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WAUSAU, Wis. - In 2006, Ontonagon Memorial Hospital was experiencing financial troubles, so discussions began with representatives of the Wausau, Wis.-based Aspirus System about ways to remedy those troubles.

Bob Erickson, regional chief operational officer for Aspirus, said OMH representatives contacted the Wisconsin company.

"We were asked to come in," Erickson said. "They were basically out of cash."

At the time Aspirus was contacted, Erickson said OMH officials were also contacting other hospital systems in Michigan and Wisconsin.

Although it was first thought Aspirus would just be a partner with OMH, which was owned by the village of Ontonagon, Erickson said it was eventually decided to buy the hospital, which was done on Feb. 7.

"It became part of our overall growth strategy," he said.

Because the population of the Upper Peninsula is so sparse, and health care facilities are spread out, Erickson said Aspirus officials saw the purchase as a way to continue to provide services to the community.

"Our goal is to give them seamless access," he said. "We found people didn't have an affinity for any one place."

In making the decision about buying an existing hospital, Erickson said officials look for facilities which already have good services.

"We try to invest in and upgrade services that can be done locally," he said.

Although Ontonagon Memorial Hospital is now Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital, Erickson said it has its own board, which is looking for a new CEO.

Kurt Hauglie can be reached at khauglie@mininggazette.com.