Aspirus Creates Family House

Aspirus is pleased to announce a project that exemplifies our commitment to transforming to better serve patients and families who choose us for their care. 

The Need

The Aspirus health system serves patients in 14 counties across northern and central Wisconsin, as well as the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The integrated system includes four hospitals in Michigan, four hospitals in Wisconsin and 50 clinics throughout the region. Our patients have access to excellent local health services, and world-class specialty care.

Every year, thousands of people travel to Wausau from the regions served by our hospitals and clinics for specialty care at Aspirus. This includes patients traveling for long-term outpatient care, as well as families whose loved ones are hospitalized, and patients traveling for early or late-day appointments. Our most vulnerable patients and families cannot afford housing even at the discounted rates offered by our hotel partners. Their options are to either forgo care, or sleep in their cars, in waiting rooms, or other challenging accommodations. They need our help.

The Solution

In partnership with our community and medical partners, Aspirus is creating a safe, affordable, temporary home away from home for patients traveling to Wausau to receive critical medical care and families dealing with loved ones’ serious illnesses or medical crises.

The Family House will be located in very close proximity to Aspirus Wausau Hospital. The current ENT & Allergy Associates building located on the corner of 28^thAvenue and Westhill Drive will be purchased and renovated. The Family House will include ten bedrooms with private bathrooms and shared living spaces designed as a home-like environment, conducive to healing and support from our community and others going through similar health experiences.

The Family House will be different from a hotel in that patients and families will be referred by physicians, social workers, referral coordinators and other Aspirus team members based on need (financial, distance traveled, degree of illness, and duration of treatment, etc.). Guests of the Family House will be served by dedicated staff, and volunteers. Community groups will provide additional support.

The Success

The project is expected to cost about $4.5 million. All eight Aspirus hospitals in Wisconsin and the U.P. of Michigan and the Aspirus Health Foundation have committed a total of $2.5 million. Donors in our community and medical community have generously given gifts totaling $1.9 million to help bring the Family House to life.

Construction is scheduled to start July 2019, and the Family House will begin serving guests in January 2020.

How You Can Help

The Aspirus Health Foundation invites individuals, businesses, and groups in our community to help create the Family House through a charitable donation. Details about the project and Give Healing a Home campaign and goal to raise $100,000 are available online at aspirus.org/familyhouse.

For more information, visit aspirus.org.