Residents rallied Monday to prevent Glen Cove Hospital from cutting jobs.

The hospital, owned by the North Shore-LIJ system, has decided to eliminate crucial inpatient care by January 2014.

Patients, staff members and neighbors brought signs and have been signing petitions to prevent layoffs they say will greatly impact the community. City mayor Ralph Suozzi says he has close to 7,000 signatures opposing the move, adding that he has met with Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office, the New York City Health Department and is consulting with attorneys.

Sources tell News 12 Long Island that hospital physicians organized the rally.

Hospital officials say the measure is the best course of action, and that the facility will be expanding its ambulatory surgery center.