Gundersen and Marshfield Clinic health systems are considering a merger to collectively enhance the level of care across Wisconsin, northeast Iowa and southeastern Minnesota, the two health systems announced this week.
Providing great care for patients, their families and communities are top priorities for each organization, along with improving access to quality healthcare, the health systems said in a joint news release.
“Over the last few years, we have worked relentlessly to position ourselves for the future and create a better framework for serving our patients and communities,” said Susan Turney, MD, chief executive officer, Marshfield Clinic Health System, in the release. “While at the same time, the disruption in the industry and competitive nature of healthcare has made it vital we construct a dynamic and strong integrated health system. This merger would give us an opportunity to combine the unique strengths of our systems to become the preeminent rural healthcare organization in the country.”
The combined strength through a merger could bring together the best pieces of both organizations.
“We realize the success of our journey to provide high-quality, outstanding experience, and affordable care to enrich lives and enhance the health of the communities we serve relies on working with many partners in a variety of ways,” said Scott Rathgaber, MD, chief executive officer, Gundersen Health System, in the release. “This opportunity to unite promises the potential to magnify our impact and bring our care model to even more communities by leveraging the strengths of two mission-driven systems with more than a century of commitment to rural healthcare.”
If they were to merge, the health systems would have more than 18,000 employees, 13 hospitals and more than 100 clinics, which includes medical clinics, eye centers, dental centers, urgent care locations and pharmacies.
