Days of Our Lives sees that nobody is happy with how EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) is running Salem’s University Hospital, least of all Kayla Brady (Mary Beth Evans). Since EJ seems likely to keep up with the petty games he’s planning, there may be a full-scale revolt on his hands led by Kayla.
Sweetness is not going to be so sweet when it comes down to it. We’re going to dive into whether it’ll be EJ’s cheapskate ways or the distraction of Johnny DiMera‘s (Carson Boatman) trial that leads to his downfall in running University Hospital.
Days of our Lives: Kayla Fuming at EJ
Kayla was just telling Steve Johnson (Stephen Nichols) that EJ cost-cutting measures at the hospital have everybody up in arms, wondering what’s the next inconvenience for the staff and also for the patients. She warns Stephanie Johnson (Abigail Klein) about EJ. But it’s too late. He owns the hospital. And Stephanie took that job. It’s going to take a lot more than just a little PR work from Kayla’s daughter to clean up the mess that EJ is making.
Honestly, it would probably have been a lot easier on this staff if Xander Cook (Paul Telfer) had won the vote. But remember, Jada Hunter (Elia Cantu) arrested Xander at the hospital right at the time of the vote. So, things went badly. And EJ wound up with the winning bid to purchase the near-bankrupt medical facility.
Understanding EJ’s Controversial Management and Budget Cuts at Salem’s University Hospital
The big question, of course, is why EJ is driving Kayla crazy with insane budget cuts. If he can’t afford to keep the AC on, then he can’t afford the hospital. Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gering) and Cat Greene (AnnaLynne McCord) were talking about the mystery of why EJ even wanted the hospital because it’s a losing proposition financially. And any money from Versix is years away from coming in.
Not only are Rafe and Cat trying to figure out where EJ got the money to buy the hospital—because he didn’t just have it lying around—but also why it was so important to him. Xander was interested in the hospital because Sarah Horton (Linsey Godfrey) works there. You know, that’s her career. It’s her livelihood. The hospital is important to Maggie Horton Kiriakis (Suzanne Rogers).
So Xander and the combined Titan Dear companies had the money to buy it and the money to keep it going until it could turn a profit, like until that Versix thing happened. But EJ doesn’t seem to have that much room in his wallet. He claimed he bought the hospital because they saved his life after he was shot. But Kayla is not buying it.
Upcoming Dr. Tom Horton Free Clinic: A Response to University Hospital’s Decline
We also have something big coming in the local Salem medical community that could be part of a backlash to EJ antics at the hospital. His slashing of the budget and alienating the doctors are all part of this on Days of our Lives.
That could be why the town of Salem is forming the Dr. Tom Horton free clinic, which is coming soon. It was in the summer promo, so within the next couple of months, Kayla is pleased to announce its opening. She’s hosting the inaugural party for it.
The big question is, does Salem suddenly need a free clinic because EJ has driven down the availability and quality of care at the hospital? Are there not enough doctors? The hospital’s board of directors had three options: go completely bankrupt and let the hospital close, see it sold to Xander or see it sold to EJ.
Xander was in the lead because he’s married to a doctor, Sarah They were still together then. And Maggie his mother-in-law, also had a vote. Xander had what he needed to win until things took a terrible turn. The Hunky Titans’ arrest forced the board’s hand. And EJ essentially won by default.
Investigation into EJ’s Hospital Purchase and Financial Backing
Since then, ISA director Shane Donovan (Charles Shaughnessy) has been completely fixated on finding out what the Demaras are up to. He dragged Cat back as an ISA analyst to follow EJ money trail because he says she’s the top of her game. Cat and Rafe are trying to figure out who helped EJ buy the failing hospital because it looks like he didn’t have the capital to do it alone.
They don’t know where the deeper pockets are and are digging for clues. Kayla is absolutely losing patience in the meantime. EJ tossed her out of her office the other day to have a meeting with her daughter Stephanie while he was cranking up the AC and making everybody else sweaty.
Kayla even threatened EJ with resigning because of all the negative changes he’s been making. After Kayla made that threat, did back down a little because he knows that if Kayla quit, more staff would probably walk out right behind her.
Hospital Staff Discontent and Impact of EJ’s Cost-Cutting Measures
Not only has angered Kayla on Days. But EJ’s henchwoman, Rita, has been marching around making very ill-advised changes, too. They got cheap on coffee for the doctors. And Rita yanked the fresh fruits and vegetables out of the cafeteria. EJ has cut the hospital’s pharmacy hours so drastically that Chad DiMera (Billy Flynn) was rushing to pick up a prescription before they closed. And that was very important.
Cat has been working for Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) but didn’t have a shift on the most recent episode because Doc’s been off her game since John Black (Drake Hogestyn) died and has been working a lot. But Cat was up at the hospital and ran into Chad who knew she was off work. Cat lied, saying she was doing some things for Marlena. But really she was creeping around the hospital digging into what EJ is up to.
Elevator Incident Highlights Risks of EJ’s Budget Cuts at University Hospital
Cat and Chad wound up in the elevator, which broke down and left them stuck inside. It looks like it might have been the same elevator shaft and elevator that was out of order when they were filming Body and Soul. If you remember, Nurse Whitley King (Kim Coles) tampered with the elevator and nearly killed Bonnie.
This time, though, it seems like EJ budget cuts may have affected elevator maintenance and actually put his brother at risk. Kayla is going to be furious about that because it means doctors could get stuck, orderlies could get stuck on the elevators with patients. And it sure looks like is about to be facing a firestorm from disgruntled employees and patients. That’s the kind of stuff that can get the hospital sued.
Johnny’s Trial Distracts EJ While Hospital Staff Plans a Revolt
Johnny trial is eating up most of EJ’s attention. And it seems like he’s letting Rita run amok and terrorize everybody in the sake of slashing expenses. With EJ not paying attention, there may be an uprising behind his back, possibly spearheaded by Chief of Staff Kayla, who hates him. She seems to be a driving force behind the founding of the Tom Horton free clinic
It will be later this summer or possibly early Fall when Kayla announces the grand opening of the Tom Horton free clinic in front of family, friends, and colleagues. The big question is whether doctors are going to be leaving University Hospital and bailing on EJ to head over to the Horton Clinic instead.
Potential Drama Surrounding the Horton Clinic Dedication and Stephanie’s Past
Also, just a quick side note: Mike Horton’s son is Jeremy Horton (Trevor Donovan). We know Mike Horton is coming back for the dedication of the clinic. I wonder if his son Jeremy is going to be coming. He’s that crazy ex of Stephanie’s that Steve was just talking about.
Stephanie was worried about an ex of hers recognizing a passage of her book and thought he sent that package. It seems like Jeremy is going to be the awful ex. Her other awful ex, Everett Lynch (Blake Berris), is dead, so Jeremy is the top contender. The bottom line: EJ is poking a stick into a hornet’s nest at University Hospital. And he might get stung soon by Kayla.
