Boone Hospital job fair is raising hopes for Pinnacle employees

BOONVILLE. Mo. (KMIZ)

Pinnacle Regional Hospital closed its doors Wednesday, citing economic hardships, leaving its employees jobless and Boonville without a hospital.

Boone Hospital hosted a job fair for Pinnacle employees Tuesday in the Pinnacle Regional Hospital lobby.

Bryan Haberberer, a former Pinnacle employee, said the Boone Hospital job fair is raising hopes for the employees moving forward.

"Something like this is a little overwhelming," Haberberer said. "It's lifting us up. People that are walking in here are Pinnacle employees and there's a lot of smiles and positive outlooks in this building right now."

Boone human resources vice president Michelle Zvanut said Boone is looking to expand and has about 100 jobs available. The openings range include clinical, non-clinical and support positions.

Zvanut said some applicants were hired on the spot at the job fair Tuesday.

"I've been speaking with some of the displaced employees who say they are still in a little bit of a shock about being displaced," Zvanut said. "They weren't expecting this to happen and they are mourning their loss, but they're also really future-focused."

Check back for more on this developing story and watch ABC 17 News at six.