MADISON – Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County (MHLC) has affiliated with Madison-based UnityPoint Health – Meriter to improve care for patients in southwest Wisconsin.
    “MHLC and Meriter have a strong, longstanding relationship,” said Kathleen Kuepers, Chief Operating Officer at Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County. “In today’s evolving healthcare landscape, we’re pleased to move forward with a partner who closely understands our community and its needs.”
    “Many Meriter specialists, including heart and vascular and neurology, regularly travel to Lafayette County to treat for patients closer to home,” said Art Nizza, president and CEO at UnityPoint Health – Meriter. “This affiliation will allow us to seamlessly provide patients care when and where they need it, whether it’s in Darlington or Madison.”
    Through this affiliation, MHLC will gain access to UnityPoint Health’s electronic medical records system, continuing education opportunities for clinical staff, and shared best practices through a strong network of like rural and critical access hospitals across Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois.
    This affiliation is not a financial transaction and no entities were purchased. Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County employees will not change employment and the hospital name is not changing. There are no leadership or governance changes at MHLC.
About Memorial Hospital
of Lafayette County
    MHLC is a 25 bed critical access hospital that provides high quality and comprehensive rural health services to Lafayette County residents and the surrounding areas.
About UnityPoint Health – Meriter
    UnityPoint Health – Meriter provides comprehensive, coordinated care to patients in the Greater Madison area through our clinics, hospital and home care services. Meriter offers primary and specialty care, including heart and vascular, orthopedics, women’s health, and is home to the busiest birthing center in Wisconsin. In 2016, Meriter earned an overall 5-Star quality rating from the Centers from Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), was named a 100 Top Hospital ® by Truven Health Analytics™ and won an Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ from Healthgrades. For more information, visit unitypoint.org.