Ascension Wisconsin continues to integrate corporate and operating structures of four health systems following its acquisition of Glendale, Wis.-based Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, according to a Milwaukee Business Journal report. But the number of jobs affected by these efforts has yet to be disclosed.
Vince Gallucci, chief marketing and communications officer for Ascension Wisconsin, declined to confirm numbers or locations for job cuts, telling the Milwaukee Business Journal, "I'm not going to share a detailed number."
Ascension Wisconsin, part of St. Louis-based Ascension Health, acquired Wheaton's Southeast Wisconsin operations and related corporate offices last March. Ascension Health also owns Milwaukee-based Columbia St. Mary's and Ministry Health Care, and Affinity Health System in Appleton, Wis.
Mr. Gallucci acknowledged to the Milwaukee Business Journal that Ascension Wisconsin has been consolidating and streamlining its organization in recent months —an expected move as the three incumbent Ascension Wisconsin health systems are combined with Wheaton.
Employees have already reported that employees have been laid off at the former Wheaton corporate office in Glendale, Wheaton hospitals and the Columbia St. Mary's headquarters, according to the report. They claim the job cuts have been in front office and clinical positions.
The Milwaukee Business Journal also reported in May that six senior vice presidents and 10 vice presidents from Wheaton were leaving the organization between June 30 and the end of the year in a management restructuring.
According to the report, Ascension Health has also closed the 30-bed Bluemound Campus of Wheaton Franciscan - Midwest Spine and Orthopedic Hospital and Wisconsin Heart Hospital and shifted the operation to the Wheaton Franciscan - Elmbrook Memorial Campus in Brookfield, Wis.
Mr. Gallucci told the Milwaukee Business Journal some employees impacted by consolidation efforts have received offers to be trained to perform other roles within the organization.