Marshfield (Wis.) Clinic Health System's decision to build a new hospital and attached cancer wing just down the road from Eau Claire, Wis.-based Sacred Heart Hospital has significantly diminished relations between the two facilities, according to the Leader-Telegram.
Marshfield officials publicized the decision to build a hospital and cancer center in June after purchasing the property for the new location for $7 million. Officials expect the cancer center to open next year and the hospital to open in 2018.
The decision came after repeated attempts by Scared Heart to formalize its relationship with Marshfield. Sacred Heart officials believed the partnership would better position the systems to compete with other healthcare providers in the area, such as the Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire.
Reports of tension between the two organizations first surfaced in 2014 when Marshfield declared its intent to partner with Wausau, Wis.-based Aspirus Network, according to the article.
Scott Polenz, Marshfield’s west division administrator, said the health system's decision to build its own facility was driven by the desire to control costs.