WAUSAU, Wis. — Aspirus Health has announced plans for a $30 million renovation and expansion project at Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital in Laurium in the Upper Peninsula.

The funds will be used to —

— Update the efficiency and effectiveness of existing infrastructure.

— Redesign and remodel inpatient rooms to a larger, more comfortable private layout that supports advanced care delivery, technology and a better patient experience.

— Increase access to orthopedic care.

— Consolidate services and improve patient flow and convenience.

— Improve walk-in and same-day primary care access.

“Aspirus Health is committed to the Upper Peninsula, and to continuously transforming to meet the changing needs of its communities,” said Christine Harff, Aspirus U.P. Region president. “Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and recent economic challenges, we have stayed strong through foresight, integration and rigorous continuous improvement. We are happy to be able to invest these resources in support of the people who depend on us for excellent, compassionate care.”

Aspirus also will transition Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital to a rural health clinic, which it said will provide services that better match local needs in a community that has changed dramatically in recent years.

Effective April 20, Aspirus in Ontonagon will provide:

— Primary care;

— Same-day access;

— Core laboratory services;

— Imaging services;

— Physical, occupational and speech therapy;

— Retail pharmacy services;

— Specialty outreach for cardiology, women’s health, podiatry and diabetes care.

Hospital and emergency services will be replaced by a robust suite of outpatient-only services, Aspirus stated in a news release. Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital currently averages just one inpatient a day, with no inpatients on some days.

Aspirus Health values every one of its team members and is working directly with each employee in Ontonagon whose role will change to find a new position within the system, it stated in the news release. Human resources leaders are meeting individually with staff, offering a range of services and resources to support a smooth transition.

Aspirus Health is a non-profit, community-directed health system based in Wausau, Wis., with 11,000 employees in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan.

Aspirus Health serves communities through four hospitals in Michigan and 13 hospitals in Wisconsin, 75 clinics, home health and hospice care, pharmacies, critical care and air-medical transport, medical goods, nursing homes and a broad network of physicians.

For more information, go online to aspirus.org.