Improving Access, Improving Lives
How Aspirus is Shaping Rural Health Care
11/21/2024
Greg Ruberg, Aspirus Lake View President
For those living in
small communities, access to health care can be a struggle. Hospitals and
specialists are often hours away creating a barrier for receiving timely care.
However, Aspirus Health is committed to rewriting this story, making health
care more accessible for people in rural areas.
“Patients in rural
areas deserve the same high-quality care as anyone in a metro area,” said Greg
Ruberg, President of Aspirus Lake View. “That’s why we’re constantly innovating
to overcome barriers and deliver personalized care.”
Mental health care
stands out as a persistent challenge. Ruberg explained, “When patients in
crisis arrive at our Emergency Department, we can stabilize them, but finding
inpatient psychiatric beds—especially for adolescents—is a big challenge.”
Aspirus is committed to pushing for bigger changes in the system while working
closely with community partners to address these needs.
One key partnership
is with Wilderness Health, a
group of independent providers in Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin.
They work to keep care local by developing sustainable models that reduce costs
and improve quality. Through shared services and accountable care organizations
(ACOs), Aspirus is able to work with this group to expand access and make sure
patients can access the care they need.
General
Surgeon Dr. Steve Skube points out another challenge: getting access to
specialty care.
"Traveling long
distances not only delays treatment but can also be a financial burden for
patients," he said. To make things easier, Aspirus brings specialists and
surgeons to smaller communities, cutting down on travel time and improving patient
outcomes.
Aspirus is also
investing in the future of health care through its partnership with Duluth’s
medical school. Together, they train the next generation of physicians, with a
focus on serving rural communities. This initiative ensures a long-term,
sustainable supply of skilled providers to meet future needs.
Collaboration with
public health agencies is equally vital. “We focus on prevention and wellness,
not just treatment,” Ruberg says. Initiatives like the Community
Health Needs Assessment enable Aspirus to tackle health challenges before
they escalate, benefiting the entire region.”
Despite the hurdles,
Ruberg is optimistic. “The patient experience scores at Aspirus Lake View are among
the best in the nation, thanks to our incredible team. Their dedication
shows that rural health care can thrive with the right people, partnerships,
and vision.”
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