MARSHFIELD, Wis. — Essentia Health and Marshfield Clinic Health System have chosen not to move forward with a proposed integration after discussions that took place over the past two years.

In a joint announcement Friday, the health care providers said they will continue to seek opportunities for collaboration.

“Essentia Health and the Marshfield Clinic Health System are high-performing, well-respected, community-focused organizations,” MCHS Interim CEO Dr. Brian Hoerneman said. “Those similarities served as the basis for efforts toward a combination. As we now move our separate ways, Marshfield Clinic looks forward to advancing our 100-year legacy of providing compassionate and accessible care to the communities we serve.”

Marshfield Clinic Health System serves Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula with more than 1,600 providers comprising 170 specialties, health plan, and research and education programs.

Essentia Health serves patients in Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota and has 2,350 physicians and advanced practitioners.