Redefining Rural Healthcare

In this episode of Redefining Rural Health Care, host Ryma Lindquist interviews Kristie Smith of St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity.  They discuss the region’s rising housing costs, Habitat’s 30-year impact, and how stable housing supports health. Kristie also shares application details, eligibility requirements, and upcoming volunteer and repair program opportunities.

In this special episode, CEO Eilidh Pederson speaks with nephrologist Dr. Nilin Raj about bringing inpatient dialysis to WWH—keeping critical kidney care close to home. They discuss nephrology basics, the need to reduce patient transfers, and how portable dialysis technology is expanding access. The episode also covers future plans for outpatient dialysis, referral pathways, and the importance of prevention through primary care.

Western Wisconsin Health introduces season three of the Redefining Rural Healthcare podcast, focused on community partnerships. Host Ryma Lindquist speaks with Lisa Johnson-Bleskey, director of the Cancer Center of Western Wisconsin, a six-hospital collaboration bringing radiation and oncology services closer to home. The partnership offers chemotherapy, infusions, genetic counseling, clinical trials, and coordinated care, helping reduce travel time for patients. They also highlight integrative health services, patient support through Relay for Life, and Johnson-Bleskey's personal connection to cancer care.

Western Wisconsin Health launches season 3 of its Redefining Rural Healthcare podcast, hosted by Community Relations Director Ryma Lindquist. In this episode, Ryma talks with family nurse practitioner Brittany Pace from the Roberts Clinic about her role in primary care and dermatology-focused services, including treating common skin concerns, when referrals are needed, and tips for skin health and cancer prevention.

In this episode of Western Wisconsin Health's Redefining Rural Healthcare podcast, hosted by Dr. Katie Findlay, covers the importance of vaccinations from a rural healthcare perspective. Healthcare professionals, including Dr. Russell Roloff, Dr. Nate Schwartz, Dr. Debra Diepenbrock, and pediatric nurse practitioner Sara Atteberry, discuss various aspects of vaccinations such as starting vaccination at two months, the effect of herd immunity, safety concerns including aluminum and autism myths, and the broader impact of keeping community members safe through vaccines. The episode underscores the importance of vaccines in preventing serious illnesses and long-term health complications.

In this episode of Western Wisconsin Health’s 'Redefining Rural Healthcare' podcast, culinary services manager Garrett Pokela speaks with registered dietician Cheri Rott about her role at the organization and shares tips for healthy eating during the holidays. Cherri discusses the importance of hydration, balanced meals, reducing stress, and how to manage holiday indulgences. She also elaborates on the Lifestyle Simple Health Medicine program, which educates patients on nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management, and other key health pillars. Additionally, they cover the benefits of various protein sources, the significance of fiber, and strategies for making healthier choices while eating out or dealing with holiday leftovers.

Season two of Western Wisconsin Health’s Redefining Rural Healthcare podcast opens by spotlighting the high-quality, community-based care available in rural areas. In recognition of National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, guests Christa Walz from Adoray Home Health & Hospice and Andrea Burns, Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, discuss their roles and the key differences between hospice and palliative care. They highlight the personalized, holistic support these services provide and how the partnership between Western Wisconsin Health and Adoray ensures seamless, compassionate care close to home. The episode emphasizes the value of early engagement and the flexibility that nonprofit, community-based care brings to rural patients and families.

In this episode of Western Wisconsin Health’s Redefining Rural Healthcare podcast, Emily Koehler talks with new oncologist Dr. Yang Liu about her background, passion for cancer care, and patient-centered approach. Dr. Liu shares how early experiences shaped her interest in oncology, highlights the value of personalized treatment, and emphasizes strong patient relationships. She discusses WWH’s proactive healthcare model and dispels misconceptions about rural cancer care, noting that patients can access the same high-quality treatment locally as in larger cities. Dr. Liu also reflects on exciting advancements in personalized oncology and the importance of guiding patients through their care journey.

In this episode of Western Wisconsin Health's Redefining Rural Healthcare podcast, host Tam Kammerud introduces nurse practitioner Alicia Sund, who practices at the Spring Valley and Baldwin clinics. Alicia shares her journey from considering pharmacy school to finding her calling in nursing and eventually becoming a nurse practitioner. She discusses the unique challenges and rewards of working in a rural healthcare setting, highlights her passion for personalized patient care, and reflects on her upbringing in a small community. Alicia also shares personal anecdotes, offers advice to aspiring healthcare professionals, and talks about her interests outside of medicine.

In this episode, Director of Community Relations, Ryma Lindquist interviews certified nurse midwife Sarah Tyler-Peterson, who shares her journey to midwifery, the broad scope of midwife care, and her work at the Spring Valley clinic. Sarah highlights the importance of accessible women’s healthcare, the collaborative spirit at WWH, and the rewarding community connections formed through her role.

In this episode of Redefining Rural Healthcare, guest host Natasha Ward talks with psychiatric nurse practitioner Jana Gegen about her path from corporate work to holistic mental health care. Jana shares her experience treating patients with dementia, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, the challenges of rural healthcare, and the importance of self-care to prevent burnout.

In this episode of Western Wisconsin Health's Redefining Rural Healthcare podcast, Ellen Thompson, COO, introduces the second season and the Spring Valley Clinic series. Ellen interviews Karissa Hanson, a family nurse practitioner at the clinic, who shares her journey into nursing and her passion for rural healthcare. They discuss typical health issues seen in the community, such as diabetes and addiction, and the clinic's commitment to providing top-notch, personalized care. Throughout the conversation, Karissa emphasizes the importance of building trust with patients and the role of community support in enhancing rural healthcare. The episode concludes with a hopeful outlook on the clinic's future and its impact on transforming the community from a medical desert to a thriving hub of healthcare services.

In this episode of the Redefining Rural Healthcare podcast, Shonda Helgeson, Chief Nursing Officer at Western Wisconsin Health, introduces Alicia Myers, the Inpatient Services Manager. Alicia discusses her role and the services provided by the Transitional Care Unit (TCU) at Western Wisconsin Health. The TCU, also known as the swing bed program, offers care for patients who are not acutely ill but need additional support before returning home. Myers highlights the personalized care, state-of-the-art equipment, and comprehensive rehabilitation services available. The episode aims to raise awareness about the TCU as a viable option for patients in need of extended care after an acute hospital stay.

In this episode of Western Wisconsin Health's 'Redefining Rural Healthcare' podcast, host Eilidh Pederson, CEO of Western Wisconsin Health, speaks with Chief Human Resources Officer Erin Benson to discuss the extensive services provided by the hospital. They explore the unique challenges and solutions related to maintaining a sustainable and engaged workforce in a rural setting. Erin highlights the importance of trust-based leadership, the hospital’s values, and numerous initiatives such as professional development, wellness programs, and innovative apprenticeship models. The episode also touches on safety measures for healthcare workers, strategies for recruiting and retaining top talent, and the importance of a nurturing work culture. Erin also shares her personal motivations and methods for staying energized in her role, emphasizing the fulfillment of seeing teams working cohesively towards shared goals.

In this episode of Redefining Rural Healthcare, Urgent Care Provider, Dr. Matt Hansmeier, M.D. introduces Karen Herrera, Western Wisconsin Health’s first Medication Therapy Management (MTM) pharmacist. Karen discusses her role in optimizing medication use, supporting providers, and delivering personalized, culturally informed care. She shares what inspired her to pursue MTM, highlights the services offered, and explains how she helps patients navigate complex medication challenges through a holistic approach.

In this episode of Western Wisconsin Health's Redefining Rural Healthcare podcast, guest host Mike Veldhuis interviews family Nurse Practitioner Sarah Anderson. Sarah shares her diverse healthcare background, passion for rural medicine, and interests in dermatology and therapeutic hypothermia. She discusses her role on the hospital's quality team and highlights the benefits of rural living, including her love for horseback riding and the outdoors.

The podcast episode is part of Season 2 of Western Wisconsin Health's Redefining Rural Healthcare series. Ben Wunrow, the manager of rehabilitation services, interviews Dr. Laolu Lediju, a family practice physician at Western Wisconsin Health. Dr. Lediju discusses his background, including his medical education in Nigeria and the United States. He highlights his experience serving both Baldwin and Roberts communities, the breadth of services provided, and the unique benefits of rural healthcare. Dr. Lediju also elaborates on his specific interests in occupational health and his involvement in community health, both locally and through medical missions in Nigeria

In the latest episode of Western Wisconsin Health's podcast, guest host Nick Berger, Director of Specialty Services, interviews Dr. Peter Dahlberg, a general surgeon, about the comprehensive services offered in their rural setting. The discussion covers the breadth of medical services, the impact of advanced technology like robotics in surgical procedures, and the benefits of personalized care. Dr. Dahlberg shares his journey to becoming a surgeon, the evolution of general surgery, and the innovations that are reshaping patient outcomes. He also highlights the hospital's commitment to training residents with cutting-edge techniques and the importance of multidisciplinary support in ensuring high-quality healthcare in rural communities.

In this episode, our guest host, Ellen Thompson, interviews Dr. Dennis Hartung, an OBGYN who has practiced at Western Wisconsin Health for the past 9 years.Dr. Hartung emphasizes the importance of collaboration between providers, working closely with family medicine doctors and midwives to deliver comprehensive, personalized care. He recounts a story of helping facilitate a smooth hospital transfer for a home birth patient, highlighting Western Wisconsin Health's welcoming approach to working with midwives and home birth families. Throughout the discussion, Dr. Hartung advocates for a more respectful, collaborative model of maternity care, and expresses hope for improvements in rural healthcare reimbursement to keep vital birthing services open in small communities.

In this episode of the 'Redefining Rural Health Care' podcast, Dr. Michael Douglas from Western Wisconsin Health interviews Sara Atteberry, a nurse practitioner specializing in pediatrics. Sara shares her journey from working in urban healthcare settings to her current role in rural Wisconsin. She discusses the unique challenges and rewards of providing pediatric care in a rural setting, her involvement in expanding pediatric services, and the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration. The podcast also highlights the upcoming addition of new pediatric providers and the hospital's mission to innovate and offer comprehensive care despite geographic barriers.

Redefining Rural Healthcare podcast host and Associate Chief of Staff at Western Wisconsin Health, Dr. Michael Douglas, sits down with Gastroenterologist, Chukwunonso Chime, MDThis episode Dr. Chime dives into his own journey and how he landed here at WWH. He provides insights and detailed information on the practice, procedures, and patient care within his medical field. The discussion encompasses the roles and responsibilities of gastroenterologists and highlights the complexities and advancements in treating gastrointestinal disorders.

Redefining Rural Healthcare podcast host and Associate Chief of Staff at Western Wisconsin Health, Dr. Michael Douglas, sits down with Family Practice Physician Assistant, Katie Carstens, PA-C. Katie shares her journey from changing career paths multiple times to finding her niche in primary care and oncology at Western Wisconsin Health. She highlights the importance of preventive care, chronic disease management, and her passion for working with diverse patient populations. Katie reflects on her formative experiences in training and the support she received from her husband, her background in kinesiology, and various rotations before becoming a PA.

Podcast host and Associate Chief of Staff at Western Wisconsin Health, Dr. Michael Douglas, sits down with Urgent Care Physician, Matt Hansmeier, M.D.In this episode, Dr. Hansmeier discusses his past experiences working in Duluth, MN and the path that lead him here at WWH. He dives deep into his urgent care experience and how he values each of his patients visits and how he approaches each patient differently. Dr. Hansmeier covers this and MUCH more. 

Redefining Rural Healthcare podcast host and Associate Chief of Staff at Western Wisconsin Health, Dr. Michael Douglas, sits down with Family Practice Physician, Dr. Nate Schwartz.In this episode, Dr. Schwartz shares his journey into healthcare and his passion for caring for a diverse range of patients while building meaningful relationships. He discusses his role at Western Wisconsin Health, where he provides comprehensive care across various areas, including obstetrics, pediatrics, men’s health, women’s health, and mental health. Dr. Schwartz also highlights his recent collaboration with other providers to offer treatment for opioid dependency, helping patients on their path to recovery and healthier lives.

Redefining Rural Healthcare podcast host and Associate Chief of Staff, Dr. Michael Douglas of Western Wisconsin Health sits down with Podiatrist, Desiree Scholl, DPM, FACFAS. In this episode, Dr. Scholl discusses the evolving practice of podiatry and how these advancements can change the landscape of her profession. For those interested in pursuing a podiatry career, Dr. Scholl provides insight on the steps needed to become board certified. The advancement in technology regarding prosthetics, implants and articular devices has vastly changed the way podiatrists can shape their practice. Learn about this and MUCH more!  

Redefining Rural Healthcare podcast host and Associate Chief of Staff, Dr. Michael Douglas of Western Wisconsin Health sits down with Family Nurse Practitioner, Abbey Arndt, FNP-C, FNP-BC.In this episode, Abbey discusses her late father, Dr. Reid Berger and the impact he had on not only her, but the community. They discuss the steps that are needed to become a Nurse Practitioner and the many avenues that are available.Abbey shares her experience with transitioning her role here at WWH and building her own practice.

Redefining Rural Healthcare podcast host and Associate Chief of Staff, Dr. Michael Douglas of Western Wisconsin Health sits down with CEO, Eilidh Pederson with a special edition podcast. In this episode, Eilidh and Dr. Douglas discuss the recent HSHS (Hospital Sisters Health System) closures. They discuss the impact this will have on WWH and how it will affect the capacity here. We cover topics such as what it means for our patients and community, how will we respond and much more. 

Redefining Rural Healthcare podcast host and Associate Chief of Staff, Dr. Michael Douglas of Western Wisconsin Health sits down with Family Medicine Physician, Dr. Katie Findlay. In this episode, Dr. Findlay discusses her medical background including her Family Medicine residency at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center in Fort Hood, TX and the 7 years of active duty in the US Army at Fort Hood, Fort Sill, OK, and Iraq.Dr. Findlay has a passion for providing patients with lifestyle medicine/integrative medicine services through our Simple Health program. She discusses this program and much more! 

Redefining Rural Healthcare podcast host and Associate Chief of Staff, Dr. Michael Douglas of Western Wisconsin Health sits down with WWH Board Chair and owner of Flagship Ford of Baldwin, John Buelow. In this episode, John discusses his interest in joining the board and what role he plays in WWH's governance. With his minimal experience in the healthcare field, how has John adapted and brought his business mindset to setting up WWH for the present and future. Dr. Douglas and John discuss the challenges WWH faces, but with a dedicated team of staff, board members like John, and many others; WWH continues to strive for success. 

Redefining Rural Healthcare podcast host and Associate Chief of Staff, Dr. Michael Douglas of Western Wisconsin Health sits down with this year's Reid Berger Memorial Medical Staff Award recipient, Family Practice Provider -  Russell Roloff, MD. In this episode, Dr. Roloff briefly touches on his transition of practicing overseas in Africa and what challenges he would experience during his stay. Dr. Roloff also manages multiple roles such as teaching Nurse Practitioners and Physican Assistants students as well as handling the Clinical Director for the Rural Health Clinic role. He walks through these processes and what resources are provided to succeed. 

Redefining Rural Healthcare podcast host and Associate Chief of Staff, Dr. Michael Douglas of Western Wisconsin Health sits down with the Women's Health Provider, Sara Brown, CNM, CNP, APNP. In this episode, Sara dives into her background and what steps she had to take to find a home at WWH. She also praises two former functional medicine providers that paved the way for her to find success here. Does Sara notice any insurance barriers with her functional medicine services? She covers all that and much more!

In this episode, we flip the script as CEO Eildih Pederson sits down and interviews our podcast host and associate chief of staff, Dr. Michael Douglas.We learn about what inspired Dr. Douglas to pursue a medical career and how his background and personal values aligned with the responsibiliies of a physician. Is artificial intelligence diving into the medical field and how will that affect clinical trials? As an author of two novels, Dr. Douglas discusses how he effectively manages his time behind a multitude of interests.

Redefining Rural Healthcare podcast host and Associate Chief of Staff, Dr. Michael Douglas of Western Wisconsin Health sits down with the Manager of Rehabilitation Services, Ben Wunrow, PT, DPT. In this episode, Ben discusses his background and why he chose to dive into a rehabilitation career, the capabilities of our physical therapists having a close-knit relationship with providers on-site and much more!

Redefining Rural Healthcare podcast host and Associate Chief of Staff, Dr. Michael Douglas of Western Wisconsin Health sits down with Endocrinologist, Dr. Kheng Joe Lau, MDIn this episode, Dr. Lau discusses his transition from coming into the US from Malaysia in 2015 and how he ended up here at WWH.Will changing your lifestyle help manage your diabetes? Obesity is a growing issue here in the US and taking control of your diet and exercise should be one of your primary focuses in improving your everyday life.

Redefining Rural Healthcare podcast host and Associate Chief of Staff, Dr. Michael Douglas of Western Wisconsin Health sits down with General Surgeon, Dr. Wendy Liu, D.O.. In this episode, they discuss Dr. Liu's journey coming from the province of Haibei, China, the advancements in technology, her mindset going into procedures and much more!

Redefining Rural Healthcare podcast host and Associate Chief of Staff, Dr. Michael Douglas of Western Wisconsin Health sits down with Certified Nurse Midwife, Sarah Tyler-Peterson. They discuss Sarah's journey of transitioning into a midwife, how midwives and primary care providers work together, the process of she handles each patient differently, and much more!

Redefining Rural Healthcare podcast host and Associate Chief of Staff, Dr. Michael Douglas of Western Wisconsin Health sits down with Behavioral Health Counselor, Michael Veldhuis. They discuss Michael's transition to a rural setting, the services offered here at WWH, his background in substance abuse counseling and much more!

Redefining Rural Healthcare podcast host and Associate Chief of Staff, Dr. Michael Douglas of Western Wisconsin Health sits down with Fitness Center Manager, Scott Sekelsky. They discuss Scott's passion for fitness, the challenges the Fitness Center faced during the COVID outbreak, and how the fitness center has evolved to better the experience for you.

Redefining Rural Healthcare podcast host and Associate Chief of Staff, Dr. Michael Douglas of Western Wisconsin Health interviews Orthopedic Surgeon, Jess Brehmer. They welcome Dr. Brehmer to WWH by discussing his services, background and how he is transitioning to a rural health hospital setting.

Redefining Rural Healthcare podcast host and Associate Chief of Staff, Dr. Michael Douglas of Western Wisconsin Health interviews Chief Executive Officer, Eilidh Pederson. They discuss how WWH is finding ways to offer a variety of specialty health and wellness services from expert providers to provide high end healthcare for our rural community.