La Crosse, Wis.-based Gundersen Health System and Marshfield (Wis.) Clinic Health System have abandoned plans to merge into a 13-hospital rural healthcare network, the organizations said Dec. 19.
The two systems said they "mutually decided to remain independent" after several months of productive and collaborative discussions.
Scott Rathgaber, MD, CEO of Gundersen Health System and Susan Turney, MD, CEO of Marshfield Clinic, both said that moving forward with the merger would not be best for their patients or organizations.
"This was an opportunity we had to explore. Yet we have to make the right decision for our patients and for our organizations," Dr. Rathgaber said. "We each still have a commitment to delivering the best care possible to those we serve."
"Bringing two entities together of our size and scope is an incredibly complex process, and first and foremost in that process is making sure it was the best path forward for our patients, staff and communities," said Dr. Turney. "While we mutually decided to remain independent, we will continue to execute our strategy of smart growth as we look for opportunities to ensure residents across rural Wisconsin have access to excellent healthcare close to home."
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