Ascension is selling several of its Wisconsin hospitals and other healthcare facilities to not-for-profit Aspirus Health, the companies said Tuesday.
Ascension will divest seven hospitals, 21 physician clinics and a medical transport company in northern and central Wisconsin. Ascension owns 24 hospital campuses and more than 100 healthcare facilities across the state.
Wausau, Wis.-based Aspirus employs 8,700 workers at 10 hospitals in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin.
“Ascension Wisconsin remains committed to putting our communities first, which means being responsive to the changing needs of those we serve,” Bernie Sherry, senior vice president of Ascension and ministry market executive for Ascension Wisconsin, said in a statement. “We look forward to finalizing this transition with Aspirus as a way of honoring that commitment. We are confident that this transition will enable these facilities and their dedicated caregivers to be in a better position to serve the communities’ health needs going forward.”
Ascension ended its fiscal 2020 in the red with a $639.4 million operating loss, or a -2.5% margin. The Catholic health system has hospitals in 20 states and the District of Columbia.