The merger of Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Sanford Health and Marshfield (Wis.) Clinic Health System, finalized Jan. 1, will boost virtual care offerings for patients, the Leader-Telegram in Eau Claire, Wis., reported.
The 11-hospital Wisconsin system already had virtual capabilities with infectious diseases specialists, for instance, consulting remotely but will be able to expand after joining forces with 45-hospital Sanford Health, according to the Jan. 6 story.
"For us to continue to develop that for other specialties and with other providers throughout the combined system, I think, is exciting," Brian Hoerneman, MD, president and CEO of Sanford Health's Marshfield Clinic region, told the newspaper.
Sanford Health has invested $350 million in virtual care in recent years after receiving a donation for that amount from its namesake philanthropist, Denny Sanford, including a 60,000-square-foot command center in Sioux Falls.