Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital celebrates official 10-year anniversary of expansion and growth

Today marks a very special milestone for Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital and the community as it’s the official 10-year anniversary of their partnership with the Aspirus health system. On November 1, 2007, the Aspirus health system of Wausau, Wisconsin, acquired the hospital from the Village of Ontonagon, securing the future of local health care for the community for years to come.

Over the past decade, Aspirus has supported substantial growth and facility improvements to bring higher levels of care close to home for residents of Ontonagon and the surrounding areas. Since joining the Aspirus system, the hospital has:

• Invested in an 8,210-square-foot emergency department expansion and inpatient unit renovation.
• Invested in new technologies, including a state-of-the-art CT scanner that makes diagnostic appointments faster and easier for patients.
• Added specialty care services in oncology, cardiology, general surgery and diagnostic imaging.
• Added Aspirus MedEvac air transport services for patients in need of cardiovascular, trauma and neonatal intensive care.
• Earned several national excellence awards for quality and patient satisfaction.
• Strengthened the local economy with 155 employees and $6.2 million in annual payroll that gets reinvested in the community.

“When I look at the strides that have been made in Ontonagon, I’m proud. And when I look at the cascading effect Ontonagon has had on the Aspirus system, I’m amazed,” said Rick Nevers, Senior Vice President of Regional Operations/System Integration Officer with Aspirus, Inc. “I’m thankful for 10 years of Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital and I look forward to many more successful years serving this community.”

The Ontonagon hospital was the first health care organization Aspirus acquired in the Upper Peninsula, followed by three additional U.P. hospitals: Aspirus Keweenaw in Laurium, Aspirus Ironwood in Ironwood and Aspirus Iron River in Iron River.

Aspirus strives every day, in every way, to elevate health care quality, clinical performance and patient satisfaction. The Aspirus system continually delivers on its commitment by bringing excellent doctors, surgeons, nurses, lab, and diagnostic technology close to home.

“As our Aspirus mission states: We heal people, promote health and strengthen communities,” said Mike Hauswirth, Chief Executive Officer of Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital. “There are so many ways Asprius is increasing care and comfort for families in our community which makes today a very special day.”