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Read the press release here.

Protesters Demand New Medical Center at St. Vincent's Site

By Adam Nichols | October 17, 2010 3:29pm | Updated on October 18, 2010 6:23am
Protesters claim people have died because St. Vincent's Hospital was closed.
Protesters claim people have died because St. Vincent's Hospital was closed.
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Nina Mandell/DNAinfo

By Nina Mandell

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

GREENWICH VILLAGE — Six months after St. Vincent's Hospital closed its doors, campaigners are urging politicians to open another medical center on the site.

Demonstrators Sunday said people have died because the Greenwich Village hospital was shuttered.

"People have died going across town to the hospital,"  claimed Marisol Miro, who joined hundreds at the protest, organized by the group Coalition for a New Village Hospital.

"They closed the best hospital in the Village."

Since St. Vincent's closed, neighboring hospitals have reported a huge raise in emergency room use. Some staff have said the increase has left health provision in chaos.

Those who gathered Sunday voiced concern about how the valuable piece of real estate will be used.

A banner tells politicians that the community wants a medical center.
A banner tells politicians that the community wants a medical center.
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Nina Mandell/DNAinfo

"We don't need any more condos," she said, echoing a 
common chant at the rally. "We need a hospital."

Along with concerned residents, the rally was a gathering point for the medical center's former employees.

"It was really sad," said Janet Gardner, an operating room technician for seven years, as she remembered her last day at work.

She's been searching for another job since.

"We were like a family."

Politicians are urged to consider opening another medical center on the site.
Politicians are urged to consider opening another medical center on the site.
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Nina Mandell/DNAinfo