The non-profit health system Ascension announced Thursday that it has signed a letter of intent with the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters. It proposes the transfer of all southeastern Wisconsin operations of Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare to Ascension Wisconsin.
Ascension Wisconsin includes Columbia St. Mary's and Ministry Health Care in Milwaukee.
Wheaton Franciscan's operations in southeastern Wisconsin include the following hospitals:
- Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare -- All Saints
- Wheaton Franciscan -- Elmbrook Memorial
- St. Joseph
- Midwest Spine and Orthopedic Hospital
- Wisconsin Heart Hospital Campuses
- Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare -- St. Francis and Franklin Hospitals
- Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital
The health system's operations in southeastern Wisconsin also include: Wheaton Franciscan Medical Group, with 300 physicians at more than 50 locations; transitional and extended care facilities; and home health and hospice.
Wheaton Franciscan also has operations in Illinois and Iowa.
After it assumes the southeastern Wisconsin operations of Wheaton Franciscan, Ascension will have 27 hospitals, 24,000 employees, 150 clinics and $3.5 billion in annual operating revenues.
Ascension says it expects to close the transaction in the first quarter of next year.
