SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Sanford Health is making another attempt at merging with a health system from a different state. This time the plan involves a Wisconsin-based health system.
Marshfield Clinic Health System hopes to find better luck with Sanford Health since ending merger plans with two other companies.
Marshfield has 11 hospitals and also serves Michigan’s upper peninsula with more than 12,000 employees.
This isn’t Marshfield’s first attempt at a merger.
Nearly one year ago on July 27, 2023, Marshfield signed a letter of intent to merge with Duluth, Minnesota-based Essentia Health. However, in early January 2024, the health systems ended their plans to merge.
In December 2019, Marshfield and Gundersen Health System, which is also in Wisconsin, decided to remain separate companies after several months of discussion.
Sanford Health’s most recent attempt at a merger also didn’t go through.
In July 2023 Sanford ended talks with Minnesota-based Fairview Health System.
The Fairview and Sanford Health also considered a merger in 2013.
If this latest proposed merger moves forward, officials with Sanford and Marshfield say it would benefit patients and research and could happen by the end of this year.
The last successful merger Sanford Health had was with Good Samaritan Society in 2019.
