Froedtert Health And ThedaCare Plan To Merge By End Of 2023

WISCONSIN — Two Wisconsin-based health systems that each maintain significant regional hospitals announced plans on Tuesday to combine as one organization.

Froedtert Health, based in the southeastern part of the state, will combine with Fox Valley-based ThedaCare, the networks announced in a joint news release. Both hospital systems already maintain a partnership through the Medical College of Wisconsin and other efforts to expand access to medicine, the release said.

The health systems said the combination will further work to maintain talent, innovate ways to meet patient needs and further work to close gaps in care.

“Both of our organizations have deep, long-standing ties in the communities we serve. Our Wisconsin roots have been instrumental in building creative solutions to meet our communities’ health needs,” said Cathy Jacobson, president and CEO of Froedtert Health. “By coming together with the state’s leader in regional community health, our combined organization will be poised to meaningfully address health equity and disparities, enhance access to a broader array of services and make it easier for patients to navigate the health care system. The Medical College of Wisconsin will continue to be an important partner in our work together.”

The new organization will continue to be based in Wisconsin and led by people from the state, the news release said. A parent board of current members from both systems will govern the new organization.

“ThedaCare and Froedtert Health have a commitment to the people of Wisconsin,” said Imran A. Andrabi, ThedaCare president and CEO. “We are alike in many ways, and our leaders and our boards have long been asking how we can accelerate our work to make a positive and lasting impact on our state. We have a shared vision for what we can do together to improve the health and well-being of the communities and be proactive partners in health. We are eager to start exploring how we can build a healthier, brighter future for Wisconsin.”

Jacobson will assume the role of CEO when the systems combine while Andrabi will be president. After six months of a transition, Jacobson will then retire as Andrabi takes over both roles, according to the release.

Over the coming months, both systems plan on refining a definitive agreement with additional commitments outlined. The goal is to launch the combined system by the end of 2023, the companies said. A website to help people through the merger process, WIcareWIroots.com, was set up.

A report by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel noted the merger would put 18 hospitals alongside dozens more healthcare sites and $4 billion in revenue under one organization, should regulators approve the combination.