Grateful patients and visionary benefactors

Having spent most of their lives working directly or indirectly in the healthcare industry, Herb and Barbara Heili have always recognized Gundersen Health System as something special.

Herb first learned about Gundersen through his career in the pharmaceutical industry and, later, spent 5 years in a leadership role within the organization. Then, when Herb suffered a life-threatening medical emergency in 2000, he and Barbara experienced Gundersen’s brand of high-quality, compassionate care firsthand, and their appreciation for the organization deepened.

“The care patients receive at Gundersen is outstanding,” shares Herb, “and that is due in large part to the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to medical education and research.”

This unique combination of personal and professional experiences inspired Herb and Barbara to give generously to Gundersen Medical Foundation for the past 28 years. Although they have made various types of gifts, the couple is passionate about medical education, especially nursing education. 

The road to La Crosse 

Herb and Barbara Heili grew up in northeast Wisconsin. After high school, Herb earned a degree in biology from St. Norbert College, and Barbara earned a nursing diploma from St. Agnes School of Nursing. The couple married in 1960 and started their family, which quickly grew to include 3 children. 

At that time, Herb was serving as an officer in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps, so the family was stationed in Fort Lewis, Washington. When his service concluded, Herb began a successful 35-year career in the pharmaceutical industry, working with several Fortune 500 companies. His jobs took the family to Washington, Minnesota, Kansas, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Illinois and, finally, back to Wisconsin.

Wherever the family landed, Barbara was able to continue her 37-year career as a registered nurse. She is proud to have been licensed to work in 7 states, an experience that gives her a unique perspective. “Not everyone realizes how special it is to have access to the quality of care we receive at Gundersen,” she explains. “Without a point of comparison, it’s easy to take that care for granted.”

Herb’s career included 23 years at Lederle Laboratories, where he served in a variety of roles, including as director of sales training and management development. He also spent 12 years at G.D. Searle Pharmaceutical Corporation, retiring from his role as the executive director for the Americas in 1997. Though his intention was to ease into retirement by opening his own consulting firm, an unexpected invitation took him in a new direction. 

With his industry expertise, Herb had previously served as chair of the National Advisory Council for Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation for several years. He remembers being impressed with both the organization and its leadership. So, when Dr. Mark V. Connelly and Dr. Philip J. Dahlberg invited Herb to assist with the merger between the hospital and clinic, he accepted, serving Gundersen as executive vice president of administration from 1998 to 2002.

Looking back, Herb is proud he was able to use his experience managing teams to lead Gundersen through that transitional time. “Having gone through mergers in the past, I knew that a focus on shared values and a clear vision for the future would help bring people together,” he says.

Experiencing compassionate care at Gundersen 

During this time, Herb and Barbara’s life took another unexpected turn. In September of 2000, Herb suffered a cardiac arrest during the first few minutes of a board meeting on Gundersen’s main campus. The quick action of nearby medical staff saved his life; however, the scope of the cardiovascular issues meant that Herb would need several surgeries and, ultimately, a heart transplant.

While he waited for a heart to become available, Herb spent nearly 3 months in the Coronary Care Unit at Gundersen. Then, following a heart transplant that took place on January 1, 2002, at the University of Wisconsin–Madison Medical Center, Herb returned to Gundersen for many months of follow-up care and therapy.

“At every juncture, the care we received was outstanding—and the care was outstanding because the people were outstanding,” remarks Herb, who believes that investments in medical education give medical professionals the training and tools that allow them to go “above and beyond.”

In 2016, Herb experienced kidney failure because of the anti-rejection medications required after his heart transplant. The extent of the damage meant Herb would have to undergo a kidney transplant—and more follow-up care. In addition to the medical teams at University of Wisconsin–Madison and at Gundersen, Barbara and Herb are forever grateful to their daughter, Cathy, who gave her father the gift of life by donating one of her kidneys.

A chance to give back to Gundersen Medical Foundation

Since Herb retired from Gundersen in 2002, he and Barbara have enjoyed spending time with their 3 children, 7 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild while also remaining active in the community. Several family members have also found careers at Gundersen.

In 2003, Herb was selected to be 1 of 2 transplant patients in the nation to serve on the cardiothoracic committee of the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS), a nonprofit organization that governs the transplant system in the United States. He also spent several years at Viterbo University coordinating support from grateful benefactors for a new nursing center. In recognition of his impact, Herb received the Saint XXIII John award in 2009.

For nearly 3 decades, Herb and Barbara have also remained passionate supporters of Gundersen Medical Foundation. In October, the couple was recognized with the 2023 Founders Award as part of the Gratefully, Gundersen event. The Founders Award was created in 2004 to recognize outstanding medical and philanthropic contributions to Gundersen Health System.

“We are proud to invest in the Foundation and hope that our story inspires others,” says Barbara. “Every gift to the Foundation makes a remarkable impact.”

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Like the Heili's, there’s a way for you to make a difference by supporting Gundersen Medical Foundation, whatever your personal reasons or interests may be. Your generosity changes lives. And, there's no better gift than that.

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