Our Story

Black River Health was formed in 2025 after Krohn Clinic and Black River Memorial Hospital joined together with a shared goal to better serve our community through stronger, more patient-centric care.

Our Mission

Outstanding and comprehensive healthcare for you and your family, delivered locally with compassion.

Our Vision

To provide exceptional care close to home, growing alongside our communities with compassion, connection, and a commitment to sustainability.

Our Values

Compassion: To take care of our patients and visitors as if they were our own family.

Integrity: We do what’s right – even when no one is watching.

Collaboration: Together, we are stronger.

Innovation & Growth: We embrace change to grow and improve.

Respect: To recognize the inherent worth and dignity of all people.

Momentum Magazine

Sharing true stories about local people, with real advice from our doctors and advanced practice clinicians. 

Read Issue | Puzzle Answers

Previous issues: Summer/Fall 2025 | Winter 2024 | Spring 2024 | Spring 2023 | Fall 2022 | Summer 2022

Community Health Needs Assessment

We complete Community Health Needs Assessments every 3 years to assess the health needs of the people within the community we serve. The process includes getting community feedback and using information about our community to determine health needs. 

2025 COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT

Previous Community Health Needs Assessments: 20252022 | 2019

Previous Community Health Improvement Plans: 2023-2025 | 2020-2022 | 2017-2019

By the Numbers

    • 1932 | Year that Krohn Clinic’s group practice opened its doors
    • 1968 | Year that Black River Memorial Hospital opened its doors
    • 25 | Number of licensed beds
    • 400+ | Number of doctors, advance practice clinicians, and employees

Awards & Accolades

    • 2025 | Honored as one of the top 100 critical access hospitals in the United States by The Chartis Center for Rural Health
    • 2024 | Received Performance Leadership Award from The Chartis Center for Rural Health
    • 2024 | Recognized with Award of Distinction for Excellent Performance in inpatient services by Professional Research Consultants
    • 2022 | Honored as one of the top 100 critical access hospitals in the United States by The Chartis Center for Rural Health
    • 2020 | Excellence in Healthcare Award from Huron’s Studer Group for the Overall HCAHPS, Care Transitions category.
    • 2020| Women’s Choice Award

Leadership Team

Our leadership team is dedicated to our mission of serving you with excellence. If you would like to contact any one of our Senior Leaders, email leadership@blackriverhealth.com.

Michelle Clark-Forsting, MD

Chief Physician Executive

Carl Selvick

Chief Executive Officer

Cathy Bukowski

VP of Finance/CFO

Nicole Schweitzer

VP of Provider & Clinical Services

Julia Smith

VP of Patient Care Services, Risk Officer, & Compliance Officer

Board of Directors

Tim Tranberg

Chair

Kathy Potter

Vice-Chair

Tom Walker, MD

Treasurer

Carl Selvick

Secretary

Michelle Clark-Forsting, MD

Wally Apland III

Chris Penza

Kirk Lane, MD

Nicholas Kitowski, MD

Carol Martin, MD

Donation Request

If your non-profit organization helps improve community health and would like a financial or an in-kind donation, please fill out the form below. Black River Health does not donate to individuals or businesses.

LICENSED BY | Wisconsin Division of Health

ACCREDITED BY | The Joint Commission (Black River Memorial Hospital and Krohn Clinic) and The Compliance Team (Krohn Clinic and Black River Healthcare Clinic)

CERTIFIED BY OR MEMBER OF | Wisconsin Hospital Association, Western Hospital District, Provider Hospital Health Insurance Program (Medicare), Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services, Shared Health Services Corporation, Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative