IRON RIVER, Mich. – On Tuesday, Dec. 17, Aspirus Iron River Hospital and Clinics leaders announced to employees and medical staff that they have signed letters of intent to affiliate with the Aspirus health system, headquartered in Wausau, Wis. Leaders expect to finalize the transaction by Jan. 31, 2014. Aspirus has offered to retain the positions of all staff members at their current pay and benefits rates.
Based in Iron River, Mich., NORTHSTAR includes a 25-bed critical access hospital; clinics in Iron River, Marenisco and Crystal Falls; and award winning home health and hospice services. With more than 300 employees and an active, courtesy and consulting credentialed medical staff of more than 70, NORTHSTAR serves Michigan’s Iron County and surrounding communities.
“We believe NORTHSTAR will be a tremendous addition to the Aspirus family,” said Matthew Heywood, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aspirus, Inc. “This affiliation will increase our ability to serve the western Upper Peninsula by collaborating and sharing resources with our other regional partners.”
NORTHSTAR is Aspirus’ fourth hospital partner in Upper Michigan. Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital, Ontonagon, Mich., joined Aspirus in November 2007; Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital, Laurium, Mich., joined in July 2008; and Aspirus Ironwood Hospital, Ironwood, Mich., joined in October 2010.
Chuck Nelson, U.P. Regional Chief Executive Officer for Aspirus, looks forward to the addition. "We welcome the opportunity to work with the NORTHSTAR team to coordinate care across our region."
Joining an affiliated group of high-quality providers will allow NORTHSTAR to access new resources, share best practices and realize business efficiencies. That collaboration will be vital in the system’s efforts to constantly improve quality and efficiency, and to thrive in an industry that presents challenging workforce and regulatory issues.
“This decision has come following an extensive due diligence process,” said Connie Koutouzos, Chief Executive Officer of Aspirus Iron River Hospital and Clinics. “We are confident that this affiliation will secure our future in providing quality health care to our community as well as allow us to expand and improve services with the support Aspirus can provide.”
About Aspirus, Inc.
Aspirus is a non-profit, community-directed health system based in Wausau, Wis. With more than 6,000 employees, Aspirus serves people in 14 Wisconsin counties and the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan through a series of affiliated hospitals; home health and hospice care; critical care and helicopter transport service; skilled nursing homes; an affiliated physician network; and an extensive clinics network.
About Aspirus Iron River Hospital and Clinics
Situated in the beautiful north woods, Aspirus Iron River Hospital and Clinics is a 25-bed, critical access, not-for-profit hospital serving the needs of the South Central Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Northern Wisconsin. The system employs more than 300 professionals from the community, and includes over 70 credentialed physicians and mid-level providers in a variety of specialties.