KAILUA, KONA, Hawai'i — North Hawaii Community Hospital's chief surgeon is resigning in part because of staff cuts the Big Island hospital is making to reduce a projected budget deficit.

Dr. William Park told a community meeting on Thursday he would resign as chief of surgery immediately. He says he'll also soon quit working at hospital altogether.

The move came about a week after the private, community-owned facility said it would lay off 59 employees, or about 12 percent of its workforce.

Park says the cuts will affect patient care. He says he loves the hospital and community but can no longer identify with what the hospital is doing.

Earlier this week, a group of donors and community members demanded that the hospital's board of directors and chief executive officer resign.

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Information from: West Hawaii Today, www.westhawaiitoday.com