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Six new members join Foundation Board

Please join the Gundersen Medical Foundation in welcoming these new board members. Dustin Cunningham Dustin Cunningham holds a bachelor of science in finance and is a certified financial planner for Trust Point. He has worked in estate planning and investment management. "I find it very rewarding helping clients develop a customized financial plan that represents their values, goals ...

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New ocular disease residency program

Gundersen's Vision Services department, including optometry and ophthalmology, has been rapidly expanding because of increased patient demand and as a result, there is an amplified need for highly-skilled, compassionate eye care providers. The new Optometry Residency Program was created to do just that. Kristen Reirson, OD Kristen Reierson, OD, is the first optometrist in the new res ...

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Viterbo president joins Gundersen Board of Trustees

Service to others and the community guides Glena Temple, PhD, president of Viterbo University, the newest member of the Gundersen Health System Board of Trustees. "One of my favorite ways to spend a Saturday morning is weeding at the organic garden run by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration or cleaning facilities at a local non-profit," Temple says. "La Crosse is inspiration ...

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Gundersen prioritizes ACES as part of collaborative community effort

As part of a collaborative community effort to build a resilient and trauma-informed community, Gundersen Health System has identified adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma-informed care (TIC) a system-wide strategic priority in 2019 and beyond.What are ACEs?An adverse childhood experience (ACE) is an event or set of circumstances experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful – such as living with a parent struggling ...

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Introducing the new program director of the General Surgery Residency Program

Gundersen Medical Foundation is excited to introduce Mel Johnson, MD, FACS, program director of the General Surgery Residency Program. ...

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A profile of Gundersen’s Bioethics Department

Some factors that allow Gundersen Health System to deliver on its promise of Love + Medicine are so seamlessly integrated into the organization’s makeup that it is easy to overlook the impact. ...

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Critical access hospitals earn American Heart Association awards

Several Gundersen Health System critical access hospitals have been recognized nationally for their continued success in improving patient outcomes across cardiovascular and stroke focus areas. ...

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Partnering for pediatric patients

Enriching every life is why we are here. It is our purpose and priority. It is also why the Pediatrics Unit and Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, a program of Gundersen Medical Foundation, invested the time and resources to send eight registered Gundersen nurses to UW Health American Family Children's Hospital in Madison. Gundersen Pediatric and PNICU registered nurses (from left) ...

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Help was there when she needed it

Stephanie Thomas, who works in Gunderson's Revenue Cycle-Commercial Insurance Billing and Follow-up, applied for a grant through the Employees Helping Employees Emergency Fund in mid-2018 when her mother passed away unexpectedly. "Thanks to the generosity of Gundersen employees, I was able to give my mother the burial service she deserved. It was a very emotional time and with this h ...

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Resolve Through Sharing leaders awarded 'Book of the Year'

The American Journal of Nursing (AJN) recently announced its 2018 Book of the Year awards. Determined by AJN’s panel of judges, these awards are given to texts the organization deems most valuable in a variety of categories. "Guided Participation in Pediatric Nursing Practice: Relationship-Based Teaching and Learning with Parents, Children, and Adolescents" was awarded first place in ...

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Darla Krzoska, JD: A shared focus on community

As an attorney for Bosshard Parke Law, Darla Krzoska engages in meaningful work that she enjoys. ...

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Gundersen selects new CFO

After more than 35 years in healthcare, including 20 years as a chief financial officer (CFO), Jerry Oetzel, MBA, says his most important work has been building relationships and helping coworkers reach their potential. The Philadelphia native brings this love of people and mentoring to Gundersen Health System in early March as the new CFO. "I love teaching; that is central to my role as CFO. I truly love this part of my work," Oetzel s ...

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'Humbled' Gundersen leader named Nurse Executive of the Year

Gundersen's Beth Smith-Houskamp, PhD, RN, had her eyes on being a doctor before pursuing a career spanning 30 years as a nurse and nurse leader. "I was going to medical school, but life had other plans. So, I pursued a career in nursing, which has inspired and challenged me in ways I never imagined," Smith-Houskamp said. "I feel so blessed and honored to help create an environment in partnership with other leaders that supports nurses walking ...

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Gundersen, Marshfield Clinic discuss possible merger

Gundersen Health System and Marshfield Clinic Health System are discussing how the two organizations might come together to collectively enhance the level of care across Wisconsin, northeast Iowa and southeastern Minnesota. The two organizations will spend the coming months working out details of a possible merger that could create a health system led by more than 2,000 clinicians and with more than 19,000 total employees, all committed to l ...

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Raising awareness of cancer, getting involved after treatment

While some people prefer to put their experiences with cancer behind them after they finish treatment, many choose to draw on what they've been through to get involved with cancer-related activities. They may feel that there are certain areas or issues where there's more work to be done. Or perhaps someone helped and inspired them during treatment and they feel it's their turn to give to others.Whether it's learning how to help their neighbors, j ...

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An exercise physio-what?

The dictionary defines physiology as dealing with the functions and activities of life. It's an apt description of Gundersen exercise physiologists who play an integral role in helping patients maximize "the functions and activities of life" after a serious illness like a heart attack.Gundersen's certified exercise physiologists are healthcare professionals who are highly educated, experienced and certified to care for patients with heart and lun ...