Shriners vote to keep hospital open

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The Shriners Hospital in Springfield will remain open.

The Emeritus Chairman of the Board of Directors for Springfield's Shriners hospital told 22News that Monday night, the Shriners voted to keep the hospital open.

Al Zippen says the Shriners did not make the two thirds vote to close the six hospitals under consideration.

Zippen says the Shriners also voted to continue finalizing hospital partnerships with neighboring medical centers, like Springfield's Shriners emerging partnership with Baystate Medical Center.

22News also spoke with Bernadette White, the public relations representative for the Springfield Shriners Hospital who said the final decision has not been made and that it is too early for the hospital to make an official statement on the matter.

Tonight's vote took place at the Shriner's national business session in San Antonio.