Aspirus in the Chippewa Valley after HSHS closures

WAUSAU, Wis. (WXCO) – With hopes to build a new hospital, plans are in place and approvals are needed before it can be up and running.

Aspirus is hoping to build a new hospital in Chippewa Falls.

Ever since the massive March closure of HSHS hospitals, there has been a major need for emergency and inpatient services.

Aspirus Health President and Chief Executive Officer Matt Heywood said after talking with local officials to try and fill the gap in care, they have preliminary plans to build a Chippewa Falls location.

“To help fill that gap, Aspirus expanded services and access in Stanley and Medford, which are located to the east of Chippewa Falls. After months of investigation and productive conversations with local officials, we have created a plan to build a facility where residents could access emergency care, inpatient hospital services and primary care.”   

The initial hospital would have an emergency room, hospital beds, basic lab and radiology services and a clinic.

With an emphasis of urgency to get it up and running. They need city and regulatory approvals and with those, they can have it open in around a year and half.

Based in Wausau, Aspirus has demonstrated expertise in providing health care in cities like Chippewa Falls. Driven by a team of 14,000 employees, Aspirus operates 18 hospitals and more than 130 outpatient locations across northern and central Wisconsin, as well as northeastern Minnesota and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. 

“Communities throughout our region have made clear just how much they value local access to emergency and hospital care,” said Jim Matheson, Aspirus Health Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer. “Yet environmental and industry challenges make it very difficult for a hospital to succeed in an area like Chippewa Falls. Fortunately, Aspirus has a proven track record of success and we are confident in our strategy to sustain and grow services here.”   

Partnering with Wisconsin-based civil engineering firm REI and architectural firm HGA, Aspirus has completed preliminary plans for a new hospital and clinic that could be open to the public in as little as 18 months, pending necessary approvals.  

Aspirus is working to secure a site with convenient access to Highway 29, as well as capacity for future growth and service expansion. 

“In our rapidly changing world, we understand that we must advance new care models,” Heywood said. “Through thoughtful planning and collaboration, we look forward to meeting current local care needs and growing with the community for generations to come.”