A s December settles over Haleyville, Alabama, the town is usually filled with familiar holiday rhythms—neighbors planning family gatherings, children counting down to Christmas morning, and local shops stringing lights along the streets. But in late 2017, the festive spirit was overshadowed by something no one expected.
Inside a meeting room at Lakeland Community Hospital, staff had just received devastating news: The hospital would close on December 31.
In an instant, holiday cheer gave way to shock and uncertainty. Instead of talking about Christmas dinners or New Year’s celebrations, conversations turned to urgent questions:
Can we stop this? What happens to our patients? What happens to us?
For Megan Welborn, Imaging Services Director, the news hit especially hard. Weeks earlier, her child had needed emergency care at Lakeland. With emotion tightening her voice, she wondered: “Is a town without a hospital where I want to live?”
Lakeland wasn’t just a hospital—it was a lifeline, an employer, and a place where neighbors cared for neighbors. Losing it, especially during the holidays, would have been an immeasurable blow to the community.
With only weeks left before closure, Mayor Ken Sunseri made a bold decision that embodied the season’s spirit of sacrifice and generosity: the town would purchase the hospital. It was an act of hope, but it wasn’t enough on its own. Lakeland still faced overwhelming debt and a long road to financial recovery.
The clock was ticking toward December 31.
In a late-night council meeting—while most families were wrapping gifts or baking holiday treats—Haleyville leaders crafted a plan to save their hospital. They approved a sales tax increase and committed to partnering with experienced experts who could quickly stabilize Lakeland’s operations.
MEDTEAM was among those called in. Their team stepped in immediately to manage business office functions, address unpaid bills, and implement a practical financial recovery plan.
The work was intense, urgent, and critical.
And just days before Christmas—when it mattered most—Lakeland was saved.
Lights stayed on. Care continued. And Haleyville’s families went into the holiday season knowing their community hospital would still be there when they needed it.
Lakeland’s story may feel like a holiday miracle, but many rural hospitals never get that chance. Since 2010, 134 rural hospitals have closed, each leaving behind a community struggling without local care.
But there is hope.
For more than 40 years, MEDTEAM has helped rural and community hospitals strengthen financial operations, stabilize revenue, and preserve access to care—especially in times of crisis.
If your organization is facing financial strain, or simply wants to get ahead of it, we’re here to help.
“When we call MEDTEAM, it is great that they are always on board working to help us, whatever the need is.” - Chief Nursing Officer
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