IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (WLUC) – Last Thursday, the Marshfield Clinic Health System completed a merger with the South Dakota based Sanford Health.
The two organizations announced the plan to combine last July. It means another change for health care in our area.
Marshfield completed the purchase of Dickinson County Healthcare in 2022 and purchased Marquette Internal Medicine and Pediatric Associates Center in 2023.
Marshfield Michigan Region President Amanda Shelast says patients will continue to get the quality of care they are used to.
“I think that it will bring more opportunities for the area for the U.P. I think that if you’re getting care here at Marshfield now, you’re going to continue to receive that awesome care tomorrow as well,” Shelast said.
Shelast believes the merger can help address health care staffing issues faced by providers across the country.
But she says Marshfield maintains a commitment to hiring within its communities.
“I do think that there is strength in size,” Shelast said. “So, of course when there are mergers and acquisitions there is the opportunity to share staff, to have more resources and talent come in. But I think it’s very important to us to keep jobs local in the community and we will continue to do that.”
In a statement, Sanford Health CEO Bill Gassen says in part:
“Today’s historic milestone paves the way for us to advance world-class care across the rural Midwest and accelerate vital investments in the communities we have the privilege of serving. We are thrilled to welcome 13,000 new employees from Marshfield Clinic Health System to our Sanford family and look forward to embracing all of the new possibilities that lie ahead.”
Shelast expects the two organizations to co-brand, so patients in Upper Michigan can still expect to see the Marshfield cross and cattails.
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