Northwoods Reporter

Spooner Health and Tamarack Health have announced a new partnership to expand primary care services in the Spooner area. The collaboration will bring more primary care providers, including outreach services for pregnancy care, to residents of the region.

A recent community health survey conducted in Washburn County found that 54% of respondents believe increasing the number of primary care providers would improve healthcare access. This is up 12% from a similar survey conducted in 2021.

Tamarack Health physicians will now provide primary care on the Spooner Health campus. According to Mike Schafer, CEO of Spooner Health, “For the past several years, we have heard the need from our community for increased access to primary care providers. We are excited to expand primary care options by collaborating with Tamarack Health. The two organizations have much in common, serving very similar rural communities with high patient satisfaction. Additionally, with Spooner Health’s high employee engagement and Tamarack Health’s high physician engagement, this collaboration was a natural fit for both organizations.”

The expanded services also address limited access to pregnancy care in the area. OB outreach services will be available so families can receive prenatal and postpartum care locally while still delivering at Tamarack Health Hayward Medical Center.

“Tamarack Health is dedicated to making sure women and families have access to essential pregnancy care, which inspired our decision to expand primary care services to the Spooner area,” said Luke Beirl, President & CEO of Tamarack Health. “While mothers will still travel to Hayward for delivery, we’re reducing travel time by offering convenient prenatal and postpartum care through OB outreach services.”

Both organizations highlighted their commitment to working with regional partners and local agencies as part of their effort to strengthen healthcare options for residents.

To support these expanded services, Spooner Health plans a building project in the coming months. Further details about this project will be shared as they become available.

Spooner Health operates as a 25-bed critical access hospital providing emergency and inpatient care along with outpatient therapy, surgery, diagnostic imaging and other medical services. It reports high levels of organizational pride and workplace satisfaction among staff.

Tamarack Health is a private non-profit healthcare organization serving northwest Wisconsin through critical access hospitals and specialty clinics at multiple locations including Ashland Medical Center and Hayward Medical Center.