Marshfield Common Council Hears Update on Marshfield Medical Center

Monday, October 14th, 2024 -- 12:00 PM

During the recent Marshfield Common Council meeting, the Council heard an update on what’s happening at Marshfield Medical Center.

As we reported on last week, a key focus of the update was the ongoing discussions about establishing a partnership with the Sanford Health System. This initiative arises from recognizing that healthcare organizations require partnerships with larger systems to ensure survival and growth.

Bob Chaloner, President of Marshfield Clinic Health Systems, outlined the need for better access to capital, medical expertise, and the capacity to recruit and retain medical professionals as essential factors driving the pursuit of partnership.

As of August, the Marshfield Medical Center has entered into a definitive agreement to form a partnership with Sanford Health System, following a thorough search process for a suitable partner.

The voting on this agreement will begin with the medical staff and last two weeks. If passed, it will set the stage for final regulatory agreements with the relevant state authorities to complete the partnership by the end of the year.

Sanford Health shares a similar mission focused on providing quality healthcare access to rural communities, making it an ideal partner. Significant commitments from Sanford, including major capital investments and enhancements in clinical systems, highlight the benefits of this collaboration.

This partnership seeks to preserve the Marshfield Clinic's name and brand while ensuring continued community engagement and support. There are no plans for layoffs; they see this as an opportunity to stabilize and grow.

Marshfield Clinic has experienced significant financial difficulties over the past couple of years, primarily driven by the impacts of COVID-19 and rising inflationary costs.

However, after implementing a series of significant adjustments, including reducing staff and carefully managing financial resources, the clinic has reported recent months of profitability.

The clinic's plans include expanding services, specifically cardiovascular and orthopedic care while addressing labor shortages through education initiatives.

Marshfield Medical Center will remain the tertiary hub within the Sanford Health System. The clinic added 135 new providers with additional plans to recruit and grow.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.