By Adam Hocking

Editor

MARSHFIELD — On Tuesday morning Ministry Health Care announced its intention to seek a partnership with the Medical College of Wisconsin in order to expand its level of care and services in the Wausau area.

“This effort will focus on MCW’s (Medical College of Wisconsin) recruitment of specialty care clinicians who will live and practice in Wausau/Weston and the surrounding metro area,” a release from Ministry Health Care said.

On Tuesday afternoon Marshfield Clinic Health System CEO Dr. Susan Turney offered the following response to the announcement from Ministry:

“Marshfield Clinic Health System has provided specialty health care services in the Wausau area for more than 20 years and has a long-term commitment to high-quality, accessible care in central Wisconsin with our Wausau, Weston, Stettin, Stevens Point and Mosinee centers along the I-39 corridor. With little population growth projected in the future, it’s hard to understand the need to focus on recruiting more specialists when Marshfield Clinic already provides over 80 specialties, which rivals some of the best access to specialty care in the country.

“Marshfield Clinic has brought expert medical care to central and northern Wisconsin for nearly 100 years, including a partnership with the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine since 1924, when we offered their first medical preceptor program. Marshfield Clinic’s regional and national reputation for providing expert health care has helped patients in rural Wisconsin have access to world-class care close to their homes for generations and is a tradition we plan to continue.”

Hub City Times has reached out to Ministry Health Care for a comment on Turney’s statement and is awaiting a response.