In the spring of 2020, Shore Medical Center in Somers Point took the unusual step of asking employees to volunteer for layoffs. The hospital, like many across the country, was financially strained after canceling elective surgeries and routine visits due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

In an effort to avoid forced job cuts, Shore’s leadership offered the voluntary layoff program to non-clinical staff. Those who opted in kept their health insurance, with the hospital covering their contributions through early May.

At the same time, executives took voluntary pay cuts of up to 35%, and made donations to support the facility’s emergency fund.

Despite treating dozens of COVID-19 patients, Shore Medical Center did not qualify for federal relief funding due to not meeting the 100-patient minimum threshold. The hospital’s situation at the time underscored the broader struggles faced by community healthcare facilities during the early days of the pandemic.