Marshfield Clinic celebrating 100-year anniversary

In celebration of Marshfield Clinic’s 100-year anniversary, the newly formed Marshfield Clinic Health System Foundation is hosting events this week in the central Wisconsin city.

“This is a celebration of our past, present and future,” said Dr. Susan L. Turney, CEO of Marshfield Clinic Health System.

The celebration coincides with the formation of the new foundation, which became active on Oct. 1. It will handle fundraising efforts, keeping them in-line with the strategic goals of the Marshfield Clinic Health System, which was formed in 2012.

According to Marshfield Clinic Health System Foundation spokesperson Maree Stewart, the success of Marshfield Clinic wouldn’t be possible without the core principles of the organization.

The clinic was created with three fundamental pillars: patient care, research and education. Through these foundational pursuits, Stewart said, they move forward with their mission of “enriching lives.”

According to Turney, this mission has been the biggest contributor to the success of Marshfield Clinic in the past century, adding that in the next 100 years, the organization will “continue to live the mission of our forefathers.”

Equally important to the organization, and to the foundation in particular, is the generosity of donors, said Stewart.

“Philanthropy is at the heart of Marshfield Clinic, and it has been for many years,” said Stewart.

In the past century, more than 37,000 donors have supported Marshfield Clinic with almost $100 million. The Marshfield Health System Foundation board, headed by Dr. William Hocking, will undertake new fundraising initiatives in the Marshfield community and statewide.

The foundation’s efforts to engage the community with events will continue, according to Stewart, because the integrated system connects many people in many different ways.

“With this new health system model, we can pursue new strategic initiatives to help families in the community,” said Stewart.

This effort, though, is not without issues, according to Turney.

“The economics of our area is a challenge,” said Turney. “We have some of the poorest people in the country, but we provide world-class health care.”

She said the delivery of health care is changing, as “outreach through technology” allows providers to find low-cost solutions to medical issues, providing in-home care and better communication.

“We take care of people, families and communities,” she said.

While the demands of providing personalized care are increasing, Turney sees “a very bright future” for the Marshfield Clinic Health System.

“Technology is wonderful, and we have to figure out where it has the most value,” said Turney. “But it’s much more than that. It’s about delivering care where it best serves the patient.”

–By Alex Moe,
WisBusiness.com