Centennial growth: The Marshfield Clinic Health System in 2016
By Hub City Times staff
MARSHFIELD — On Dec. 23, 1916, six founding physicians completed articles of incorporation for their medical group practice in Marshfield. Marshfield Clinic has grown to be a fully integrated health care system providing clinical and hospital care in more than 50 communities, a health plan, dental care, education for the next generation of health care professionals, health information technology, research, laboratory services, and food testing.
As Marshfield Clinic marks its 100th year, Hub City Times takes a look back at the stories that created headlines.
January 2016
One week after Marshfield’s city plan commission approved two conditional use permits that would allow the Marshfield Clinic to proceed with building a new hospital, the Marshfield Common Council followed suit. Two separate permits were approved: one for the construction of the new hospital, a central utility plant, and an on-site parking ramp and the second for an off-site parking lot that would be used by construction crews during the building process as well as clinic staff and patients.
The Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MACCI) recognized Marshfield Clinic Health System (MCHS) as its Firm of the Year. The company was honored during MACCI’s annual dinner on Jan. 27.
March 2016
Marshfield Clinic announced a partnership with Appriss Inc. to include opiate prescription histories into its electronic health records (EHR), built and developed by Marshfield Clinic Information Services Inc. (MCIS), to improve patient safety and combat prescription drug abuse and diversion. MCIS was the first ambulatory vendor in Wisconsin to integrate the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program into its EHR. Marshfield Clinic Information Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Marshfield Clinic Health System, has been continuously developing the EHR for over 30 years.
Ministry Health Care, part of Ascension Wisconsin, and MCHS entered into a nonbinding memorandum of understanding for the sale of Ministry Saint Joseph’s Hospital to MCHS and for Ministry to acquire full ownership of The Diagnostic & Treatment Center in Weston.
May 2016
In the interest of patient experience and public transparency, Marshfield Clinic announced it would publicly share provider scores based on patient surveys at marshfieldclinic.org. Marshfield Clinic is one of only a few health care organizations in the U.S. to share Press Ganey patient-based provider scores publicly. Providers receive a score on a 1-5 scale derived from the “care provider section” of medical practice surveys.
June 2016
MCHS announced its new “Caring for the Chippewa Valley” plan to build a hospital with attached cancer care on land near its Eau Claire campus. MCHS officials said owning and operating a state-of-the-art hospital in Eau Claire was important to gain more control over the cost and quality of care it had provided in that community for more than two decades.
August 2016
MCHS and Contessa Health announced a partnership to operate a Home Hospitalization Program for members of Security Health Plan. The Home Hospitalization Program will allow patients to receive hospital-level care in the comfort of their homes at a prospective bundled rate.
September 2016
Marshfield Clinic announced its Legacy Week activities, a series of speakers, tours, historical displays, and special events Oct. 10-14 to celebrate its 100th anniversary at Marshfield Clinic Marshfield Center.
Gov. Scott Walker declared Thursday, Oct. 13, as Marshfield Clinic Day in Wisconsin.
October 2016
Marshfield Clinic announced it would offer patient comments, in addition to provider scores based on patient surveys, publicly on its website to be one of a small number of health care organizations in the U.S., and one of two in Wisconsin, to share Press Ganey patient-based provider scores and comments publicly.
The Marshfield Area YMCA and MCHS announced a partnership. MCHS is supporting a major capital campaign to expand and improve the YMCA, and the renovated facility will be named the Marshfield Clinic Health System YMCA.
The Eau Claire Plan Commission approved the site plan for MCHS’ cancer center.
Dr. Narayana Murali, Marshfield Clinic executive director, announced that the health care giant would endorse and support the $3 million Marshfield School District referendum that went to ballot Nov. 8.
The Heiman Family Consult Room was dedicated in honor of Joellen Heiman on Oct. 24. The room, located in Marshfield Clinic’s general surgery department, creates an environment of comfort as patients and their families learn about their diagnosis.
November 2016
MCHS broke ground on its latest advancement, beginning work on the Marshfield Clinic Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Tissue Repair. The new 10-unit hyperbaric chamber facility, located on the north side of the clinic’s East Wing, will operate under the direction of Dr. Michael Caldwell, a general surgeon with a specialty in wound healing.
On Nov. 16 MCHS CEO Dr. Susan Turney issued the following statement: “It’s with great sadness that we learned today that Marshfield, Wisconsin, native Melvin Laird has died. Laird was a champion for health care in Wisconsin and the U.S. His work helped shape medical research as we know it.”
December 2016
Longtime Marshfield Clinic elevator operator Tom Hilber retired after a 40-year career of greeting patients and visitors. Hilber began employment with the facility in 1976 through Opportunity Development Centers.
MCHS and American Well, a leading national telehealth technology company, announced a collaboration to offer virtual doctor visits to patients in communities served by MCHS clinics and hospitals. VirtualHealth Now, operated on the Marshfield Clinic Virtual Care telemedicine platform, offers patients a convenient way to access care when and where they need it. The service, which is expected to launch in February, is part of Marshfield Clinic’s growing telehealth and virtual care initiatives.
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