History of Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital
The History of Compassionate Care
On April 8, 1903, Dr. C.J. Sorsen, a well- established physician opened Northern Michigan General Hospital and Training School for Nurses in Laurium. This new hospital, the "original" Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital was privately owned by Dr. Sorsen but open to the public and any physician desiring to serve patients there. The facility boasted 50 rooms including five operating rooms, male and female wards, a medical library, modern kitchen and laundry facilities, and a sterilization room. An elevator, electric bells, and speaking tubes to communicate between rooms were some of the “modern” amenities.
On May 23, 1908, Northern Michigan General Hospital and Training School for Nurses was reborn as the non-profit Calumet Public Hospital, replacing Dr. Sorsen's Private Hospital and continuing the legacy of public healthcare for the people of the Keweenaw.
With the face of rural health care changing, hospitals, especially rural hospitals, needed to remain vigilant and adapt to best serve their communities well into the future. Calumet Public changed its name to Keweenaw Memorial Medical Center in 1995. With a new name and new direction in mind, Keweenaw Memorial extended its reach in the community on a variety of fronts. Hospital services were combined with physician's services when a new Health Center, adjoining Keweenaw Memorial Medical Center, was completed becoming the epicenter of local medical care with additional office space for visiting specialists.
Throughout the nineties and into the 21st century, growth was everywhere for Keweenaw Memorial with Rehab & Fitness Centers opening in Laurium and Houghton, a walk-in clinic established in Lake Linden, and Northridge Pines assisted living center opening its doors to area senior citizens.
On July 1, 2008, Keweenaw Memorial entered into a partnership with Aspirus, Inc. of Wausau, Wisconsin. This affilitation is with one of the regions strongest health care systems. Aspirus, Inc. services people in 14 Wisconsin counties and the Upper Peninsula and repeatedly has been recognized for clinical excellence. The new affiliation has resulted in new local resources and technologies, as well as access to more health care experts to complement the existing personnel.
Although Aspirus Keweenaw has expanded its role over the years, it continues to uphold the tradition of caring established more than a century ago. The personal "small town" touch, along with the people of Aspirus Keweenaw who provide it, has endeared the facility to her patients and made the hospital the heart of the community.
