The Southwest Hospital System board will hold a meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday for an update from the community and the board about the state of the hospital and status of the birthing center.

The meeting comes after the June 19 announcement that the Southwest Memorial Hospital birthing center would remain open, despite a news release that declared its impending closure on June 7.

The birthing center would have taken its last laboring patient on June 28, before fully closing July 1.

Since the announcement that the birthing center would remain open, the hospital also announced its new CEO Joe Theine on June 20, following the resignation of interim CEO David Faulkner.

On Tuesday, community members and retired physician Kent Akin addressed the Montezuma County Board of County Commissioners, which was followed by a presentation by representatives from the SHS board and “interim interim” CEO Gene Miller.

The commissioners expressed their concerns about the direction the hospital was headed, and requested a meeting with both hospital boards.

The board meeting Wednesday, June 28 at 5 p.m. is open to the community.

The Journal will cover tonight’s meeting and provide more information when available