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Recent reprieves and last-minute cash influxes have seemingly not been enough to save Crozer Health as Prospect Medical Holdings -- the company that owns Delaware County's largest health network -- has definitively said the health system will close.

In a letter sent to employees on Monday, Prospect Medical Holdings announced that Crozer Health was ceasing operations and they would be laying off about 2,651 workers.

The company later released an official statement Monday afternoon:

“Today, Prospect Medical Holdings made the extremely difficult decision to begin winding down operations across our Crozer Health facilities. The ambulatory surgery and imaging centers at Brinton Lake, Broomall, Haverford, and Media will remain open.

"PMH recognizes the impact this action will have on patients as well as team members. We’ve worked tirelessly with the Pennsylvania Attorney General and other parties to do everything possible to prevent this outcome. Unfortunately, we were unable to reach a viable alternative. At this time, the focus at Crozer Health remains on seamlessly transitioning patients to other health facilities so that they can continue to receive the critical, uninterrupted care they require, and to support Crozer Health team members as they seek to identify other employment opportunities.”

Later on Monday in a statement, the receivership said it had ended as of Friday, April 18, 2025:

"Today, Prospect Medical Holdings will file closure notices and begin the process of winding down Crozer Health and all of its operations. As Court appointed receiver, we are disappointed an alternative resolution and sale could not be reached. Any questions regarding the closure—including the transitioning of patients and future of Crozer Health’s affected employees—should be directed to Prospect Medical Holdings.

"We are thankful to all those who came forward and offered potential solutions to sustain operations, as well as the patients who put their trust in Crozer Health and the dedicated employees who have continued to show up at work leading up to and throughout this process to provide the care and comfort patients need.”

Monday's announcement means that the fight to keep two Crozer Health System facilities -- the Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Chester and Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park -- from closing is now over and they will likely be shuttered and sold.

According to the letter, Prospect Medical Holdings had been working with the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office to find new owners for Crozer-Chester Medical Center and Taylor Hospital, but the company learned on Friday that no prospective buyer would move forward with a purchase.

The company also noted that on April 17, 2025, they learned that an offer from the University of Pennsylvania Health System, that would have provided $5 million in funding to allow for a further extension of time for Prospect to find a purchaser for these hospitals, would not come through.

"As a result of the unforeseen circumstances described above, Prospect is forced to close operations and permanently lay off the Pennsylvania employees listed below," the company wrote in their letter.

The letter said that 2,651 workers from across eight facilities would be laid off:

The letter said that these layoffs would be permanent and are expected to happen between April 25 and May 2, 2025.

The letter did not note when closure procedures for the hospitals would begin.

Reaction pours in as Crozer closure looms

Upon learning of the decision to cease operations, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said that the move comes as a "result of [Prospect Medical Holding's] greed and mismanagement."

“Prospect Medical Holdings, the for-profit owner of Crozer Health, pillaged these hospitals for their own gain – and today, we see the result of their greed and mismanagement with the announced closure and loss of critical health care services for the people of Delaware County," said Shapiro in a statement. "My Administration has worked tirelessly for more than two years alongside the Office of Attorney General, state legislators, and local government – committing millions of dollars to support Crozer and its workers while ensuring not one penny of taxpayer money be used to enrich Prospect. Now, we will keep working closely with our local partners to support the workers who have served so many families and patients and continue fighting for the patients who have been harmed by Prospect's greed. Prospect caused this crisis, and they must be held accountable for their reckless actions that have led to today’s announcement. Their conduct and mismanagement must be fully reviewed in the bankruptcy legal process to hold them to account under the law, and we must ensure this never happens again by passing legislation to get private equity out of the health care business in Pennsylvania, as I proposed in my budget address earlier this year.”

The mayor of Upper Darby Township, Ed Brown, announced that the town is working on figuring out a different emergency services "model" to make sure residents have access to care.

The township is planning to "share in the cost" of its new EMS model, officials said.

“We believe the long-term solution for sustainable, high-quality EMS service lies in a regional approach among neighboring Delaware County communities,” Mayor Ed Brown said. “I have directed our Chief Administrative Officer and team to actively pursue this collaborative strategy, though we recognize it will take time to develop.”

Philadelphia, PA (April 20, 2025) – At least four people were injured late Saturday evening when a vehicle drove into a group of pedestrians during an Easter Carnival in South Philadelphia. The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. at the event hosted by the Southeast Youth Athletic Association.

First responders, including paramedics and fire crews, worked to assist those suffering from injuries after the collision. Among the injured was the driver of the vehicle, whose condition and identity have not been disclosed at this time. The carnival, held annually, had drawn a large crowd of families and children, adding to the urgency of the emergency response.

Authorities quickly secured the scene following the incident, and multiple victims were transported to local hospitals with a variety of injuries. The extent of those injuries has not yet been publicly confirmed. Attendees were left stunned as emergency services moved swiftly to care for the wounded and ensure the area was safe.

At this point, the cause of the crash remains under investigation by Philadelphia law enforcement officials. It is unclear whether the incident was the result of a medical emergency, mechanical issue, or other factor. More details are expected as the investigation continues.

Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragic event.

Pedestrian-Involved Crashes at Public Events in Pennsylvania

Crashes involving pedestrians at public gatherings such as festivals and carnivals are particularly alarming due to the potential for multiple injuries and the emotional toll on communities. The Easter Carnival incident in South Philadelphia is a somber reminder of how quickly such festive occasions can turn tragic.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, pedestrian injuries account for a significant percentage of the state’s serious traffic-related incidents. Public events, with their dense foot traffic and irregular traffic patterns, require strict safety measures to protect attendees from vehicle access, especially during nighttime hours when visibility is reduced.

Philadelphia has experienced several high-profile pedestrian incidents in recent years, prompting calls for more robust crowd control and barrier placement at large public events. Event organizers and city planners are encouraged to review safety procedures and consider strategies to better manage vehicle access and response readiness.

Injuries from vehicle-pedestrian collisions often lead to long-term consequences, including extended medical care, emotional trauma, and financial hardship. For those impacted, it’s essential to seek support, document all medical and emotional damages, and explore legal options to ensure accountability and compensation.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a crash, reach out to Local Accident Reports for assistance.

Chef Chutatip "Nok" Suntaranon of Kalaya and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts were featured on TIME's list of influential people.

Max Bennett, Patch Staff

PHILADELPHIA — Two notable Philadelphia figures were recently named among TIME Magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

The annual TIME100 list is out, and among figures such as President Donald Trump, musician Ed Sheeran, and surgeon and humanitarian Dr. Robert Montgomery are a Philadelphia chef and a sports star.

They are Chef Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon of Kalaya and Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts.

"Nok’s Thai cuisine embodies everything she’s gone through and everything she’s worked for, which means that her dishes are vibrant, personal, and full of flavor," Chef Michael Solomonov, of Zahav and Federal Donuts fame, wrote about Suntaranon in TIME. "Nok lights up any room that she enters, and her Philly restaurant, Kalaya, is no exception. She’s given everyone in the city the ability to experience an incredible meal in a beautiful space, something truly special. Eating Nok’s food—and being her friend—is a very visceral, delicious experience."

Philadelphians can celebrate with Suntaranon May 3 at Bok Building’s Two Persons Coffee from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. where she will be hosting a cookbook event in partnership with Binding Agents. There will be a brief talk with Suntaranon and co-author Natalie Jesionka, drinks, light bites from Kalaya, and time to mingle and get books signed. Tickets available online here.

Find out what's happening in Philadelphiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Former New York Yankees star short stop Derek Jeter penned the editorial about Hurts, who was named the MVP in Super Bowl LIX after a decisive victory over the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs.

"I admire how great athletes deal with both success and failure," Jeter wrote. "What Jalen Hurts went through in being benched during the 2018 National Championship game would break a lot of people down. But not Jalen; he focused on what he could control and found a new path to success. In the NFL, Jalen didn’t let a Super Bowl defeat in 2023 shake his confidence. He used that loss as motivation and kept a picture of himself walking off the field after losing as his phone lock screen."

See TIME's full list of the 100 most influential people in the world online here.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

Crozer-Chester Medical Center and Taylor Hospital in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, will close after months of uncertainty, according to Prospect Medical Holdings, the parent company of Crozer Health.

A federal bankruptcy judge in Texas authorized Prospect's plan to close Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Taylor Hospital and an unspecified number of outpatient facilities and practices across Delaware County.

"The road in front of us is now clear with what we have to do," Judge Stacey Jernigan said during Tuesday's hearing. "I just hate the widespread consequences here. I lose sleep over this case. Unfortunately, it looks like the only option before us is closure."

Thousands of employees who work for Crozer Health received emails Monday morning stating that the system will be shutting down despite efforts to find a buyer to assume ownership of the Crozer Health system.

When are Crozer Health hospitals closing?

Prospect Medical Holdings filed a motion Monday to close Crozer Health and outpatient facilities in the United States Bankruptcy Court in Northern Texas. The California-based Prospect expects the full closure of the hospitals to be complete within 30 days.

Prospect said it made the "extremely difficult decision to begin winding down operations" across Crozer Health. The emails notifying thousands of employees of layoffs were sent in compliance with the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988.

The WARN Act is a federal law that requires any employer with 100 or more employees to notify employees, unions and local government officials before any closing or mass layoff.

According to the motion filed in court, patients will begin being diverted from the emergency department starting at 8 a.m. Wednesday, and the hospitals will cease inpatient admissions.

A spokesperson said the ambulatory surgery and imaging centers at Brinton Lake, Broomall, Haverford and Media will stay open.

"PMH recognizes the impact this action will have on patients as well as team members. We've worked tirelessly with the Pennsylvania Attorney General and other parties to do everything possible to prevent this outcome," a Prospect spokesperson said in a statement. "Unfortunately, we were unable to reach a viable alternative. At this time, the focus at Crozer Health remains on seamlessly transitioning patients to other health facilities so that they can continue to receive the critical, uninterrupted care they require, and to support Crozer Health team members as they seek to identify other employment opportunities."

A federal bankruptcy judge approved Prospect's plan to close the health system Tuesday.

Prospect closed two other hospitals, Delaware County Memorial Hospital and Springfield Hospital, in 2022.

What happens now?

Monday's news comes after months of state officials and regional health systems in the area fighting to prevent Crozer Health's closure. Pennsylvania state Sen. Tim Kearney said the commonwealth, county and the Foundation for Delaware County spent $40 million to keep the Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland and Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park open, but there's no money left.

Nearby hospitals like ChristianaCare Wilmington Hospital in Delaware, Riddle Hospital in Media and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in University City are preparing to absorb Crozer Health's patients.

"Main Line Health is prepared to care for the patients impacted by the announced Crozer Health closing," a Main Line Health spokesperson said in a statement, adding the health system is awaiting closure plans from Prospect.

In a statement, a Penn Medicine spokesperson said Prospect rejected a $5 million offer last week to support Crozer Health and buy "certain assets associated with Crozer's Broomall and Brinton Lake outpatient facilities."

"Our offer also included the transfer of leases for these facilities," the statement said. "This plan would have allowed uninterrupted operations for patients to receive both primary care and care by specialists, including oncologists, cardiologists and orthopedics, while retaining doctors, nurses and staff, and ensured thousands of already-scheduled appointments could proceed.

"We are deeply disappointed by this decision, which will have negative impacts for patients and displace many talented health care professionals at a time when health care needs in the community are only increasing. Our doors are open to patients and to the dedicated Crozer employees, and our health system remains committed to the Delaware County community and to working alongside local providers, community leaders, and policymakers to preserve health care in the region."

Kearney said Prospect's decision to close Crozer Health is a "devastating and disgraceful blow to our communities, our health care workers, and every patient who has ever relied on our local hospital system."

"Prospect is willfully closing Crozer Health after state and local officials, regional health systems and philanthropic partners exhausted their ability and financial resources to salvage the hospital system," Kearney said in a statement. "Yet again, Prospect decided to put profits over patients by putting Crozer's assets up for auction."

Following Prospect's announcement, Delaware County declared a seven-day disaster emergency to help provide immediate support to those impacted in the county.

"Delaware County is also in the process of filing an objection to Prospect's closure motion, which is deeply inadequate and does not comply with local law," the county wrote in a press release.

Last week, Ridley Park declared an emergency in the event of a shutdown.

With Crozer Health closing, Delaware County will have just two emergency rooms for the 576,000 people who call the county home: Riddle Hospital in Middletown Township and Mercy-Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby.

"Where do they go?"

Peggy Malone, the president of the Crozer-Chester Nurses Association, called the closure of the two hospitals "sickening," echoing the sentiment many others shared with CBS News Philadelphia on Monday. Many believe the closure will be devastating, with health care workers losing their jobs and patients having to travel farther to receive critical health care.

"It makes us so angry and so sick to our stomachs that nothing changes today," Malone said. "Where are these people going to go? And maybe the surrounding hospitals will take the patients we have. But we have been saying this all along. Where do they go tomorrow? Where do they go next week?"

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro placed blame directly on Prospect for the closure of the Crozer Health system, saying the decision was the result of "greed and mismanagement."

"Prospect caused this crisis, and they must be held accountable for their reckless actions that have led to today's announcement," Shapiro said in a statement. "Their conduct and mismanagement must be fully reviewed in the bankruptcy legal process to hold them to account under the law, and we must ensure this never happens again by passing legislation to get private equity out of the health care business in Pennsylvania, as I proposed in my budget address earlier this year."

The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General said it's "deeply disappointed" by Prospect's decision.

"Along with the governor's office and other state and local leaders, we worked tirelessly to avoid this outcome. Unfortunately, the damage inflicted by Leonard Green & Partners — the private equity owners of Prospect — who prioritized their own wealth over the wellbeing of a community, was too much to overcome," the attorney general's office said in a statement.

"The heroic Crozer staff, who continued to provide top-quality care and services throughout this process, deserved a better outcome. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of our office, that resolution proved out of reach," the statement continued. "We will continue to work through the bankruptcy process to pursue the commonwealth's financial claims to the greatest extent possible in order to hold Prospect accountable for actions that caused this closure."

Call center for people impacted by Crozer Health closure

Prospect has established a dedicated call center to handle inquiries related to the hospital transition, including requests regarding patient transfers and care. The email address is [email protected], and the telephone number is: 888-801-2338.

Delco residents are encouraged to seek additional assistance through the Delaware County Health Department's Wellness Line at 484-276-2100.

Closure of Crozer Health system will impact nearby businesses

Businesses like Dolan's Bar in Ridley Park see a significant boost in business from the employees at Taylor Hospital on Chester Pike.

In March, CBS News Philadelphia reported that the potential closure of the health system was "nerve-wracking" for the nearby businesses.

PJ Dolan, the owner of Dolan's Bar, said that staff members visit his business frequently and that the closure will have a ripple effect on the community.

"It's sad and it's horrible for the town," Dolan said. "The problem is that the companies don't think about anybody in the community, and all they can think about is the bottom dollar."

Tom Dougherty

Tom Dougherty is a digital content producer for CBS Philadelphia. Before joining CBS Philadelphia, Tom covered sports for NBC Sports Philadelphia. He currently covers breaking news and sports.

Douglass Twp, PA (April 21, 2025) – First responders, including paramedics, assessed and treated individuals hurt in the crash after a multi-motorcycle accident occurred at approximately 3:48 p.m. on Sunday. The collision took place in Douglass Township, Montgomery County, near 1567 Philadelphia Ave in the Birdsboro area, and involved multiple motorcycles on the roadway.

Police Unit P34 and additional emergency crews quickly arrived on the scene to find several injured motorcyclists. The severity and number of injuries have not yet been officially released, but the response required immediate medical attention and incident stabilization. The area was cordoned off to allow responders to safely assist the victims and investigate the scene.

The nature of the incident suggests that riders may have been traveling in a group or nearby when the crash occurred, though officials have not yet confirmed the cause. The accident remains under investigation as authorities work to determine whether environmental factors, road conditions, or driver behavior contributed to the collision.

Our thoughts are with those involved in this incident, and we hope for a swift and complete recovery for the injured.

Motorcycle Safety and Group Riding Hazards in Pennsylvania

Crashes involving multiple motorcycles, such as the one on Philadelphia Ave in Douglass Township, often underscore the risks motorcyclists face when riding in groups. While group rides are a popular activity among motorcycle enthusiasts, they require coordination, discipline, and heightened awareness to ensure safety for all participants.

In Pennsylvania, motorcyclists are overrepresented in traffic fatalities compared to other vehicle types, and group riding incidents can quickly escalate due to the close spacing and speed often involved. Factors such as sudden braking, debris on the road, or miscommunication among riders can lead to chain-reaction crashes.

Montgomery County, home to a mix of rural routes and suburban roadways, is known for its scenic motorcycle routes, but also poses hazards, including winding roads and unpredictable traffic patterns. Riders are advised to follow best practices for group riding, such as staggering formation, maintaining safe following distances, and using clear signals to indicate stops or turns.

Wearing DOT-approved helmets, high-visibility clothing, and proper gear can significantly reduce the severity of injuries in the event of a crash. Motorcyclists are also encouraged to complete rider safety courses to improve their handling skills and prepare for unexpected challenges on the road.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a crash, reach out to Local Accident Reports for assistance.