For the Tomahawk Leader
WISCONSIN – Marshfield Clinic Health System and Essentia Health, on Thursday, July 27 announced that the two health systems entered into an agreement to form a new integrated regional health system serving rural and mid-urban communities across four states.
The integration agreement was preceded by the signing of a memorandum of understanding in Oct. 2022.
A release from the health systems said the agreement is the “latest step in the process that keeps the organizations on track to come together formally by the end of this year pending regulatory approval.”
“We are both physician-led organizations with an unwavering commitment to the health of rural communities,” said Essentia Health Chief Executive Officer Dr. David Herman, who will serve as CEO of a new parent company. “Our complementary capabilities will allow us to learn and share with one another to better achieve our collective mission.”
“Discussions the past few months have made it clear that this is an incredible opportunity to enhance both health systems, solidify our futures and take patient care and services to an even higher level,” said Dr. Susan Turney, who previously announced plans to step down as Marshfield Clinic Health System CEO this fall. “It represents an opportunity to expand access to care, diversify the services we provide and deepen our community-based work.”
“By joining together, Essentia and Marshfield Clinic will combine the strengths of both organizations and advance the level of care in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and North Dakota,” the release stated.
The new regional system will “bring greater access to primary, specialty and hospital care through a diverse network of 3,800 providers and 150 sites of care, including 25 hospitals,” according to the release.
Turney and Herman added that through the combination, both organizations will be better positioned to navigate current and future challenges to health care – especially rural health care – and preserve the sustainability of high-quality care in our communities.
“While work remains to finalize our new relationship, this is another positive step in our journey to define the future of health care, and to fundamentally transform rural health care in America,” Turney stated.
“Each time I meet with our Marshfield colleagues, I am excited for our future together and what we can build and sustain to better serve our patients, communities and colleagues,” Herman said. “Times are undeniably challenging for rural health care, yet I am certain we can meet those challenges more successfully together than we can separately.”