Connected, comprehensive care throughout the Froedtert ThedaCare health network
David Hahn, 75, a retired dairy farmer from Markesan, has experienced a lot of local and regional healthcare over the past 20 years since developing a blood disorder. When he recently needed emergency care, those past positive experiences with Froedtert ThedaCare hospitals and clinics made it easy for him and his family to decide where to go.
About two years ago, David developed abnormal blood cells, a condition of his blood disorder. His healthcare team became concerned he could develop leukemia and decided to treat his condition with chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant.
David had his stem cell transplant at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee. Before the procedure, He needed to complete chemotherapy. Though the treatments were difficult at times, they were successful.
Sameem Abedin, MD, hematologist and oncologist with the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin health network, oversaw David’s treatment.
“He’s a marvelous doctor,” David said. “He walked me through the whole thing, and I couldn’t be more pleased.”
New Primary Care Home
David was so impressed with his experience, he transferred his primary care to the Froedtert & MCW Fond du Lac East Johnson Clinic.
Then, on a Friday night in February 2026, David began experiencing severe pain in his lungs and difficulty breathing. By about midnight, he woke up his wife, Debbie, and told her he needed to go to the hospital.
After a little discussion and knowing that Froedtert Health and ThedaCare have become one organization, Froedtert ThedaCare, Debbie said she was taking David to ThedaCare Medical Center-Fond du Lac.
During that conversation, David said he wasn’t sure what to expect at the medical center and wondered if it would have the capabilities to treat him.
Soon, his doubts disappeared. From the moment the couple pulled into the parking lot at ThedaCare Medical Center-Fond du Lac, David received attentive, expert care.
“I had trouble getting out of the car,” he said. “They came out, wheeled me in, put me on a bed right away and tried to make me feel as comfortable possible.”
Exceptional Experience
Charles Washington, MD, emergency medicine physician with ThedaCare, was on duty that evening and oversaw David’s care. He quickly ordered a CT scan that revealed a blood clot in David’s right lung.
“He took excellent care of me and knew exactly what was going on,” David said.
Because of concerns about David’s heart, the team arranged for him to receive a higher level of care at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton, the hub for nationally recognized ThedaCare Cardiovascular Care.
“When I got to Appleton, they had everything set up,” David said. “I saw three doctors right away.”
Tests showed David’s heart wasn’t in danger. Teams in Appleton continued the blood thinner treatment Dr. Washington had started in Fond du Lac. David began to feel better quickly and went home the next day.
Desirée O’Donnell, RN, registered nurse and clinical manager at ThedaCare Medical Center-Fond du Lac, said David’s experience exemplifies the kind of care every patient can expect to receive.
“When people have to visit the emergency department at ThedaCare Fond du Lac, I would love for them to know that our goal is to get them seen as quickly as possible and provide the right care, at the right time, at the right place,” she said.
Connected Care
The care David received is the kind of seamless experience Froedtert ThedaCare strives to create for all people.
“It’s good for patients to have combined care with the East Johnson Clinic and the ThedaCare hospital here in town because it has extraordinary healthcare teams and resources,” said Will Huhndorf, APNP, a nurse practitioner at Froedtert & MCW Fond du Lac East Johnson Clinic. “We collaborate to help our patients get the best care.”
Kali Koenings, RN, clinical nurse at ThedaCare Medical Center-Fond du Lac, agreed.
“If you need primary care, we refer you [to the East Johnson Clinic],” she said. “If you need next-day follow-up care, we’ll call and make the appointment for you.”
Back to What’s Important
Today, David is feeling well and enjoying life with his family, which includes three adult children and six grandchildren.
“I can do everything I’ve always been able to do,” he said. “We went down to Panama City Beach for a week. We go to my grandchildren’s basketball games and I’m fairly active. I like to fish. I have a big garden, and I help my son-in-law with farming.”
David said he looks forward to continuing to receive primary care at the Froedtert & MCW Fond du Lac East Johnson Clinic. And he knows ThedaCare Medical Center-Fond du Lac is here for him, should the need ever arise again.
“I’m feeling great now, and if I have any issues again, that’s exactly where I will go,” he said.
