SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) — South County Hospital is defending its care and services as more Rhode Islanders call for state intervention.

Concerned patients have formed "Save South County Hospital 2024," which aims to address the systemic issues and restore stability and accountability.

The patients gathered Thursday to call upon Gov. Dan McKee and Attorney General Peter Neronha to overhaul hospital management, specifically by removing CEO Aaron Robinson, Board of Trustees Chairman Joseph Matthews and Chief Medical Officer Keven Charpentier.

The movement stems from an urgent letter sent to the hospital's Board of Trustees last week, following the sudden exodus of nearly the entire oncology department.

Meanwhile, the hospital’s top executives pushed back, noting that federal regulators have rated the century-old hospital as a five-star facility.

“If it were so bad, how would that be possible?” Robinson told Target 12 during an interview last week. “How would we be achieving those results if it was such an awful place?”

Christine Siravo, who was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago, praised the treatment she received as someone who has been a South County Hospital patient for 55 years.

However, she said she personally can no longer endorse the hospital due to its internal strife.

"Recently, a friend of mine who has been diagnosed with cancer asked me for a recommendation. I was sad to say, don't go to South County Hospital," she explained. "I have no idea who will be there for you in the oncology department, or whether there will be any continuity of care. The doctors are all leaving and it's an uncertain, worrisome time."

Cancer survivor Pam Matteson also praised her oncologists, but said their departure was a significant loss for the hospital.

"These people would not have left unless they did everything they could," Matteson said. "I know that leaving their patients was probably the hardest decision they've ever had to make."

In response to the outcry, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the R.I. Department of Health conducted a two-day investigation, concluding there was "no deficient practice" at South County Health, which is the hospital's parent organization.

In a statement, South County Health said that while they understand the anxiety and concern, "the recent resignations are obviously not something South County Health wanted to occur."

"Whenever a doctor leaves South County Health, we put comprehensive strategies in place to ensure patients do not experience any gaps in their care," the hospital organization wrote.

South County Health said three new hematology and oncology providers were hired and will start in October, and that other concerns will be addressed during a media briefing scheduled for Friday afternoon.