Over the past year, Aspirus Health has continued to advance its mission of broadening access to care, enhancing clinical services, and improving health outcomes across northern Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Building on recent organizational growth and system integration efforts, Aspirus has made meaningful progress in patient safety, specialty care expansion, community health initiatives, and environmental stewardship—reinforcing its commitment to meeting the evolving needs of rural communities.
A major advancement in community health is the launch of the Medication Deactivation Bag Program at Aspirus Upper Peninsula pharmacy locations, including Houghton, Laurium, Ontonagon, and Ironwood. This free program provides residents with medication disposal bags that safely neutralize unused or expired medications at home, helping reduce the risk of accidental ingestion, medication misuse, and environmental contamination. The initiative was made possible through the Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network (OPEN) Program at the University of Michigan and reflects Aspirus’ proactive approach to public safety, substance misuse prevention, and environmental responsibility.
Aspirus has also strengthened access to specialty care through the expansion of cardiology services at Aspirus Ironwood and Aspirus Keweenaw. The addition of board-certified cardiologist Dr. Amy Schimke—an Ironwood native—marks a significant milestone for cardiovascular care in the region.
“Expanding cardiology services at Aspirus Ironwood and Aspirus Keweenaw is a meaningful step forward for our communities,” said Rae Kaare, VP and Chief Administrative Officer for Aspirus Ironwood Hospital & Clinics. “Welcoming Dr. Schimke back to her hometown region brings both exceptional clinical expertise and a strong commitment to preventive heart health. Her presence allows more patients to receive high-quality cardiovascular care close to home, reinforcing Aspirus’ dedication to ensuring rural communities have access to advanced specialty services.”
In diagnostic services, Aspirus Ironwood Hospital upgraded its computed tomography (CT) technology, enhancing imaging speed and resolution. This investment supports faster, more accurate diagnoses and improves care efficiency across emergency, inpatient, outpatient, and specialty services—particularly critical in time-sensitive clinical situations.
Aspirus Ironwood Hospital also earned an Acute Stroke Ready Certificate, recognizing its preparedness and ability to deliver timely, high-quality stroke care. This designation is especially important in rural emergency medicine, where rapid access to stroke expertise can significantly impact outcomes. Further strengthening its stroke response, Aspirus recently implemented Viz.ai, an artificial intelligence–powered clinical support platform designed to accelerate stroke diagnosis and treatment. Launched on January 21, this technology analyzes CT images in real time to identify intracranial hemorrhage, large vessel occlusions, and perfusion deficits. When potential concerns are detected, the system immediately alerts neurology, emergency, and specialty teams—often before the patient leaves the scanner—allowing earlier coordination and intervention. While radiologists continue to provide final image interpretation, it serves as an early warning system to support faster decision-making and collaboration across distances. This marks Aspirus’ first use of AI for clinical care and was led by Aspirus Neurology in partnership with Information Technology and radiologists across the system.
Upper Peninsula Aspirus hospitals have also achieved national certification for diabetes education programs from the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Facilities in Iron River, Ironwood, and Keweenaw now offer recognized diabetes self-management and education services, providing patients with vital tools to manage a chronic condition that often intersects with cardiovascular disease and other serious health risks.
Environmental stewardship remains a priority for Aspirus Health. In 2024, all 18 Aspirus hospitals received Tree Campus recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation, placing the system among a select group nationally. The recognition highlights the role of green spaces in healing environments, improved air quality, stress reduction, and stronger community well-being.