T-L Photo/SHELLEY HANSON U.S. SEN. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, is unimpressed with Alecto’s response to his letter regarding the fate of East Ohio Regional Hospital, shown here in Martins Ferry, and Ohio Valley Medical Center.

MARTINS FERRY — With an anticipated closure date of Oct. 7 looming, federal, state and local officials still are trying to keep East Ohio Regional Hospital open.

On Sept. 6, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio, sent a joint letter to executives of EORH in Martins Ferry and the now-closed Ohio Valley Medical Center in Wheeling, imploring them to try harder to find a buyer for the facilities.

In the letter addressed to Lex Reddy, CEO of Alecto Healthcare Services, and Daniel Dunmyer, president and CEO of East Ohio Regional Hospital, the legislators said they shared a “deep concern” about Alecto Healthcare Services’ decision to close the facilities.

“We encourage you to reconsider your timeline for the closure of EORH and continue to work with local stakeholders and the cities of Martins Ferry and Wheeling to identify, solicit, and confirm a successor for the critical care currently provided by both facilities prior to ending all operations,” the letter stated.

On Tuesday, Brown’s office said they had received a reply to the letter, but it was not what they were hoping for.

“Alecto Healthcare Services hasn’t provided anything constructive when it comes to doing right by the Martins Ferry community. Our office remains engaged with other local stakeholders in searching for ways to help this community, which shouldn’t have to suffer because this California company is cashing out and giving up on them two years after taking over the hospital,” a spokesman for Brown’s office said.

The closure of OVMC and pending closure of EORH has left many Ohio Valley residents in dismay. For decades, both hospitals operated as non-profits. For the past several years, the Ohio Valley Health and Education Corp., which owned EORH and OVMC, said they were struggling financially. When they chose Alecto to purchase the facilities in June 2017, they believed the company would take the facilities to new heights. Alecto made promises regarding renewal of services and upgrades of facilities. However, none came to fruition, officials have said.

In their original letter to Alecto, Brown and Johnson said, “While we appreciate that Alecto Healthcare Services has made attempts to identify a strategic partner or buyer for the hospitals over the past few months, it is critical that you not abandon this effort yet. We encourage you to pause the announced EORH closure timeline, continue to collaborate with local elected officials and stakeholders, and recommit to finding a potential means to continue operations at the hospital in a way that protects both hospitals’ patients as well as its dedicated employees.

“We remain ready to support your collective efforts to ensure a positive outcome for the residents of Martins Ferry, Ohio, and Wheeling, West Virginia, as a source of trusted care in the community for more than 100 years. Please do not hesitate to reach out if our offices can be of assistance.”