of Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls. The closures have prompted an outpouring of support for the affected hospital employees and concern from community members about the impact on local healthcare access.

As the controversy continues to swirl, HSHS has yet to release an official statement addressing the deleted Facebook post or the timing of its publication. As the community grapples with the loss of these medical facilities, there is a pressing need for open communication and transparency regarding the future of healthcare in the region.

The closure of Sacred Heart Hospital and St. Joseph's Hospital underscores the challenges faced by healthcare providers in smaller communities and the significance of these institutions for local residents.