A history wall has been completed at ThedaCare Medical Center-New London thanks to generous donors and the ThedaCare Family of Foundations. The New London History Wall features photos, documents and memorabilia from the hospital.
For more than 90 years, caregivers in New London have been dedicated to making health care accessible for those in nearby communities. The original New London Community Hospital of the 1920s now serves as ThedaCare Medical Center of New London and delivers a wide range of services and specialties to those living in Outagamie and Waupaca counties. Services include surgery and chemotherapy centers, as well as routine and emergency care.
The idea for the New London History Wall was sparked by long-time team member, New London native and generous donor to the project, Dr. Donn Fuhrmann. The project was inspired after Dr. Fuhrmann saw a similar history wall at ThedaCare Medical Center-Waupaca.
“The New London History Wall is very special to me because I’ve lived it for the last 42 years,” said Dr. Fuhrmann, Family Medicine Physician at ThedaCare Physicians-New London. “I wanted to find a way to showcase the incredible care that has been provided by so many over the years in the New London area.”
A multi-departmental committee of past and current employees, along with support from the ThedaCare Family of Foundations, began planning and preparing the History Wall as a way to share and honor the unique and impressive medical history of ThedaCare Medical Center-New London. The committee put out a call to the public, asking community members to share copies of photos, newspaper clippings and other pieces of medical history to include in the project.
Organizers said they expect to see the history wall continue to grow with new additions as community members come forward with more memorabilia, and as advancements in the medical community take place.
“There is a great collection of wonderful artifacts for people to see,” explained Courtney Weiland, Vice President of Philanthropy with the ThedaCare Family of Foundations. “While the New London History Wall will help preserve health care history, it can also highlight the incredible growth and quality of care in rural communities.”
“We started out as a small hospital and grew into a center where patients and families can receive excellent care, close to home,” said Dr. Fuhrmann. “The New London History Wall is a powerful, visual tool to educate the public and showcase the many health care changes and technological improvements that have taken place over the last hundred years in our community.”
The ThedaCare Medical Center-New London History Wall can be found in the hallway between the primary care clinic and the hospital. During the current increase of COVID-19 cases in the community, ThedaCare asks that community members adhere to current visitor restrictions and safety precautions in place at ThedaCare facilities. For current visitor restrictions, please visit: thedacare.org/covid19.
Heart of a Donor Series
This article is the first in a planned series featuring generous donors who support the ThedaCare Family of Foundations. Donations to the ThedaCare Family of Foundations help fund projects and programs on many levels across the system.
“Every donation helps create healthier future for our community,” said Weiland. “We are inspired by the generosity of our donors who give to help care for family, friends and neighbors.”
If you know a donor, or community organization, who has a connection to the ThedaCare Family of Foundations, and believe should be featured in the “Heart of a Donor” series, please email Foundations@thedacare.org. To learn more about the ThedaCare Family of Foundations and the impact of donor support, please visit thedacare.org/Foundations.
About ThedaCare
For more than 110 years, ThedaCare® has been committed to improving the health of the communities it serves in northeast and central Wisconsin. The organization delivers care to more than 600,000 residents in 17 counties and employs approximately 7,000 health care professionals. ThedaCare has 180 points of care, including seven hospitals. As an organization committed to being a leader in Population Health, team members are dedicated to empowering people to live their best lives through easy access to individualized care, supporting each person’s own health and wellbeing. ThedaCare also partners with communities to understand unique 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 on a patient’s 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.
