Statement on Essentia Health and Marshfield Clinic Health Systems planned merger

Lauren Nielsen
(c) 651-376-9709
lauren.nielsen@mnnurses.org

Amber Smigiel
(c) 651-202-0845
amber.smigiel@mnnurses.org

(St. Paul) – July 27, 2023 – Thursday, Essentia Health and Marshfield Clinic Health System announced they have taken the next step in their planned merger. The following is a statement from Minnesota Nurses Association First Vice President Chris Rubesch, RN, at Essentia Health Duluth.

“As always, MNA nurses’ number one priority is providing the highest quality care to our patients and communities.  We will be reviewing the impact this announced merger will have on nurses, our profession, and our patients.

As we await further details on this planned merger, we want to make it clear that nurses, patients and our community expect the merged entities to recognize our union and our contract, and to commit to prioritizing safe patient care. No matter the name on the building, we pledge to continue fighting for our patients at the bedside and in our community.”

The merger agreement between Essentia and Marshfield is the latest in a line of recently announced plans for Minnesota hospital consolidations. Also in Duluth, St. Luke’s Hospital announced their desire to merge with Aspirus Health in Wisconsin. Elsewhere, M Health Fairview and South Dakota based Sanford Health have just called off a merger that had been in the works for months.