Ascension Wisconsin, the state's second-largest health system, will undergo a restructuring following its acquisition of three major healthcare systems in the past few years.
The 27-hospital health system will divide the organization into two regions—the northern and southern sections of the state—each led by a new president, within the next 90 to 120 days, according to a news release. Since 2013, Ascension has picked up Affinity Health System, Ministry Health Care and Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare.
Wheaton Franciscan became the latest health system to join Ascension when it was acquired this past October. Sixteen executives exited the Milwaukee-based health system this month following Ascension's takeover, the BizTimes reported.
Daniel Neufelder, CEO of Ministry Health Care, decided not to pursue the northern region president position at Ascension Wisconsin. He will stay on as president until the position is filled in a few months.
Bernie Sherry, senior vice president of Ascension Health in the Wisconsin market, will continue to lead overall operations for Ascension Wisconsin, a role he began in April.
Ascension Wisconsin, a subsidiary of Ascension Health, the nation's largest not-for-profit health system, may compete with Aurora Health Care and Froedtert Health, both in the Milwaukee area. Ascension Wisconsin comprises more than 24,000 employees and nearly 1,000 physicians in hundreds of sites across the state.