Prime Kare Home Health Services joins Aspirus Keweenaw Home Services
April 20, 2010 in Aspirus News
Health care leaders announced that Prime Kare Home Health Services of Houghton is joining Aspirus Keweenaw Home Services of Calumet in a merger that will preserve about 25 local jobs and ensure the continuation of a vital health service. Effective May 1, 2010 Prime Kare owner Denise LaPointe will retire, and Prime Kare workers will be employed by Aspirus Keweenaw Home Services.The many people in the Houghton area who rely on Prime Kare for home services will continue to receive the same compassionate, excellent care – just under a new name.
Prime Kare owner Denise LaPointe has been considering retirement, but wanted to wait for the right partner. She believes Aspirus Keweenaw Home Services is the perfect fit.
“My primary goal was to find a partner that would continue to employ my staff and serve our clients with the same high quality they’ve come to expect,” LaPointe said. “My contacts with Aspirus have all been positive, and the care they provide is terrific.”
Based in Calumet, Aspirus Keweenaw Home Services and sister company Aspirus Keweenaw Home Health and Hospice employ about 100 workers and serve more than 150 clients in Houghton and Keweenaw counties. The addition of Prime Kare will expand the service area and increase opportunities for collaboration and efficiency.
Aspirus Keweenaw Home Services Administrator Wanda Kolb looks forward to the partnership.
“Together we will continue to elevate the care we provide to our clients,” Kolb said. Her organization joined Wausau, Wis.-based health system Aspirus in June 2009 after long discussions about the financial, clinical and cultural impact such a partnership could have on the organization and community. The Aspirus philosophy of care – passion for excellence and compassion for people – resonated with leaders, employees and the community, and the results of the relationship have been very positive.
