Redefining Rural Healthcare

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...

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 r...

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 pati...

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 m...

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...

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!