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Affiliation makes hospital stronger

EDGERTON — Stoughton Hospital is eager to welcome Edgerton Hospital and Health Services into the SSM family, Stoughton CEO Terry Brenny said.

The more hospitals that affiliate with the organization based in St. Louis the better they can share resources, he said.

"We're delighted that Edgerton is joining," Brenny said.

Edgerton Hospital announced its limited affiliation with SSM Health Care of Wisconsin in December.

Stoughton Hospital, in contrast, has been affiliated with SSM for six years. The hospital enjoys access to group purchasing, computer services and wider marketing SSM offers while still maintaining its independence, Brenny said.

"We remain an independent community hospital," he said.

The hospital even shares specialists with Janesville and Madison clinics, he said.

Stoughton Hospital's affiliation isn't quite the same as Edgerton's, said Mary Starmann-Harrison, regional CEO of SSM Health Care of Wisconsin. SSM invested money in Stoughton Hospital, but there are no plans for a similar investment in Edgerton, she said.

Still, Edgerton will enjoy the kind of resources Stoughton already has access to, Starmann-Harrison said.

"We agree to work together to share services so that we can be, you know, stronger together," she said.

SSM's larger facilities, such as the planned St. Mary's Janesville Hospital, can serve as backup when Edgerton Hospital can't serve a patient's needs, though patients still will be able to choose where they go, she said. In turn, doctors can refer patients to Edgerton Hospital to recover after their immediate needs are met in Janesville or Madison.

Edgerton Hospital will continue to accept the same insurance plans it always has, said Dorothy Gunderson, board chairwoman.

Meanwhile, the affiliation already has helped Edgerton plan its new facility, she said.

"They had a lot of building projects and experience and expertise," she said.