Hires Physicians and Providers to Open New Clinics in Cornell, Ladysmith, Menomonie, and Rice Lake; Adds New Physicians in Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire
EAU CLAIRE, WI – March 28, 2024 – In a rapid move to ensure that patients in Barron, Chippewa, Dunn, and Rusk Counties have access to the high-quality healthcare services they’ve counted on in their communities despite HSHS exiting the region, OakLeaf Clinics will open new clinics in Cornell, Ladysmith, Menomonie, and Rice Lake. OakLeaf Clinics has hired Prevea physicians, nurse practitioners, and medical staff in these cities to serve patients throughout the extended four-county area so existing patients of these providers can keep their healthcare with the physicians, nurses, and staff they already trust.
OakLeaf Clinics, the largest clinic of independent physicians in OakLeaf Medical Network, moved quickly to fill the large local healthcare gap that has been created by HSHS and Prevea shutting down throughout Western Wisconsin. With the new clinics, OakLeaf Clinics will have 11 clinics. The new OakLeaf Clinics will open between May 1 and May 13, three in existing Prevea clinic locations (see below).
“Local access to high-quality healthcare is critical for communities to thrive,” said Chris Longbella, M.D. President of OakLeaf Clinics. “We moved quickly to fill the healthcare needs in these communities with talented providers with deep connections to their communities and help ensure a seamless continuity of care for patients no longer able to access the HSHS/Prevea system.”
OakLeaf Clinics and the greater OakLeaf Medical Network are committed to stabilizing access to comprehensive healthcare services throughout the region and plan to offer other expanded services, including urgent care services in Chippewa Falls, in the near future.
News Services – OakLeaf Direct
OakLeaf Clinics is maintaining all services offered previously by these doctors and nurse practitioners and will be evaluating additional programs and services for the future. Each new clinic will also offer OakLeaf Direct, a high-value primary care program with personalized healthcare services for employers seeking to improve the overall health and wellness of their employees.
Once these healthcare providers and clinics are part of OakLeaf Clinics, the physicians will be independent and can recommend the best course of care for each of their patients within or outside of the Network. In addition, each clinic can choose to participate in community activities at their own discretion, without administrative approval.
New OakLeaf Clinics Details
OakLeaf Clinics Cornell
OakLeaf Clinics has hired Kelsey Meyer, NP and staff, and has assumed the lease to operate out of the same location: 320 N 7th Street, Cornell, Wisconsin 54732
Open Date: May 1, 2024
OakLeaf Clinics Ladysmith
OakLeaf Clinics has hired Drs. Joel DeKrey and Samantha Runstrom, and Amanda Crabb, NP and their entire staff, and entered into a long-term lease for the clinic building that Rusk County purchased from Prevea.
1101 Lake Ave, West, Ladysmith, Wisconsin 54848
Open Date: May 1, 2024
OakLeaf Clinics Menomonie, Clinic and Urgent Care
OakLeaf Clinics has hired Kristen Rubenzer, APNP, and will be adding additional staff, specialists, and primary care providers. In addition, OakLeaf Clinics – Menomonie will be reestablishing the Urgent Care at the same location in the near future.
2919 Stout Road, Menomonie, Wisconsin
Open Date: May 6, 2024
OakLeaf Clinics Rice Lake
OakLeaf Clinics has hired Kaley Wilson, APNP, FNP-BC and Bailey Yeager, PA-C, and other staff will be added in the near future.
The clinic will be temporarily co-located with OakLeaf Medical Network member Diagnostic Radiology Associates of Wisconsin while a final location is determined.
1024 N Main Street Rice Lake, WI 54868
Open Date: May 13, 2024
Adds New Physicians to Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire Clinics
In addition to opening the four new clinics by May 13, 2024, OakLeaf Clinics has also hired Steve Steinmetz M.D. who will join the Family Medicine practice at OakLeaf Clinics Chippewa Falls, and Victoria Vande Zande, M.D., who will join the Internal Medicine practice in Eau Claire.
About OakLeaf Clinics
OakLeaf Clinics, the largest clinic in the OakLeaf Medical Network, provides primary and specialty care through its 11 clinics in Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, Cornell, Ladysmith, Menomonie, Rice Lake, and outreach clinics in Altoona, Amery, Baldwin, Black River Falls, Cumberland, Shell Lake, Stanley, and Turtle Lake.
About OakLeaf Medical Network
OakLeaf Medical Network, comprised exclusively of independent clinics, is the largest independent physician association in Western Wisconsin, with over 350 medical providers (130 physicians) with 40 specialties working across 31 clinics in 15 counties. Over 35,000 primary care patients are served by OakLeaf Medical Network providers. Originally founded in 1994 by a local group of physicians committed to preserving the unique values of independent medical practices including personal care, continuity of care, and easier access to care, as a “clinic without walls,” the organization has evolved and grown over time.
Today the clinics under the OakLeaf Medical Network include: OakLeaf Clinics (founded in 2015) with its 11 divisions, Buffalo River Clinic, Chippewa Valley Anesthesia Associates, Chippewa Valley Eye Clinic, Chippewa Valley Eye Clinic Chippewa Falls, Chippewa Valley Neurosciences, Chippewa Valley Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, Confluence Healthcare, DeFatta ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery, Diagnostic Radiology Associates, Eau Claire G.I. Associates, Evergreen Surgical, Foot and Ankle Clinic, Hesse Foot & Ankle Clinic, Interventional Pain Specialists of Wisconsin, Medical X-Ray Consultants, Merrick Plastic & Hand Surgery, Northwest Radiation Oncology Associates, Nystrom & Associates, Pathology, SC, Plastic Surgery Clinic of Eau Claire, Sunrise Family Care Clinic, Thomas Peller, MD, Western Wisconsin Urology, Winding Rivers Counseling, and Wisconsin Brain & Spine Center.
OakLeaf Medical Network clinics are in the following counties: Barron, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Pepin, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, St. Croix, Trempealeau, and Washburn.
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