December 5, 2023

Passion for excellence. Compassion for people.

Every day, we show compassion for our patients, their loved ones, and one another. Below are a few recent examples from our intranet's Recognition Wall. To recognize a co-worker or view more staff recognitions, click here.

Susan Henke, Health Information Specialist, Aspirus Cancer Care-Wisconsin Rapids

Thank you for being the glue for our department! Thank you for all that you do getting records and helping make sure that our providers have what they need to provide the exceptional care our patients deserve! You are simply THE best!

Kim Zimmerman, Nuclear Medicine Technologist, Imaging, Aspirus Divine Savior

Kim ~ Thank you so much for your work in getting prepared for our nuclear medicine state survey. Your commitment to Aspirus and the safety of our patients is outstanding. We appreciate you being part of our work family. Kudos!!

Caryn Firkus, Registered Nurse, Med Surg, Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Caryn ~ Thank you so so much for your help getting so many people moved around and reorganized in order to get our ER patients upstairs. Your communication was calm, complete, closed-looped, and informative. It really seemed like you had everything under control, and we felt supported.

Megan Tetzlaff, Certified Medical Assistant, Aspirus Portage Clinic

Megan ~ Thank you for taking the time to check on a visitor exiting the building who seemed to need assistance. Your care for his well-being did not go unnoticed and was appreciated!

Hannah Perez, Registered Nurse, Med Surg, Aspirus Riverview Hospital

Thank you so much for all your help. You answered calls and met the needs of patients who weren't yours. You helped with vitals and changed patients who weren't yours. Thanks for all you do.

Kimberly Turner, Medical Receptionist Team Lead, Emergency, Aspirus Plover Hospital 

Kim ~ You always lead by example: You rocked it in the walk-in by keeping the pace running smoothly while seeing the highest volume this year so far! You demonstrate caring and partnership by following the Aspirus values. Thank you.

What Our Patients are Saying

Excerpts from recent NRC patient satisfaction surveys

Aspirus Stevens Point Clinic-Illinois Avenue Team

Ever since we switched clinics, many years ago, we have had nothing but good experiences, no matter what part of the clinic we use. The people are just wonderful. 

Cheryl Mabry, APNP, Aspirus Stevens Point Clinic-Hoover Road

This is the first time I talked with my care provider over the phone. It was amazing! The entire team worked to get me connected to my doctor quickly. It took less than 2 hours from when I first contacted my doctor to have an adjusted medication waiting for me at my pharmacist. This type of service is unheard of! Thank you!

Dr. Scott Dickman - Aspirus Doctors Clinic

Dr. Dickman was very professional and answered my questions completely. He helped with all my questions and explained everything in an easy and understanding manner. Office staff treated me with respect, made sure they answered my questions completely, and directed me every step of the way. I felt as if I was the only one in the office in the manner how everyone treated me. I would definitely return if the need arose. I am very happy with the way I was treated.

Kristie Melvin, APNP, Aspirus Adams Clinic

Had a very good experience. Got all my questions answered and on my way to getting better because of this lady. She is very good at what she does. Kristie Melvin will be my primary care provider, hopefully the rest of my life. Thank you all for helping me so much and so fast.

Dr. Kelly Coker, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Aspirus Portage Clinic

Dr. Coker was professional, kind, courteous, and took the time to answer all my questions. I was so happy I saw her! I am happy to see her if I need to come in again.

Dr. Jenna Kolodziej & Aspirus Riverview Hospital Operating Room Team

Doctor Kolodziej and the staff at Riverview were exceptional!!!! My experience was fabulous, and I was quite nervous going into it! Honestly was a great experience all around! Kudos to Riverview!!!!!

Meet Our New South Division Team Members

*Denotes Contract Staff

Danielle Richards

Therapy Aide

Therapy

Aspirus Divine Savior

Wellness Center

Devyn Schoonover*

Registered Nurse

Med Surg

Aspirus Divine Savior

Hospital

Eye Clinic to Lease Space at Aspirus Divine Savior

Aspirus Portage Clinic will soon welcome new neighbors. UW Health will lease space within the clinic for its ophthalmology and optometry services.

These new services are scheduled to begin in January. You may have already noticed some activity in the clinic area.

Please join us in welcoming the UW Health eye care team to our Aspirus Divine Savior campus!

Happy Retirement, Kathy Meincke

Congratulations and happy retirement to Kathy Meincke, Supervisor of House with Aspirus Divine Savior's Nursing Administration. Following more than 34 years of service, Kathy is retiring on December 12.

Everyone is invited to stop by for cake and punch at an open house in Kathy's honor on Tuesday, December 12, from 1:00-2:30 p.m. in Café A/B.

Please join us in thanking Kathy for her many years of dedicated service and in wishing her a long, healthy, happy retirement!

Invitation to Volunteer Pianists

Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital is seeking pianist volunteers to play this beautiful piano in our hospital's main lobby.

If someone you know would enjoy this opportunity, please ask them to contact Linda Krueger for more information at [email protected]. 

Photo: Joseph Coglin, volunteer pianist, played a serenade during the recent Aspirus Divine Savior Sunflower Award ceremony.

Beth Torborg Honored for Good Catch

Beth Torborg, Medical Laboratory Scientist, and most recent winner of our Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital's Good Catch Award.

Beth was completing a urinalysis and noted that there were abnormal looking cells. Beth talked to the pathologist to get a cytology order. The cytology was completed, and the patient was found to have cancer.

The Good Catch Award is based upon a commitment to High Reliability Principles for Safety to bring awareness to situations when an employee's or physician's actions prevented harm to those we care for.

Meet Our New Southeast Division Team Member

Amanda Raykowski

Central Monitor Technician

Monitor Room

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Patient Letter Shares Appreciation

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital recently received a note, sharing these kind words of appreciation from a recent patient.

Dear Aspirus President Smith,

I was recently an ICU patient for eight days at Aspirus. I received a pacemaker and was discharged the following day. My purpose in writing is to express my gratitude for the wonderful care afforded me during this stressful time in your hospital. 

I would like to recognize the following, who provided me with comfort, support, and the finest of care: Drs. Johnson, Jensen, Homida and Rist. RNs Ben, Heidi, Brad, Felicia, Caitlin and Maddie. CNAs Carol, Taylor, Olivia and Elaine.

My past medical care has been at the Mayo Clinic for 49 years. Your staff provided me with equal care to what I’ve received at Mayo. You can be ever so proud of your staff. 

Southwest Division News

Lights of Love are Shining

The Aspirus Riverview Lights of Love are now shining for the 22nd consecutive year, and they will continue to glow through the holiday season.

Located between Aspirus Riverview Hospital and Riverview Expressway, the 2023 Lights of Love trees were lit during an outdoor ceremony on November 28.

In case you missed it, we invite you to listen to WFHR/WIRI's live radio broadcast of the tree-lighting ceremony and the pre-ceremony interviews by clicking here.

Aspirus Riverview Foundation extends its sincere gratitude to our community business supporters: Solarus, WFHR 1320 AM/WIRI 97.5 FM, and Ritchay & Feldner/Ritchay Funeral Homes. Thank you as well to our Lights of Love volunteers, the Wisconsin Rapids Area Middle School 6th grade students who wrote essays and their teachers, the Wisconsin Rapids Grove Elementary School 3rd-5th grade choir and their directors, Pastor Milt Van Natta, and Amber Holmes and Brian Kief from Aspirus Riverview Hospital. To view the 2023 Lights of Love donor list, click here.

Aspirus Welcomes Shelby Ligman, APNP

Aspirus Riverview Clinic-Wisconsin Rapids welcomes Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner Shelby Ligman, APNP. Shelby takes a special interest in treating chronic conditions, caring for children of all ages, and women’s health.

Shelby earned her master’s degree from Marian University in Fond du Lac. She is certified in family practice by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board. In her free time, Shelby enjoys traveling, reading, hosting game nights, kayaking, playing pickleball, and exploring national parks.

Pick a Card to Brighten Someone's Holiday

Happy Retirement, Karen Falk

Congratulations and happy retirement to Karen Falk, Medical Laboratory Scientist with Aspirus Riverview Hospital's Laboratory. Following 40 years of service, Karen is retiring on December 15.

Please join us in thanking Karen for her many years of dedicated service and in wishing her a long, healthy, happy retirement!

Get Your Holiday Goodies! Bake Sale is December 6

Bob Smith

President, Southeast WI Division

Brian Kief

President, South & Southwest WI Divisions