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NEW YORK, NY March 14, 2008 —A 120-year-old Manhattan hospital that was once built to serve Italian immigrants will soon be the latest to shut its doors.

WNYC’s Fred Mogul has more.

Cabrini Medical Center is one of dozens of hospitals and nursing homes around New York recommended for closure last year by a panel appointed by previous Gov. George Pataki.

Cabrini, which is located in Manhattan’s Grammercy Park neighborhood had been trying to stay in business, but it is small couldn’t compete with several other large hospitals in the area.

This week, the Health Department told it to close its emergency room, with other departments to follow next week. At least some parts of the building will continue as clinical facilities for other healthcare institutions.

It was founded in 1889 by Frances Xavier Cabrini. Cabrini also established Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart and became the first American to be declared a saint.

For WNYC, I’m Fred Mogul.