SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Sanford Health is exploring another possible merger, this time with a Wisconsin-based health system.
In a news release from Marshfield Clinic Healthy System, officials announced plans to merge with Sanford Health. According to its website, Wisconsin-based Marshfield Clinic Health System has 11 hospitals and serves communities in Wisconsin and a part of Michigan with more than 12,000 employees.
“We are excited to combine our common purpose to lead the way for the future, drive innovation and solve the most pressing challenges facing rural health care,” Sanford president and CEO Bill Gassen said in a news release.
Sanford Health says it has invested more than $1.5 billion in communities in South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa. If the two health systems merge, the combined system would be 56,000 employees and 56 hospitals.
The name of the parent company will be Sanford Health with Sioux Falls-based headquarters. A news release says the merger is expected to close by end of the 2024 if regulatory process and closing conditions are met.
“Partnering with Sanford Health presents an incredible opportunity for our organizations to unify and establish the premier rural health system in the nation,” Brian Hoerneman, interim CEO of Marshfield Clinic Health System, said in a news release.
In January, a possible merger between Marshfield Clinic Healthy Systems and Minnesota-based Essentia Health ended.
In July 2023, Sanford Health ended merger talks with Fairview Health System.
Merger discussions between the health systems started for a second time in November 2022. The two health systems also explored a possible merger in 2013.
Gassen said in July 2023 merger talks did not have support from “certain Minnesota stakeholders.”
