WATERTOWN, S.D.(KWAT)–Prairie Lakes Healthcare System and Brown Clinic have finalized plans to merge, effective January 1, 2024.

Brown Clinic will then become Prairie Lakes Brown Clinic.

Prairie Lakes Board Chairman Vince Foley said the agreement is “monumental for both organizations and a step forward for the community of Watertown. Creating more cohesive care will make it easier for patients to access health care services from primary care to specialty and hospital care all under one unified health system.”

Brown Clinic General Partner, Dr. Stacie Lenssen said, “Brown Clinic and Prairie Lakes have a long history of collaboration, so it feels natural to formalize our relationship to ensure that exceptional health care stays local and accessible for Watertown and the surrounding communities.”

In May, the organizations signed a letter of intent and entered into a period of due diligence to reach a definitive agreement.

There are many details of the agreement that will be addressed during the transition period that will take place between now and January 1st.

A “frequently asked questions” document is available on the Brown Clinic and Prairie Lakes Healthcare System websites.