ThedaCare is marking two major milestones in the $100M investment to modernize ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah this month.
Specialized teams are now caring for patients in the modern Cardiac Catherization Laboratory (cath lab) and Special Procedure Suite that is integrated into the Surgery Department. In addition to the cath lab and special procedure suite, the Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy space is also open for care.
The Inspired Past; Healthier Future Modernization, which was announced in October 2021, is transforming health care for all those living in the region, and allowing ThedaCare to continue its commitment to keeping care local in the Fox Cities.
“The Modernization supports ThedaCare’s mission to improve health and well-being of the communities served, allowing our system to enhance and expand services,” said Lynn Detterman, Senior Vice President of ThedaCare South Region. “The project advancements are welcomed additions to the campus that currently provides critical care services to Northeast and Central Wisconsin, such as the region’s only accredited Level II Trauma Center and Comprehensive Stroke Center.”
Providing Complete Stroke and Cardiovascular Care
A cath and specials lab is an area with diagnostic imaging equipment and technology that can be used to care for cardiovascular and stroke conditions. This is a specialized area where teams can provide minimally invasive tests and advanced cardiac procedures to diagnose and treat cardiovascular disease. Teams also provide pacemaker and defibrillator implants, pulmonary embolism treatment and other interventional radiology procedures. Equipment and technology allow teams to diagnose, treat blockages and address other concerns.
The cath and specials lab also provides a space for teams to treat the most complex stroke care for patients and other neurovascular conditions, including brain aneurysms. Since 2019, ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah has been accredited as a Comprehensive Stroke Center by DNV, which provides accreditation programs to address regulatory requirements for hospitals, and provide guidance and best practices. In addition to Neenah’s Comprehensive Stroke Center, ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton has also been accredited as a Primary Stroke Center. ThedaCare Critical Access hospitals, including ThedaCare Medical Center-Berlin, ThedaCare Medical Center-New London, ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano, ThedaCare Medical Center-Waupaca and ThedaCare Medical Center-Wild Rose, have all earned Acute Stroke Ready accreditations also from DNV. ThedaCare has partnerships with first responders and rural hospitals, and a 24-hour acute care to provide the best care.
The new cath and specials lab space allows teams to provide emergency stroke care, such as surgical thrombectomies, clot removal, coil procedures, as well as other neurological treatments. As part of the $100M Modernization, the cath and specials lab features new, upgraded equipment to help teams provide the best care for patients, close to home.
“We are pleased the Cardiac Catherization Laboratory and Special Procedure Suite were included in the Modernization plans,” said Dr. Todd Peebles, Neurointerventional Radiologist and Co-Medical Director of the ThedaCare Stroke Center. “Because of the time-critical nature of stroke events, hospital systems must have the best teams and resources available, and also the ability to act with efficiency. We feel the updated space enhances the team’s ability to provide that for patients.”
One of the pieces of equipment that has been updated in the cath and specials lab is biplane imaging. This tool is one of the most advanced interventional medical imaging technologies available. It uses fluoroscopes or a “live x-ray” to produce highly detailed images of blood vessels, soft tissue and blood flow in real-time. It can also be used to help identify precise locations of a condition a patient might be experiencing, such as a blockage or aneurysm.
“One of our expectations for this Modernization is to create a facility that will provide the best experience for patients and their families and offer a more efficient work area for our health care teams,” said Detterman. “The care teams have one goal – to provide the best care for our patients. We have designed the updated areas to support the goal, and continue to provide comprehensive care for our communities.”
Updated Space for Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy
The next milestone in the Modernization project includes updates to the Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy space. Care teams began seeing patients in the updated space on June 19, 2023. The therapy area moved from the first floor of the hospital to the third floor of the medical office building.
ThedaCare’s therapy experts provide care for a wide range of conditions, including:
- Balance and dizziness
- Brain injuries
- Cancer care
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Muscle, bone and joint pain
- Neurological conditions
- Physical injuries and illnesses
- Speech, voice and swallowing
- Sports injuries
- Work injuries
Updates to the therapy space include:
- Expanded care space in a bright, comfortable, encouraging environment
- Additional private treatment rooms
- Implementation of a walking harness with opportunities for patients to work on gait and balance
- Updated driving simulator which allows teams to evaluate if a person can return to driving. The simulator also provides an opportunity for patients to practice their driving skills before they are cleared.
“We are pleased to offer these updated areas for patients and families in our community,” said
Melissa Schaefer, Manager of the ThedaCare Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Program. “The investment to these spaces will allow teams to meet the growing demand for convenient, specialized services and provide more comprehensive and coordinated care.”
Much of the therapy care provided at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah focuses on neurological conditions and rehabilitation, explained Shaefer.
“Providing patients with comprehensive care can help aid in a person’s recovery,” said Schaefer. “For example, if someone experiences a stroke and then needs physical, occupational and speech therapy services, they can manage that seamlessly throughout our system.”
Team members helped design the space, and selected updated equipment. Shaefer said the new technology allows skilled teams to provide advanced treatment for patients.
“We’re proud to be able to provide additional care for more people,” said Schaefer. “Our goal is that the updated space will provide a healing area for treatment that empowers them and supports their recovery process. It all really ties back to ThedaCare’s mission of helping each person live their unique, best life. Through our comprehensive therapy program, we are helping patients get back to doing what they love.”
Construction Continues
The next areas of focus for the Modernization include the following:
- Relocate the ThedaStar Air Medical Program Helipad adjacent to the ED entrance, allowing patients to be rapidly transferred for Trauma Services once they arrive.
- Create spacious, modern Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy suite to help patients improve ability to move and perform daily activities.
- Develop a new Women’s Center, which includes mammography, diagnostics and imaging, and bone density testing. The space will be a comfortable area where women can feel confident in their personalized, proactive health care decisions.
- Improve and expand access for Behavioral Health services by redesigning the inpatient space.
- 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.
Generous Community Support
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.
Specialized teams are now caring for patients in the modern Cardiac Catherization Laboratory (cath lab) and Special Procedure Suite that is integrated into the Surgery Department at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah.
The updated Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy space is now open for care at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah. Care teams began seeing patients in the updated space on June 19, 2023. Team members helped design the space, and selected updated equipment. The new technology allows skilled teams to provide advanced treatment for patients.
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.
