After the closure of the original Oconto Memorial Hospital, a group of dedicated community members began searching for a partner to bring healthcare back to the area. Among them was Dr. John Honish, who began his general practice in Oconto in 1965.
“We were really upset when the old Oconto Memorial Hospital closed,” said Dr. Honish. “Bellin stepped up, and we got active in helping secure funds to support it — because it’s important for our community to have access to healthcare.”
In 2005, Bellin answered the call, partnering with the community to build a new hospital and ensure continued access to care. June 2025 marked 20 years since the opening of the Oconto Hospital.
Today, the 56,000-square-foot facility offers a wide range of services and facility features, including:
- Ambulance bay
- Behavioral health clinic
- Full diagnostic suite with CT and X-ray
- In-house lab and pharmacy
- Inpatient wing
- Outpatient family medical clinic
- Outpatient surgery center
- Partnership with Eagle III Helicopter
- Trauma room
Beyond medical care, Bellin Health Oconto Hospital and The Bellin Health Foundation are deeply involved in the community, supporting events and programs like the Kid’s Triathlon, Marinette 5K Heart Run/Walk, No Girl Without Campaign and the HER & HIS Program at Oconto High School.
As we celebrate this milestone, we reflect on two decades of dedicated service to the northern communities of Northeast Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.