For the Tomahawk Leader

TOMAHAWK – Sacred Heart Hospital in Tomahawk was one of seven hospital locations to formally celebrate joining Aspirus Health during a welcome event held on Tuesday, Sept. 14.

Hospital and Clinic leaders joined with employees and community partners as part of a system-wide celebration for the seven hospitals, 21 clinics, air and ground transport services and 2,700 employees who became part of the Aspirus system on Aug. 1.

“It has been nearly six weeks since the Sacred Heart team joined Aspirus, and we are all very excited and optimistic about what this transition offers our patients, our hospital, our staff, and our community,” said Laurie Oungst, Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at Sacred Heart. “For decades, this hospital has been caring for Tomahawk and its neighboring communities. Generations of families have entrusted their health-and their lives-to the medical professionals here.”

Leaders at Sacred Heart Hospital concluded the event with a tree planting ceremony “to serve as a symbol of the commitment to grow and thrive with the Tomahawk community,” Aspirus Health said. Photos courtesy of Aspirus Health.

Aspirus Health said the name of Sacred Heart and the former Ascension Wisconsin clinics serving the area will remain the same for the immediate future, although on site signs now indicate that they have joined Aspirus Health. Ultimately, facility names will be changed to reflect the Aspirus brand. By Dec. 2021, all signs and materials will reflect the new Aspirus facility names.

Tomahawk mayor Steven E. Taskay speaks at the celebration ceremony.

“The event concluded with a tree planting ceremony to serve as a symbol of the commitment to grow and thrive with the Tomahawk community,” Aspirus Health said “The tree was planted with 10 symbolic jars of soil, representing the 10 legacy Aspirus hospitals welcoming the 7 new hospitals to the Aspirus Health family.”