Ascension Our Lady of Victory Hospital has a new owner, and its name is Aspirus Health, based out of Wausau, in Marathon County. The change took place officially as of August 1, after a deal first announced in January for an undisclosed sum.

Part of the delay in the acquisition had to do with getting approval from the Federal Commerce Commission or FCC, as well as canon law.

Come the future, Aspirus Health of Wausau plans to rebrand the seven hospitals in the deal that includes Ascension, which though . In addition, while Aspirus has officially acquired Our Lady of Victory Hospital with the six other hos- pitals, the full transition is ongoing, and isn’t yet fully complete.

“You’d still call the same number for your doctor,” a receptionist at Aspirus in Wausau said when reached for comment. “That much hasn’t changed.” Readers can find out more about Aspirus including visitor guidelines by going to www.aspirus.org. President and CEO of Aspirus Health Matthew Heywood had more to say on the merger.

“This acquisition will help Aspirus provide better and more connected care to thousands and thousands more people in our region,” Heywood shared. “We are mission-driven to provide

See NEW OWNER, page 8

The sign outside Victory Medical last week announced to the world that “We have joined Aspirus Health.” Inauspicious perhaps, but still there for the observant. Photo by Joseph Back. NEW OWNER

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small communities with convenient access to compassionate, excellent care. We are excited to work with our new team members to serve more communities like the ones that we call home.”

In addition to Our Lady of Victory Hospital in Stanley, the deal includes Ascension Our Lady of Victory Clinic in Thorp.

The other hospitals affected in the deal include ones in Eagle River, Merrill, and central Wisconsin generally, as well as the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.