Moves Designed To Keep Healthcare Vibrant In Rural Communities For Future Generations
ThedaCare announced changes to its management teams today at Wild Rose Community Memorial Hospital and ThedaCare Medical Center-Waupaca to align the organizations for the future. Craig Kantos will become the CEO for both the Wild Rose and Waupaca campuses. Dawn Shuman, RN, will shift from her role as CEO at Wild Rose Community Memorial Hospital to become the Director of Nursing and Patient Care for both Wild Rose and Waupaca hospitals.
“For several months, our teams in Wild Rose, Waupaca and throughout ThedaCare have been thoughtfully studying the most effective way to keep healthcare vibrant in our communities today – and for generations to come,” said Brian Burmeister, senior vice president, ThedaCare Medical Centers. “As our system matures, our leadership structure needs to evolve to meet the changing healthcare needs in our communities. We have incredible leadership teams in our rural hospitals. There is still a great deal of work ahead of us as we seek to efficiently deliver high-quality care. I’m confident the shifts we’re announcing today will make a positive impact for our patients and staff.”
Shuman began her healthcare career as a nurse. Her desire to enhance the consistency, quality and safety of nursing practices throughout ThedaCare, along with her administrative experience, helped lead her team through the integration with ThedaCare. Kantos has served as the CEO for ThedaCare Medical Center-Waupaca for 17 years. He led Waupaca’s integration team with ThedaCare and has overseen several building projects on the Waupaca campus. His team has been recognized with numerous patient satisfaction awards. Both will begin their new roles July 1, 2016.
“Craig and I see our new roles as a team effort, and we believe our combined talents will be good for both organizations,” said Shuman. “We have accomplished so much in the past two years and we understand there is important work yet to do. I’m inspired by the potential the future will bring.”
Burmeister also announced that Betty Jo Balzar, current director of nursing in Waupaca, has taken a new role as director of clinical informatics for ThedaCare and Jenifer Danzeisen, currently director of nursing in Wild Rose, will transition to a manager role with primary responsibility for the Wild Rose clinics as well as clinical leadership in the Wild Rose Hospital.
“I look forward to working with Dawn and everyone at Wild Rose to find new ways to collaborate and continue to enhance the patient experience,” Kantos said.
For more than 100 years, ThedaCare™ has been committed to finding a better way to deliver serious and complex healthcare to patients throughout Northeast Wisconsin. The organization serves over 200,000 patients annually and employs more than 6,800 healthcare professionals throughout the region. ThedaCare has seven hospitals located in Appleton, Neenah, Berlin, Waupaca, Shawano, New London and Wild Rose as well as 34 clinics in 14 counties. ThedaCare is the first in Wisconsin to be a Mayo Clinic Care Network Member, giving our specialists the ability to consult with Mayo Clinic experts on a patient’s care. ThedaCare is a non-profit healthcare organization with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs as well as a foundation dedicated to community service. The ThedaCare Regional Cancer Center in Appleton opened in February. For more information, visit www.thedacare.org or follow ThedaCare on Facebook and Twitter
