Ascension to transfer seven hospitals to Aspirus

Ascension will transfer seven hospitals, 21 physician clinics and air and ground medical transport services in north and central Wisconsin to Aspirus Health, under an agreement announced Tuesday.

The agreement includes Eagle River Hospital in Eagle River, Good Samaritan Hospital in Merrill, Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff, Our Lady of Victory Hospital in Stanley, Sacred Heart Hospital in Tomahawk, St. Mary’s Hospital in Rhinelander and St. Michael’s Hospital in Stevens Point.

The transition is subject to closing as well as regulatory and canonical requirements.

The agreement would boost the number of Wisconsin hospitals in the Aspirus system, which currently counts six hospitals in the state and four in Michigan.

“Aspirus is committed to creating thriving, healthy rural communities,” Matthew Heywood, Aspirus CEO, said in a statement. “We are looking forward to welcoming these new team members into the Aspirus family and to expanding access to local primary care and specialty services to create a more seamless healthcare experience for thousands of rural Wisconsin residents.”

“Ascension Wisconsin remains committed to putting our communities first, which means being responsive to the changing needs of those we serve,” Bernie Sherry, senior vice president of Ascension and ministry market executive for Ascension Wisconsin, said in a statement. “We look forward to finalizing this transition with Aspirus as a way of honoring that commitment. We are confident that this transition will enable these facilities and their dedicated caregivers to be in a better position to serve the communities’ health needs going forward.”

This article first appeared in the Wisconsin Health News daily email newsletter. Sign up for your free trial here.