October 17, 2023- St. Luke’s, based in Duluth, Minnesota, and Aspirus Health, based in Wausau, Wisconsin, have signed a definitive agreement. This next step moves the systems closer to a formal affiliation to create a comprehensive health care system. The proposed affiliation intends to expand rural access to health care and advance quality of care for residents of northeastern Minnesota, northern and central Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
This follows the July 12 announcement that the organizations had signed a Letter of Intent.
Under the terms of the definitive agreement, which was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both nonprofit organizations, the organizations will collectively focus on specific areas to advance quality care in the region including Aspirus will invest at least $300 million over eight years to fund St. Luke’s strategic projects, Aspirus will commit to implementing Epic, and the Aspirus Health plan will expand into St. Luke’s Service Area.