EAU CLAIRE, WI – Feb 1, 2024 – OakLeaf Medical Network, the largest independent physician association in Western Wisconsin caring for over 30,000 primary care patients, today confirmed that its 300+ medical providers are working together and with community leaders to help solve the looming healthcare crisis in the Chippewa Valley region. This crisis was caused by the news that Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) hospitals in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls and its associated Prevea Medical Group clinics in the region will close no later than April 21, 2024.

OakLeaf Medical Network is comprised of 26 clinics that operate across 15 counties in Northwestern and Western Wisconsin, including OakLeaf Clinic’s six divisions, Chippewa Valley Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Western Wisconsin Urology, and Confluence Health (full list below).

“HSHS offers critical healthcare services and hospital beds to the whole region that cannot be absorbed by other hospitals at this time,” said Kyle Dettbarn MD, and chair of the board of directors for OakLeaf Medical Network. “Closing these hospitals, emergency rooms, the cancer center, maternity wards, the wound care/hyperbaric clinic, psychiatric and dialysis units will have a dramatic impact on everyone in the western Wisconsin region. Lives will undoubtedly be lost if we cannot all figure out a solution quickly.”
Beyond actively participating in community task forces and forums and extending hours and patient capacity, OakLeaf Medical Network physicians are aggressively pursuing other avenues to 1) keep HSHS open and caring for patients in the short term and 2) expand the number of hospital beds in the other hospitals in the region. The network of independent physicians is also working with community and healthcare leaders on a long-term solution to have enough hospital beds and specialty services available in the growing western Wisconsin region.

Independent Community Hospital
“Across the country, many municipalities and regions have worked together to build well-run independent community hospitals,” added Dr. Dettbarn. “We believe that with the smart, resolute people in the Chippewa Valley, our community can do the same.”

Having additional hospital beds and services to complement what the other hospitals in the region offer is critical.

“After thorough and careful consideration of the serious healthcare situation, OakLeaf Medical Network reached out to HSHS yesterday with the hopes of entering negotiations to purchase HSHS hospital properties with the intent of creating an independent community hospital. We are optimistic that we can work together to preserve these critical hospital beds and services quickly,” stated Dr. Dettbarn. “Without the number of hospital beds at Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s hospitals, our region simply does not have enough hospital capacity for our community to grow or thrive.”

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