ThedaCare is pleased to announce the completion of the next phase of the $100M investment to modernize ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah.
This phase includes the improvement and expanded access for Behavioral Health services by redesigning the inpatient space. It also features the development of the new Women’s Center, which includes mammography, diagnostics and imaging, and bone density testing.
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.
“Each phase of the coordinated Modernization project reflects and supports ThedaCare’s mission to improve health and well-being of the communities served,” said Lynn Detterman, Senior Vice President of ThedaCare South Region. “As we are more than half-way through the project, we see the finish line in sight. As the plans take shape, it is incredible to see how these enhancements are advancing coordinated care throughout our communities.”
Updates to Inpatient Behavioral Health
The Modernization plan includes four phases of work to the Inpatient Behavioral Health space at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah. The first two phases are complete, with phase three currently in progress. The design focuses on providing more coordinated and private care opportunities that enhance each person’s experience.
The inpatient area provides structured, carefully supervised care. It also offers intensive care services for those who need it most, with a focus on stabilizing symptoms, providing therapeutic and educational services, and planning for integration back into the community. The inpatient care program involves a short-term stay at the hospital, where a person will be cared for in a calm, safe and stable environment. There are also group therapy sessions and activities.
On average, patients stay 4-5 days on the inpatient unit. Teams have the capacity to care for 10 people at this time. By project completion, the capacity will increase to allow teams to care for 19 people.
“When people make the decision to get help, it is a very brave step,” explained Ronda Vetter, Manager of the ThedaCare Inpatient Behavioral Health Program. “Our teams want to ensure each person feels safe and empowered as they begin their journey to healing.”
In phase one, enhancements included remodeling patient rooms, adding a group meeting space, creating a communal area and improving the care team space. Patients will also now have a more private way to get to the inpatient unit.
“The thoughtful design of the route our patients will take to access our services, and begin the admissions process, was incredibly important,” said Vetter. “We want to continue to provide dignity and privacy throughout the process.”
There is also a newly developed admissions room. In this space, providers can walk patients through the admissions process in a private area.
“The intention planning aims to start each person out with a positive experience for their behavioral health needs,” said Vetter. “Our goal is to help them feel safer and enhance their experience through the Modernization updates.”
In phase three, patient rooms continue to be remodeled. The intent is that every patient will have the opportunity to be in a private room. Phase three is on track to be complete this fall.
Through the end of the update, which includes phase four, rooms will continue to be remodeled. There will also be an additional sitting area where people can safely gather. Phase four is set to be complete by the beginning of 2024. At that time, capacity on the Inpatient Behavioral Health unit will increase to 19 people.
“Investing in the inpatient care space shows ThedaCare’s commitment to continuing to provide and enhance behavioral health care in our communities,” said Julie Meyer, Director of ThedaCare Behavioral Health. “We understand it is a critical need. Our teams have always provided great care, and now, we have the opportunity to make the care even better. Enhancements such as private rooms, direct line of sight for team members, a relaxation room, an exercise room – all of these things tie back to ThedaCare’s dedication to empower people to live their best, unique lives.”
If you, or someone you know, needs behavioral health services, please call 920.729.2145.
Creating a Calming and Comprehensive Women’s Center
The newly created Women’s Center was designed to be a comfortable space where women can feel confident in their personalized, proactive health care decisions. Teams began seeing patients in the new space on July 20, 2023. Services include screening and diagnostic Mammography, Ultrasound Imaging, and Bone Density (DEXA) testing, all in one location.
“Many women like to schedule their mammogram and bone density testing at one time,” explained Don Van Krey, Manager of Diagnostic Imaging at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center–Neenah. “In the past, women might have needed to go to multiple locations for these services, and at times, delayed the important screenings. We were purposeful in planning the Women’s Center. It is now convenient for them to have the opportunity complete screenings and tests at one location, at the same time.”
Also included in the new space, three mammography pods. All of the necessary equipment to complete a mammogram is in one space – technology, supplies and an individual changing area.
“Before the design of the mammography pods, women would need to go from one room to another,” explained Van Krey. “Again, we wanted to make them feel comfortable, provide additional privacy, and enhance their experience.”
In addition to the updated care space, the overall environment has been thoughtfully designed to provide women with a spa-like experience. The private waiting areas offers a calm environment with natural lighting, comfortable furniture and a refreshment station with snacks and coffee.
“We understand that many of these recommended screenings and tests are not always an enjoyable time for women,” said Van Krey. “Often, women might feel anxious or nervous. Our teams want to do everything we can to put women at ease, and help them through process.”
The Women’s Center also features a brick wall from Theda Clark Memorial Hospital that was added to the original building in 1948. It is one way to highlight and honor the history of Theda Clark, and her dedication to supporting a hospital that has served the community for more than a century.
Generous Community Support
In addition to the spa-like atmosphere of the Women’s Center, special touches have been added to enhance the environment.
The “Ladies of Lambeau” donated a beautiful piece of artwork to the Women’s Center. The “Ladies of Lambeau”, are a group of people that includes Packers’ employees, board members, and their wives/partners, as well as wives/partners of players and coaches, who gather to put their efforts toward charity and giving back to the community.
The “Ladies of Lambeau” partner with “Foundation for Hospital Art,” an organization whose mission is to give comfort and hope to those in hospitals.
Before the first patients were welcomed into the space, the artwork was placed in the Women’s Center.
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.
“ThedaCare is extremely grateful for the engagement from our community members,” said Detterman. “As ThedaCare is on a continued path to reinvent health care by becoming a proactive partner in health – enriching the lives of all – we appreciate the support from partners. These special connections help our teams continue to meet the needs of the communities we serve, keeping our patients and families safe and healthy, now and in the future.
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.
- Update the Family Birth Center, allowing families to welcome little ones into the world in a modern, comfortable and soothing environment.
The full modernization is expected to be complete in early 2024.
The newly created Women’s Center at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah was designed to be a comfortable space where women can feel confident in their personalized, proactive health care decisions. Teams began seeing patients in the new space on July 20, 2023. Services include mammography, diagnostics and imaging, and bone density testing, all in one location.
The “Ladies of Lambeau” donated a beautiful piece of artwork to the Women’s Center at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah. The “Ladies of Lambeau”, are a group of people that includes Packers’ employees, board members, and their wives/partners, as well as wives/partners of players and coaches, who gather to put their efforts toward charity and giving back to the community.
This phase of the Inspired Past; Healthier Future Modernization includes the improvement and expanded access for Behavioral Health services by redesigning the inpatient space at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah. The first two phases are complete, with phase three currently in progress. The design focused on providing more coordinated and private care opportunities that enhance each person’s experience.
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.
