WAUSAU, Wis.– An estimated 57 million people – nearly one in five Americans – live in rural and frontier communities throughout the United States yet its landmass is roughly 97% of the United States.
National Rural Health Day is Thursday, November 18, 2021. It celebrates rural hospitals’ dedication to ensuring communities can access the care they need.
Aspirus SVP & President of Rural Markets Jesse Tischer grew up in a town of around 3,500 people and has been working in rural health care most of his administrative career.
“Rural health care means to me that we get to take care of our friends and family members,” said Tischer. “It’s our brothers and sisters, our neighbors and friends who are providing care in the ambulances, hospitals, EDs and clinics. It’s people we know caring for our loved ones in times of need.”
Rural communities face unique health care needs. They must tackle accessibility issues, an aging population, and many challenges especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aspirus prides itself in specializing in rural health care. It’s invested millions in the communities it serves and has been named a top 15 health care system four years in a row by IBW Watson Health.
“We take the rigorous standards that make us a top 15 health care system and we implement them into all of our facilities across our system,” says Tischer.
Those facilities are driven by the providers, healthcare professionals, and community leaders who keep the spirit of small-town America alive in the best way possible.
“Aspirus IS rural health care,” says Tischer. “And we look forward to continuing to provide the best health care possible in the areas we serve.”
Aspirus Health is a non-profit, community-directed health system based in Wausau, Wisconsin. Its 11,000 employees are focused on improving the health and well-being of people throughout Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. Aspirus serves communities through four hospitals in Michigan and 13 hospitals in Wisconsin, 75 clinics, home health and hospice care, pharmacies, critical care and air-medical transport, medical goods, nursing homes and a broad network of physicians. Aspirus has been recognized four consecutive years by IBM Watson Health as a Top 15 Health System in its annual study identifying the top-performing health systems in the country. For more information, visit aspirus.org.