When Markesan resident David Hahn needed emergency care, he didn’t hesitate to choose ThedaCare Medical Center-Fond du Lac. After his positive experience, he was glad he did.
“I was always informed about my treatments and could not be more pleased about the whole process,” he says.
That’s exactly what people can expect when they visit ThedaCare Medical Center-Fond du Lac, says Cristina Raish, RN community hospital clinical director for ThedaCare. “We strive to provide that same level of seamless care to all the patients we see.”
April 16, 2026, marks the one-year anniversary of ThedaCare Medical Center-Fond du Lac. As we celebrate this milestone, Hahn’s story illustrates the impact of offering expanded care to the greater Fond du Lac community.
David’s Story
This past winter, David became ill with what he assumed was pneumonia. In the wee hours of the morning on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, Hahn’s condition became serious.
“Friday night, it just got unbearably painful, and I had trouble breathing,” he says. “I didn’t think it was a heart attack, but I knew there was something wrong.”
Thanks to past positive experiences with the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin health network, David chose the Froedtert & MCW Fond du Lac East Johnson Clinic for his primary care. When he needed emergency care, his wife, Debbie, decided to bring him to ThedaCare Medical Center-Fond du Lac. Though it’s a 30-mile drive to Fond du Lac from their community, the Hahns thought it was worth the trip to get David the care he needed.
By the time the couple arrived, David was in so much pain, he couldn’t move on his own. Teams were ready for him.
“They got me in right away, and there was no waiting,” he says.
Emergency Medicine Physician Charles Washington, MD, was working in the emergency department that evening.
“Dr. Washington immediately ordered a CT scan and diagnosed a blood clot in my right lung,” Hahn says. “Within about an hour, I was being treated.”
Because of concerns about David’s heart, the team arranged for him to receive a higher level of care at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton, the ThedaCare hub for cardiovascular care. ThedaCare Cardiovascular Care is nationally recognized for cardiac care.
“When I did get to Appleton, they had everything set up,” Hahn says. “I saw three doctors right away.”
Tests showed Hahn’s heart wasn’t in danger. Teams in Appleton continued the blood thinner treatment Dr. Washington had started in Fond du Lac. Hahn began to feel better quickly and went home the next day.
Today, Hahn, a retired dairy farmer, is doing well and has resumed his active lifestyle. His favorite activities include working outside and spending time with his family, which includes three children and six grandchildren.
“I’d go back to ThedaCare in a heartbeat if I had to have something done,” he says. “I’ve been impressed with the whole program there.”
Expert Care
David’s experience exemplifies the kind of emergency care people can expect to receive at ThedaCare, says Nathan Larsen, MD, medical director of the emergency department (ED) at ThedaCare Medical Center-Fond du Lac.
“Patients and their families are at the center of everything we do,” he says. “We strive to provide prompt, exceptional care and keep people informed throughout their time with us.”
Though David required a higher level of care at another medical center, Dr. Larsen says that’s often not the case.
“We care for the vast majority of our patients — around 95% — onsite in Fond du Lac,” he says. “We’re well-prepared to meet the needs of the community. When that next level of care is necessary, we are conveniently located between the Fox Cities and Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee and are prepared to make the process seamless.”
William Kumprey, MD, associate chief medical officer of emergency medicine for ThedaCare, emphasizes the specialized emergency care available to people through ThedaCare.
“In our emergency departments, we have board-certified ED physicians,” he says. “This means the physician treating you has completed rigorous, specialized training specifically focused on emergency medicine. Our physicians have expertise in handling urgent and life-threatening conditions.”
Celebrating a Year of Impact
ThedaCare Medical Center-Fond du Lac opened in April 2025 with the goal of meeting the need for increased access to care for the greater Fond du Lac community. In addition to emergency care, the medical center offers inpatient hospital care, advanced imaging, outpatient lab services, and cardiology and neurology care.
The services available through ThedaCare Medical Center-Fond du Lac complement the offerings at the nearby Froedtert & MCW Fond du Lac East Johnson Clinic. The clinic is proud to offer comprehensive primary care, with same-day appointments often available. It also offers orthopedic care, mammography, X-ray, lab and ThedaCare At Work services.
“Our focus is to ensure we’re providing the right care, at the right time, at the right place,” says Jenny Nikolai, vice president of ThedaCare Medical Centers-Fond du Lac and Oshkosh. “As part of an integrated delivery system, Froedtert ThedaCare is here to ensure you receive the care you need and deserve.”
Here are two ways ThedaCare Medical Center-Fond du Lac has made a difference in its first year.
- Expanding access: The medical center provided nearly 15,000 medical services across emergency care, cardiology, imaging and lab.
- Providing quick, efficient care: On average, a board-certified emergency medicine physician will see you quickly, oftentimes in less than 10 minutes.
Reflecting on the past year, Nikolai also looks to the future. “We look forward to many more years to come and continuing to care for the greater Fond du Lac community.”
