July 25, 2016
Healthcare decisions can be difficult. Three major factors determine how healthcare decisions are made. When considering a treatment or a procedure the factors that need to be considered are the risks, the benefits and the cost. The main challenge is to be able to predict the potential benefit of a treatment or a procedure compared to the risk of the treatment or procedure. The other challenge is to know if the cost is justified by the potential benefit gained.
For Kay Thoma, who was seeking a shift in careers a few years ago, it was a perfect job because she wanted to work someplace where she could help people. “It’s a wonderful team environment,” said Thoma. “I love being a certified medical assistant (CMA) and working with other CMAs at ThedaCare. We work so well together; it’s almost like we know what each other is thinking. Everyone is ready to step in whenever you need a hand. No one says, ‘it’s not my job,’ – they just pitch in and get things done.”
When Dr. Ann Jones joined ThedaCare in 1999, she was fresh out of medical school and ready to start her career. She knew in her heart that pediatrics was in her soul.
When Dr. Zachary Baeseman grew up in a rural village in north central Wisconsin there were no traffic lights and no fast food restaurants. His medical training took him from Wisconsin to Seattle. Today he’s back in the area, providing full-scope family medicine at ThedaCare in Waupaca. And he couldn’t be happier.
When Brady Grossman started working as a food service assistant at ThedaCare nearly two years ago, he wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but he knows one thing: he enjoys every minute.
July 19, 2016
Wouldn’t it be grand if you could help ward off fatigue, irritability, headaches, and even “brain fog” or cognition problems with a relatively inexpensive elixir? There is a good chance that these symptoms arise out of a very basic and prevalent problem — dehydration.
After a long career in healthcare, Craig Kantos is used to change. Kantos, who has been CEO of ThedaCare Medical Center-Waupaca for more than 17 years, recently added the role of CEO of Wild Rose Community Memorial Hospital to his plate. The change, which also involved moving former Wild Rose CEO Dawn Shuman to director of nursing and patient care of both hospitals, will help ThedaCare gain system efficiencies while continuing to improve patient care, he said.
ThedaCare At Home Hospice is in need of more volunteers to provide end of life care for individuals where ever they call home. “We could not provide hospice care without the volunteers,” said Sarah Lederer, bereavement/ volunteer coordinator. “They are able to form a relationship with patients through their companionship that other members of the team cannot. They come with no agenda or medical equipment; just a smile, a listening ear, and a caring heart.”
July 15, 2016
During her free time, Dawn Shuman enjoys making mosaics. The hands-on activity helps the busy hospital executive relax and express her creativity.
Our exploration of future healthcare facilities has generated a lot of conversation. That’s just what we wanted! We participated in more than two dozen meetings in the last four months, and engaged more than 425 people. We reached out to many people, and others asked to join the conversation. We’ve met with regular folks at coffee chats and public forums in Kimberly and Neenah, business leaders at Rotary, Kiwanis and local chambers of commerce, economic leaders with the Fox Cities Regional Partnership and Future Neenah, our partners like Gold Cross Ambulance, and many others.
A free ThedaCare community program is designed to help people who suffer from knee pain. Brian Zirgibel, MD, orthopedic surgeon, with ThedaCare Orthopedic Care, will facilitate “Knee Pain/Osteoarthritis” on Tues., July 26. He will explore the latest surgical and non-surgical procedures that can help people ease their pain and get back to enjoying active lifestyles. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation.
July 13, 2016
ThedaCare hospitals are the first to use a new service of The Community Blood Center to deliver Pathogen Reduced Platelets.
ThedaCare is one of six organizations selected to participate in Transforming Complex Care (TCC), a multi-site program aimed at refining and spreading effective care that address the complex medical and social needs of high-need, high-cost patients.
For media inquiries, please 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.
