PROVIDENCE – Lifespan, Rhode Island's largest employer and health system, has laid off a fifth of its executives in a move to reduce overhead and streamline operations, according to CEO John Fernandez. "Lifespan implemented a strategic restructure focused on creating a one-system, one-team approach, designed to reduce executive overhead and streamline operations," Fernandez said in a statement. Fernandez added that the layoffs will save Lifespan $6 million in fiscal 2025, allowing the health system to "allocate more resources directly to patient care and support areas." The C-suite sweep comes as Lifespan – which owns five hospitals in the state – is undergoing a rebranding agreement with Brown University to become "Brown University Health." The health system is also in the process of purchasing two hospitals in Massachusetts from Steward Health Care, which filed for bankruptcy in May, for $175 million.
