LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — About 36 staff at College Medical Heart have been laid off, based on a union spokesperson, whereas on the similar time the hospital’s chief govt acquired a bonus.
On Tuesday, the Clark County Board of Commissioners voted on a $296,371 merit-based bonus for Mason Van Houweling, the chief govt for UMC, and mentioned the potential for round 100 job cuts on the hospital.
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“I have no way to explain this in my own mind,” Clark County Commissioner April Becker mentioned. “For how you jump in ten years from a $220,000 salary to a million dollar salary and then a $250,000 bonus when you are letting other people go.”
Becker was the one vote towards the bonus, which is written into Van Houweling’s contract as a part of an incentive for assembly the county’s goals.
“Commissioner Becker, really came to the rescue and did the right thing,” Michelle Maese, president of the SEIU Native 1107, mentioned.
Maese mentioned Van Houweling known as the employees’ union just lately to allow them to know the hospital could be shedding round 100 staff, fifty within the SEIU bargaining unit.
“Members left here, I mean, just crying,” Maese mentioned.
After the assembly, Maese mentioned they have been capable of save round fifty jobs, however added the hospital has already let go of 36 staff.
“The UMC Board of Governors is failing the Clark County taxpayers,” Elizabeth Bolhouse, a 26-year UMC worker, mentioned. “They have a fiduciary duty to work in the best interest for UMC hospital, the county owns UMC. UMC is a jewel in Clark County’s crown.”
Bolhouse mentioned the workload for workers has solely compounded with the passing of the “Big Beautiful Bill” which she mentioned heightened productiveness requirements.
“Which meant that our staffing got tightened, so we were having to do more with less staff, even when we voiced concern,” she mentioned. “And, as a result, nurses aren’t getting full paychecks, full hours, but our CEO is getting a full paycheck and a very healthy bonus.”
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April Becker responded to an 8 Information Now request for remark relating to her vote and he or she highlighted her disagreement with the bonus quantity.
“I want a government that operates with common sense,” Becker wrote. “The fact that one hundred families are facing layoffs, while the CEO is receiving a nearly $300,000 bonus, is as mind-blowing as it is callous. My only hope now is that the attention this is receiving ensures these layoffs do not happen.”
UMC Chief Human Sources Officer launched the next assertion to eight Information Now Thursday night.
“UMC CEO Mason Van Houweling receives commensurate compensation when compared to other hospital CEOs in Nevada and across the nation. This is especially true when considering UMC’s success over the past 11 years and Van Houweling’s instrumental role in the revitalization of Nevada’s largest public hospital. According to an in-depth compensation survey, Van Houweling’s total compensation, including benefits, falls slightly below the 25th percentile for hospital CEOs. In addition, his salary and benefits remain comparable to those of chief executives at other large, complex public health care systems across the nation. In 2025, the average UMC employee received a salary increase of 6.6 to 7.5 percent, depending on their individual performance. Van Houweling’s salary increase of 7.1 percent remains firmly in line with the average for all UMC team members. As all hospitals across the nation face new challenges due to recent federal legislation, Van Houweling and UMC’s executive team continue to collaborate with their trusted team members and partners from SEIU Local 1107 to develop innovative cost-saving measures. Van Houweling and his team continue to do everything in their power to minimize the need for future staffing adjustments. UMC leadership is reviewing every expense and every contract, line by line, to identify opportunities for cost savings. This includes analyzing supply costs, equipment rental fees and a variety of other expenses. Some components of HR1 will go into effect on January 1, 2026. With only months remaining, this is no longer a hypothetical challenge. Van Houweling’s collaborative approach to facing these new challenges will preserve UMC’s financial stability while maintaining the world-class care it provides for community members.”
