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Our region is in its greatest fight against coronavirus. We are seeing increased infections, hospitalizations and deaths in our communities. Our staff are strained. Our testing sites have longer lines and higher positivity rates.

We were able to flatten the curve and avoid tragedy last spring and summer with your help. By masking, distancing, and hand washing, we protected each other, limited the spread of the virus, and saved lives.

For a variety of reasons, we lost ground. To keep our friends and families healthy and ease the strain on our hospitals, we must rededicate ourselves to following established, proven safety measures. We have done it before. We can do it again.

While it is encouraging to see many of our neighbors and businesses adhering to the safety guidelines, it is greatly disappointing to see those who are not.

Local health systems remain open and safe for care of all types, but the rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations threaten our ability to care for you.

If everyone DOES NOT avoid large gatherings in the community, wear a mask, keep distance from others, wash hands, and stay home when ill, we risk:

  • Postponing or cancelling surgeries, procedures and appointments
  • Running out of beds to care for people who need immediate Hospital care
  • Not having enough staff to provide care to patients, COVID and non-COVID
  • Preventable deaths in our communities

This has been a long and hard several months. We know the end is not yet in sight. We know you are tired and want to resume a normal life. We are tired, too.

Now is not the time to let our guard down and suffer the fate of so many other communities across the state and nation. We have shown that we care enough about each other to work together to defeat this pandemic.

Your actions make a difference. Together, we will succeed.

Scott Rathgaber, MD
Chief Executive Officer
Gundersen Health System

Paul Mueller, MD
Regional Vice President
Mayo Clinic Health System

News

Grateful patient

Badge of Honor: Toddler battling cancer becomes part of Gundersen care team

December 05, 2023

Every time child life specialist Rachael Kaiser looks down at her tennis shoes, she’s reminded she can do hard things. That phrase is engraved on a small metal plate that’s
Who we are

Borge, Holness ready to serve as Gundersen Medical Vice Presidents

November 29, 2023

Robyn Borge, MD, is the new Medical Vice President for Cross-Functional Care, and Robert Holness, MD, is the new Medical Vice President for Community Care.
Grateful patient

Sports medicine gets W-K volleyball player back on the court

November 14, 2023

Little did Emma Johnson know that by day’s end, she’d be taken to the Gundersen St. Elizabeth’s Hospital emergency room, and her promising junior season on the volleyball team would
News

Mobile medicine program honored by Wisconsin Hospital Association

November 08, 2023

The mobile medicine program, a collaborative endeavor between Gundersen Health System and St. Clare Health Mission, is receiving statewide recognition.

1900 South Ave.
La Crosse, WI 54601

(608) 782-7300

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