SSM Health completes merger with Agnesian HealthCare and Monroe Clinic

Credit: SSM Health

SSM Health has announced the completed acquisition of the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes' healthcare ministries, which include Agnesian HealthCare, based in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin and Monroe Clinic, based in Monroe, Wisconsin.

The proposed union of the three organizations was initiated and guided by CSA, which established the health ministries more than a century ago.

"Changes in the Wisconsin payer and provider markets, combined with the changing demographics of the Congregation, led CSA to consider how to best uphold the legacy of its healthcare ministries and maintain the level of care that patients and communities expect," SSM said.

Agnesian HealthCare, Monroe Clinic and their affiliates will adopt the SSM Health brand, while still honoring their legacy names. That transition is expected to be completed by the end of 2018.

Monroe Clinic is a 58-bed hospital that also has 12 other clinics, a home care and hospice agency as well as retail and urgent care clinics. Agnesian includes the 175-bed St. Agnes Hospital, Ripon Medical Center and Waupun Memorial Hospital, both of which have 25 beds. There is a also a rehabilitation center and other services.

Thanks to the done deal, SSM Health's network in Wisconsin now reaches into Northern Illinois. It is now comprised of seven hospitals, 10 post-acute facilities, more than 85 physician offices and other outpatient care sites, a health plan and pharmacy benefit management company. The system now staffs roughly 14,000 employees and physicians in Wisconsin and more than 40,000 across the Midwest, SSM said.

"We are excited and proud to have the talented and dedicated employees and physicians of Agnesian HealthCare and Monroe Clinic become part of SSM Health," said Laura Kaiser, president and CEO of SSM Health. "This partnership is a natural fit and we look forward to working together to further improve access and enhance quality of care in Wisconsin."

The announcement comes about two months after the system said it would be cutting its workforce by one percent as part of a cost-savings effort that accompanied changes in scheduling and workflow. The job cuts were said to number around 350 system-wide, and most of the positions cut were administrative, according to a local report.

Twitter: @BethJSanborn
Email the writer: beth.sanborn@himssmedia.com