Dominican Pharmacy to Close

By Jondi Gumz

Dominican Plaza Pharmacy, located inside Dominican Hospital, will close effective July 31, according to Dominican’s parent, Dignity Health and Common Spirit.

The decision become public as construction began on a drive-through 24-hour CVS Pharmacy approved in 2020 at 1505 and 1515 Commercial Way, across from the hospital.

Common Spirit spokeswoman Lindsay Leszczynski said, “The decision to close the outpatient pharmacy was not made lightly, as we recognize the important role the pharmacy played in providing our inpatients with discharge medications and filling the communities’ prescriptions.

However, as the healthcare landscape continues to shift post-COVID, it is incumbent on us to continuously assess our resources and allocate them in the most efficient ways to ensure the viability of the high-quality, mission-driven care we provide.”

The last day to fill a prescription at the Dominican Plaza Pharmacy is July 24. Patients with automatic refills will be transferred to a local pharmacy of their choice.

For employees impacted by the closure, Dignity Health is working with them to identify opportunities elsewhere in the organization, Leszczynski said.

She added that Dignity Health is in the early process of evaluating future use of the pharmacy space and will share more information as it becomes available.

Dominican Hospital got county approval in 2021 for a parking garage and surgery center but has not begun construction.

Leszczynski said the financial impact of the pandemic “has impacted or slowed some of our expansion projects. However, we remain steadfast in our commitment to bringing these projects to fruition and look forward to providing an updated timeline soon.” n

Jobs in Santa Cruz County

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Unemployment in Santa Cruz County at 5.7% is down from April, when it was 6% but up from a year ago, when it was 4.1%.

Rains and flooding in March took a toll on the ag sector, with 600 jobs lost, compared to a year ago.

Private education and health services had the biggest gain, followed by leisure and hospitality, with seasonal increases.

The labor force at 135,700 was bigger than in April and there were 300 fewer unemployed people.

The city of Capitola has been recruiting an account clerk. Gayle Bakery & Rosticceria needs experienced retail staff. Safe at Home Senior Care needs a front desk receptionist.

Kohl’s is recruiting a store manager. Bay Federal Credit Union is recruiting a vice president of risk management.

Trader Joe’s needs crew for the evening shift.

Source: California Employment Development Department

During the pandemic in 2020, unemployment hovered around 17% in 2020, fueled by state restrictions. n