Expanding and Enhancing Services to Provide Specialized Care to Expectant Mothers, Babies and Families
To recognize the 114th anniversary of ThedaCare first opening its doors to provide comprehensive health care to the people of Northeast and Central Wisconsin, the health system is updating the progress of the next phase of the $100M investment to modernize ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah.
The Inspired Past; Healthier Future Modernization, which was announced in October 2021,
is transforming health care for all those living in the region, and allows ThedaCare to continue its commitment to keeping care local in the Fox Cities.
This phase includes enhancements and updates to the Family Birth Center, allowing families to welcome little ones into the world in a modern, comfortable and soothing environment. It also has a special connection to ThedaCare’s history.
Today, the Family Birth Center has been named the Theda Clark Peters Family Birth Center.
The opportunity to provide care for the people in our region was made possible more than a century ago when Theda Clark Peters directed a significant portion of her estate to be used to build a hospital in Neenah after her death so community members would have local access to medical care. On October 18, 1909, the sixth birthday for Theda’s daughter, ThedaCare opened its first doors.
As part of the Neenah hospital’s $100 million modernization project, the Theda and Tamblin Clark Smith Family Foundation generously donated funds towards an updated birthing center.
“The gift was a fitting contribution given Theda Clark Peters’ tragic death from complications during childbirth,” said Joy Radford, the foundation’s Executive Director. “This event shaped Theda Clark Smith personally and philanthropically. The Foundation wants to honor that desire to care for the community, and in particular, the women, children and families who will benefit from the birthing center.”
United in purpose with ThedaCare, Radford said compassion and care are at the core of what the Foundation does.
“ThedaCare is honored to continue the vision of Theda Clark Peters and her family by providing care to patients and families, and empowering each person to live their unique, best life,” said Lynn Detterman, Senior Vice President of ThedaCare South Region. “Through their support, ThedaCare can help ensure mothers and babies have the most up-to-date technology and facilities designed with patients in mind to allow care teams to continue to offer the right care, in the right place.”
Updates to Family Birth will Enhance Experience
With the completion of construction to the Family Birth Center, families will notice updated rooms in some areas. The updates include modern furniture for partners and family members who are supporting new moms and babies. The new amenities can provide the space that allows partners to stay comfortably during the first days of a new baby’s life.
“With more options in the room, we hope partners and other loved ones will feel they have the space needed to enjoy those special moments more comfortably,” said Kimberly Goodacre, MSN, RN, Family Birth Care Manager at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah. “We want to do everything we can to ensure families have the support they need to have a positive experience as they welcome their little ones into the world.”
The goal of the space is to create a comfortable, soothing environment through new finishes, furniture and paint.
“In addition to the timely, specialized and coordinated care that our moms and babies receive in the Family Birth Center, we hope the thoughtful updates lead to an enhanced experience for families,” said Detterman. “These moments are incredibly special for families, and our team members are honored to provide care for them.”
Obstetrical Emergency Department and Hospitalist Program
As part of the updates and enhancement of the Family Birth Center at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah, a new program and area have been created to ensure access to innovative emergency obstetrical care. In October 2022, ThedaCare announced the creation of an Obstetrical Emergency Department (OB-ED) and Hospitalist Program. The addition of these hospital-based women’s services can help teams continue providing comprehensive, safe care for expectant mothers and babies in Northeast and Central Wisconsin.
Located in the updated Family Birth Center, providers in the OB-ED can care for pregnant women who come to the hospital for obstetrical concerns such as abdominal pain or bleeding. The program will operate around the clock, and be staffed by board-certified physician specialists. The updated Family Birth Center now includes triage beds for the OB-ED.
ThedaCare is working with provider partners to develop best practices in care for expectant mothers, which can help improve patient outcomes and experience, and continue advancing maternal care in the area.
Through the OB-ED and Hospitalist Program, women who are more than 16 weeks pregnant will go to the obstetrical triage area located in the OB-ED at Family Birth Center at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah. The program ensures a highly specialized doctor to be available to evaluate a woman immediately, without waiting for the patient’s doctor to arrive on site, or providing a consultation over the phone.
Construction Continues
The next areas of focus for the Modernization include the following:
- Create “Main Street”, where key diagnostic outpatient services will be located on the first floor of the hospital to ensure easier patient access.
- Design a new dining area on the main floor for the convenience of visitors and team members.
Enhancements to better the patient experience through the Modernization Project at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah were funded in part through donors who support the ThedaCare Foundation-Neenah. The Foundation worked with generous donors within the community to raise more than $15M of philanthropic support. In addition, the Foundation released $25M from existing assets to provide a total of $40M in support of this Modernization Project.
The full modernization is expected to be complete in early 2024.
To recognize the 114th anniversary of ThedaCare first opening its doors to provide comprehensive health care to the people of Northeast and Central Wisconsin, the health system is updating the progress of the next phase of the $100M investment to modernize ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah. This phase includes enhancements and updates to the Family Birth Center, allowing families to welcome little ones into the world in a modern, comfortable and soothing environment. It also has a special connection to ThedaCare’s history. Today, the Family Birth Center has been named the Theda Clark Peters Family Birth Center. Photo from left-right:
- Kelly Otto, RN, Clinical Supervisor, Family Birth Center at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah
- Kimberly Goodacre, MSN, RN, Family Birth Center Manager at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah
- Grace Gonzalez, BSN, MBA, CMSRN, Vice President of Nursing of ThedaCare South Region
- Barbara Beuscher, CFRE, ThedaCare Chief Philanthropy Officer and Senior Vice President
- Lynn Detterman, Senior Vice President of ThedaCare South Region
- Pierce Smith, Theda and Tamblin Clark Smith Family Foundation
- Joy Radford, Executive Director of the Theda and Tamblin Clark Smith Family Foundation
- David Radford, Theda and Tamblin Clark Smith Family Foundation
About ThedaCare
For more than 110 years, ThedaCare® has been committed to improving the health and well-being of the communities it serves in Northeast and Central Wisconsin. The organization delivers care to more than 650,000 residents in 17 counties and employs approximately 7,000 providers and team members. ThedaCare has 180 points of care, including eight hospitals. As an organization committed to being a leader in Population Health, team members are dedicated to empowering people to live their unique, best lives. ThedaCare also partners with communities to understand needs, finding solutions together, and encouraging health awareness and action. ThedaCare is the first in Wisconsin to be a Mayo Clinic Care Network Member, giving specialists the ability to consult with Mayo Clinic experts about a patient’s care. ThedaCare is proud to partner with Children’s Wisconsin and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin health network to enhance convenient access to the most advanced levels of specialty care. ThedaCare is a not-for-profit health system with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs, as well as primary care.
For more information, visit thedacare.org or follow ThedaCare on social media. Members of the media should call Cassandra Wallace, Public and Media Relations Consultant at 920.442.0328 or the ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah switchboard at 920.729.3100 and ask for the marketing person on call.
