Bellin Health, Gundersen Health System to merge

By Kris Leonhardt
Editor
GREEN BAY — Bellin Health and Gundersen Health System not too long ago introduced that the 2 well being techniques will turn into one on Dec. 1.

The 2 organizations have been in negotiations for almost six months relating to the doable merger, which they are saying will end in enhancements.

“The merger permits the well being techniques to supply entry to extra sources and a broader community of companies that can enhance take care of the sufferers and households they serve,” a joint launch acknowledged.

“Our well being techniques have been efficiently fulfilling our particular person missions, however we all know we are going to thrive and greatest serve our sufferers and communities by discovering companions with shared missions and strategic visions,” stated Scott Rathgaber, M.D., present Gundersen chief govt officer. “This merger brings transformative alternatives to increase our patient-centered care and community-minded work. Collectively, we will make investments sources correctly and effectively to enhance well being and well-being in our communities, particularly for marginalized people and broadly for everybody in our care.”

In Might 2019, Gundersen Well being System and Marshfield Clinic Well being System have been in discussions on merging the 2 organizations, which might embody Wisconsin, northeastern Iowa and southeastern Minnesota.

If merged, the unified well being techniques would have included greater than 19,000 staff, 13 hospitals and over 100 clinics.

After months of discussions, in December of that yr, the well being techniques introduced that they’d not merge.

“This was a possibility we needed to discover. But now we have to make the correct determination for our sufferers and for our organizations,” Rathgaber defined on the time.

In October of this yr, Marshfield Clinic introduced a possible merger with Minnesota-based Essentia Well being.

Bellin and Gundersen have been engaged on an integration plan over the previous months, in addition to plans for increasing companies sooner or later.

“Over time, the techniques intend to offer sufferers entry to extra sources and a broader community, together with top-tier scientific companies, shared supplier experience, state-of-the-art know-how and digital healthcare instruments that carry digital care choices into houses and workplaces,” the joint launch added.

The mixed system is becoming a member of a rising variety of well being techniques merging all through the Midwest.
In Might, Atrium Well being introduced plans to merge with Advocate Aurora Well being, which incorporates areas in Wisconsin.

Whereas little is thought about how mergers have an effect on or profit the standard of care, a report revealed earlier this yr within the New England Journal of Medication mirrored the outcomes of a research led by Harvard Medical Faculty scientists.

“Hospital acquisition by one other hospital or hospital system was related to modestly worse affected person experiences and no vital adjustments in readmission or mortality charges. Results on course of measures of high quality have been inconclusive,” the report acknowledged.

As soon as merged, Bellin and Gundersen will retain headquarters in Inexperienced Bay and La Crosse.

“Along with Dr. Rathgaber serving as system CEO, John Dykema, present chair of the Bellin Well being Board of Administrators, would be the chair of the newly created board, residing in Northeast Wisconsin. Present Bellin CEO Chris Woleske will function system govt vp and regional president of the Bellin Area. Heather Schimmers, present Gundersen chief nursing officer and chief working officer, will function regional president of the Gundersen Area,” the joint launch added.

The well being techniques additionally anticipate the names, logos, areas and staffing to stay the identical.

“An important message we need to share with everybody is that this: The folks you realize and the care and areas you belief will not be altering. Coming collectively will permit Bellin and Gundersen to raised serve our sufferers and communities, preserving and enhancing a legacy of native, customized care that can endure for many years to come back,” Woleske stated.

“We now have discovered a real accomplice in Gundersen, and we all know we might be stronger collectively.”

Closing on the merger is anticipated to be accomplished on Nov. 30, with operations starting Dec. 1.