Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative Acquires Former St. Joseph's hospital, Opening Fall 2025

CHIPPEWA FALLS, WI – July 1, 2025 – The Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative (CVHC) has purchased the former St. Joseph's Hospital building in Chippewa Falls from Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS), marking a pivotal moment in restoring comprehensive healthcare to the region.

The facility, now named Chippewa Valley Cooperative Hospital, will serve as an interim campus while CVHC constructs its permanent state-of-the-art hospital in Lake Hallie, scheduled to open by early 2028.

Healthcare Access Restored

"This acquisition represents hope returning to our community," said Robert Krause, Chair of CVHC's Board of Directors. "We're moving aggressively to close the healthcare gaps that have plagued the Chippewa Valley since HSHS departed, ensuring residents no longer face dangerous delays or long-distance transfers for essential care."

The Chippewa Falls campus will begin operations in Fall 2025 with select services, expanding to full hospital capabilities by Summer 2026. This timeline allows CVHC to begin serving patients immediately while securing necessary licensing and certifications.

Krause explained, “The reason we can’t open this fall with all the departments we’ve planned for the facility, is because we could not get the required licensing and certifications before we owned the building. Now that we have the keys, we are fast tracking that process with the other organizations which need to be involved.”

Phased Service Launch

Fall 2025 Initial Services:
• Cancer and Infusion Center – medical oncology and medical infusion services with radiation therapy services to be added in 2026
• Advanced Wound Care Center – Featuring two hyperbaric oxygen chambers for treating complex wounds, diabetic ulcers, and slow-healing injuries that standard care cannot address
• Specialty Care Services – Additional departments to be announced this fall

The Cooperative is also in discussions with Chippewa County to open the morgue at the Chippewa Valley Cooperative Hospital this fall.

By Summer 2026 Full Hospital Services:
• 30-bed hospital with 5-bed Intensive Care Unit
• 24/7 Emergency Department
• Medical-surgical services
• Labor & delivery suite
• Comprehensive diagnostic services (laboratory & radiology)

The Chippewa Falls facility will employ over 300 healthcare professionals by Spring 2026, representing significant economic impact for the Chippewa Valley region alongside improved health outcomes.

The Cooperative already has more than 90 highly qualified physicians across over 40 specialties committed to care for patients at the Chippewa Valley Cooperative Hospital.

“Over 60,000 patients were left without easy access to hospital services when HSHS exited Western Wisconsin,” said Kamal Thapar, MD, PhD, Board Director for CVHC. “With the Chippewa Falls campus of the Cooperative Hospital opening soon, more and more of these patients will have a ‘hospital home’ if they need one – close to home.”

Strategic Long-Term Vision

While the Chippewa Falls facility addresses immediate community needs, CVHC's analysis confirmed that long-term sustainability requires purpose-built infrastructure. The former St. Joseph's building faces substantial deferred maintenance and design limitations that make it unsuitable as a permanent solution.

"We've conducted exhaustive feasibility studies with leading healthcare facility experts," Krause explained. "The Cooperative’s Lake Hallie hospital represents our commitment to 21st-century healthcare delivery – modern, efficient, and designed specifically for our community's needs."

Community-Driven Healthcare Model

CVHC operates as a community-owned cooperative, distinguishing it from traditional forprofit hospital systems. This model prioritizes local control, transparent governance, and reinvestment of revenue into improved services rather than external shareholder returns. The cooperative's approach directly contrasts with the regional consolidation trends that left the Chippewa Valley underserved, positioning CVHC as a stable, communityaccountable healthcare provider.

“We think it matters where decisions are made for our local patients,” added Krause. “The Cooperative model ensures that all decisions made for the hospital and other healthcare services will be made here, prioritizing our community.”

Timeline Summary

Fall 2025: Chippewa Falls campus opens with initial services
Winter/Spring 2026: Additional services come on board
Summer 2026: Full hospital operations begin
Spring 2026: Break ground for new hospital

"Every day we accelerate this timeline is another day we can serve our neighbors locally rather than watching them travel hours for care that should be available in their own community," Krause concluded.

About the Cooperative

The Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative is a community-owned healthcare organization dedicated to providing accessible, affordable, and high-quality medical services to residents of the Chippewa Valley region. Read more at www.chippewavalleyhealthcooperative.org or www.cvcooperativehospital.org.