Springfield surgical clinic closes

Blue Valley Surgical Associates closed its Springfield office after its parent company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Overland Park, Kansas-based Pinnacle Healthcare System Inc. announced the closure in a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act filing published by the Missouri Division of Workforce Development on April 17.

The filing indicates layoffs were scheduled to start April 10 at the Blue Valley Surgical Associates clinic at 3238 S. National Ave., located in Medical Mile Plaza. Springfield's clinic had four employees.

Pinnacle Healthcare officials said in the filing that all of its Blue Valley clinics were closing, including locations in St. Louis, Kansas City and Columbia. The company also is closing and laying off employees at hospitals in Overland Park and Boonville, as well as its administrative offices.

"It is unknown at this time whether the closures will be temporary or permanent," the filing reads, noting 125 employees companywide were affected.

The filing cited the coronavirus pandemic for the closures, indicating at the time of the February bankruptcy filing, the actions were not planned.

Blue Valley Surgical Associates' website lists Ven Lam as the sole Springfield clinic provider. The clinics provide general and weight loss surgery, as well as pain management and other services.