Noble Community Clinics and Lakeshore Community Health Care announced today that they will merge under the name Noble Community Clinics. Together, they will expand access to high-quality, affordable healthcare for nearly 40,000 people across east-central, central, and south-central Wisconsin.
Both organizations are long-standing Federally Qualified Health Centers, committed to removing barriers and ensuring care for all, regardless of income, insurance status, language, or location. They provide a broad range of services including medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy; serving both urban and rural communities as well as Wisconsin’s agricultural workers across the state.
The merger reflects a proactive, strategic decision to strengthen the role of both organizations as essential safety net providers across a 15-county region. By joining together, the organizations can expand their reach, improve coordination, and respond to the region’s growing need for comprehensive healthcare.
“This new partnership is about integrating our two health centers; building on our shared values and ensuring people can get the right care, at the right time, in the right way,” said Laura Waldvogel, CEO of Noble Community Clinics. “By uniting our strengths, we can bring more services to more communities and deepen the impact of the care we provide.”
The merger is not driven by financial need, but by a shared commitment to strengthening care for the communities they serve. By joining forces, the integrated organization will enhance sustainability, create more opportunities for staff and patients, and prepare for the future of healthcare delivery. The combined organization will invest in workforce development and provider retention, expand services to meet changing community needs, modernize facilities, and adopt innovative care models that improve patient outcomes.
Kristin Stearns, CEO of Lakeshore Community Health Care, added: “Together, we can offer patients greater access to compassionate, comprehensive care while also supporting the dedicated staff who make that care possible.
In the coming months, teams from both organizations will work closely to align operations, bring together cultures, and keep patients, staff, and community partners informed. The unified organization is expected to launch in early 2026, pending federal approval.
“This is an exciting new chapter,” Waldvogel and Stearns said in a joint statement. “We are building a stronger, more resilient healthcare network, one that will serve our patients, staff, and communities today and for generations to come.”
ABOUT LAKESHORE COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE
Lakeshore Community Health Care provides primary medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services for all, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. The non-profits’ mission is to provide access to high-quality, comprehensive health care and reduce health disparities for underserved people in Manitowoc, Sheboygan and Washington Counties with a focus on serving low-income families, individuals, the uninsured and underinsured, and those enrolled in Medicaid (BadgerCare).
ABOUT NOBLE COMMUNITY CLINICS
Established in 1973, Noble Community Clinics is a Federally Qualified Health Center serving central and south-central Wisconsin. Noble’s mission is to ensure access to high-quality, integrated health services and to promote the well-being of everyone in the communities it serves. The organization focuses on removing barriers to care and providing essential services to all, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Noble offers comprehensive medical, dental, behavioral health, WIC and pharmacy services. In addition to fixed sites, Noble operates extensive mobile health services in schools and for Wisconsin’s agricultural workers statewide.
