BEAVER DAM — UW Health has finalized an agreement to bring Marshfield Medical Center–Beaver Dam into its health system, a move officials say will strengthen healthcare access across Dodge County while keeping care close to home.
Under the agreement, UW Health will acquire Marshfield Medical Center–Beaver Dam, including its skilled nursing facility, senior living apartments, assisted living facilities and primary care clinics in Columbus, Horicon and Waupun. Approximately 425 employees are expected to transition to the UW Health system.
UW Health Chief Strategy Officer Carey Gehl said the partnership builds on a relationship that has existed between the organizations for more than a decade.
“We’ve had a long-standing history in the Beaver Dam community,” Gehl said. “It’s common for patients who need a higher degree of care to come to UW Health, so it’s always been a very collaborative relationship.”
Gehl said the timing also aligns with UW Health’s recent expansion on Madison’s east side, including the East Madison Hospital and Eastpark Medical Center.
“As we’ve continued to grow toward that community, the timing made sense for us to reengage and see if we could put together a more formal relationship,” Gehl said.
Patients should continue receiving care without interruption during the transition, according to Gehl. She said both organizations have spent the past several months developing an integration plan designed to minimize disruptions for patients, families and employees.
“Anytime there’s change, there’s the potential for disruption,” Gehl said. “We’ve worked with Beaver Dam, Sanford and Marshfield to develop an integration plan that’s as thoughtful as possible so we can stage those changes and minimize disruption.”
The transaction is expected to close in November, with phased integration continuing over the following months. That process will include aligning clinical systems, expanding specialty services and strengthening recruitment efforts.
Gehl said one of UW Health’s first priorities will be identifying services currently drawing Dodge County residents to Madison and determining which of those services could eventually be provided locally.
A broader strategic planning process involving employees and community stakeholders is expected to begin in January to help determine future healthcare needs in Dodge County.
“Our goal is really to stabilize healthcare in Beaver Dam,” Gehl said. “We’re excited about the more than 400 employees joining the UW Health family, and we want to continue growing services locally.”
Looking ahead, Gehl said success means building on the strengths that already exist in Beaver Dam.
“It’s a beautiful facility with really dedicated employees,” she said. “We want to maximize what already exists in the Beaver Dam community while making it easier for patients who need advanced care to seamlessly access the broader UW Health system.”
Patients will continue receiving care at the Beaver Dam campus as they do today while the transition moves forward.
