Marshfield Clinic Health System Consolidating Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program

Thursday, December 1st, 2022 -- 10:00 AM

(By Joe Schulz, Wisconsin Public Radio) A health care company in Marshfield is consolidating a program that provides forensic exams for sexual assault victims, leaving survivors with a longer drive to get the help needed to pursue prosecution.

According to Joe Schulz with Wisconsin Public Radio, Marshfield Clinic Health System says it's "consolidating" the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, or SANE, program in Marshfield, effectively closing the program at the Marshfield Medical Center and consolidating services at the system's medical center in Weston about 45 minutes to the northeast.

SANE programs enable forensic nurse examiners to collect evidence that can be used in court, and address survivors' health needs. Wisconsin Public Radio obtained a Nov. 17 letter to SANE nurses in Marshfield that said their positions as forensic nurse examiners would be eliminated that day for "business reasons."

But an internal company newsletter last week said the consolidation would be effective Dec. 12. The consolidation comes as Marshfield Clinic Health System has reportedly seen millions in financial losses, and is in merger talks with Minnesota-based Essentia Health.

In a statement, a company spokesperson said the consolidation is ongoing, and is based on the training employees need and the number of patients seen by the SANE program in Marshfield.

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