Latest Updates https://www.marshfieldclinic.org/covid-19-employee-information#goodnews

Josh is living on: One patient gives the ultimate gift of life

Josh Doherty was a one-of-a-kind caring young man who lived his life to the fullest.

He had once told his mother, Teri Doherty, that someday he was going to be famous and he was on his way to reaching that goal. One of three siblings, he grew up in central Wisconsin loving the outdoors and working hard. He was following in his father's footsteps, serving on the Armenia Volunteer Fire Department, working to become an emergency medical technician and dreaming to someday become a full-time firefighter.

Phil Doherty, his father, had been a flight paramedic for years and would tell the children stories of tragedy and trauma, sharing details about his work followed by reminders for them to be safe – wear helmets on bikes, be safe crossing streets, and be careful.

An accident on an early fall night in 2019 changed the family's life forever.

Watch this beloved son's story through the eyes of his parents, who knew their son would want to give the ultimate gift of life through organ donation.

Also featured in the video is Registered Nurse Amanda Gilmeister, Medical Intensive Care Unit and donor liaison at Marshfield Medical Center, who is with the organ donor team. This team collaborates with Donate Life America to provide education and activities to help promote registering as an organ, eye and tissue donor, and celebrating those that have given and received the gift of life.

Organ donation is very rare, she said. Annually, the team has about five to 10 donor patients. Less than 5% of the population will die in a way that allows them to be an organ donor. Clinical triggers define a point in care when the medical center calls the organ donor team with a referral after injuries of a patient are deemed to be “non-survivable," Gilmeister said.

Marshfield Medical Center partners with UW-Organ and Tissue Donation to determine which patients are eligible. The organ donor team's first step is to have a conversation with the family. From the time someone gives consent for a donation to them actually going to the operating room is anywhere from 36 to 72 hours.

While completing blood testing, patient history and medical exams, the organ donor team makes an effort to personalize each donor patient experience with the family. They work with Spiritual Services and other bereavement support through the process and the recovery team takes time to go to a donor patient's bedside to thank them and their family for this selfless gift.

After every donation, the organ donor team raises the Donate Life Flag in front of the hospital to honor the individual. During the flag raising, Spiritual Services and family members may speak.

This is then followed by a moment of silence.

Dr. Parkhurst named vice president-medical affairs for Ladysmith and Rice Lake regions

Brandon Parkhurst, M.D. has always had a passion to serve rural communities. Born in a critical access hospital in rural north Missouri, he knows firsthand the need for health care in communities like his own.

Recently, Dr. Parkhurst accepted the role as vice president-medical affairs (VPMA) for Ladysmith and Rice Lake regions. Jeff Euclide, chief administrative officer, Marshfield Medical Center-Ladysmith, who has worked with Dr. Parkhurst for the past two years, said he's excited to partner with him in the new role.

“I have found him to be a great resource, and he has an awesome sense of humor," Euclide said. “His passion for serving rural communities is evident in his day-to-day practice. He has been a medical leader in the west region for a while and has brought his expertise and determination to each of those positions."

Dr. Parkhurst joined Marshfield Clinic Health System in August 2000, after completing his family medicine residency in Eau Claire. He has practiced with the Health System at the Riverview, Menomonie, and Lake Hallie centers, and has served in leadership roles for Patient Experience, and most recently as adult primary care service line medical director.

“Dr. Parkhurst is a respected and valued leader with an extensive background working to improve our patient's experience," said Brad Groseth, chief administrative officer, Marshfield Medical Center-Rice Lake. “I look forward to his continued leadership and dedication to our patients in his new role as VPMA for Rice Lake and Ladysmith regions."

Bariatric Surgery in Marshfield receives Blue Distinction from Anthem

Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery at Marshfield Medical Center is now a Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery recognized by Blue Cross Blue Shield. Metabolic and bariatric surgeons Drs. Vijaya Nirujogi and Julio Bird, and their team, recently received the honor.

Health care providers with the Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery designation have shown they provide care safely, effectively and cost efficiently. This designation also means that bariatric surgery is covered for members that use the Center of Excellence network for Blue Cross Blue Shield.

"Whenever a patient comes to us for bariatric surgery, we strive to provide them with the best possible care," said Dr. Nirujogi, Bariatric Surgery director. "Bariatric surgery is an important tool for patients that struggle with losing weight and has been shown to be the most effective way to lose weight and keep it off."

Obesity is a serious and chronic condition that increases the risks of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep apnea, fatty liver, gastroesophageal reflux disease, hiatal hernia and many other health problems. When traditional weight loss methods fail and obesity persists, weight loss surgery is an option to consider. Both Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy surgeries for weight-loss help decrease appetite, decrease the amount of food that can be eaten at one time, and alter how the body utilizes energy due to hormonal changes. Weight loss surgery is currently the most effective and longest lasting treatment available for obesity.

The team that assesses programs for Blue Distinction ensures that bariatric surgical patients receive a multidisciplinary program, not just a surgical procedure, which improves patient outcomes and long-term success. The accredited center offers preoperative and postoperative care designed specifically for their severely obese patients. The care team is committed to seek continuous quality improvement to enhance the structure, process and outcomes of the metabolic and bariatric surgery program.

To earn the Blue Distinction designation, Marshfield Medical Center met essential criteria for quality, cost and access to offer consumers meaningful differentiation in quality and value. The center also participates in a national data registry that yields reports on the quality of its processes and outcomes, identifying opportunities for continuous quality improvement.

Are you interested in learning more about bariatric surgery? Visit our website at www.marshfieldclinic.org/bariatric or contact Lynz Jordan, our Bariatric Surgery coordinator for more information at 715-387-9220 or ext. 7-9220. If you are a physician and are interested in referring, use Referral Manager.

Pediatric surgeon working to grow surgery program at Marshfield Children's

Dr. Ashwin Pimpalwar has begun providing pediatric surgery at Marshfield Children's Hospital, offering a comprehensive option for patients in central and northern Wisconsin. Procedures he performs include trauma and cancer surgeries, and procedures that treat conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract, chest, urinary or genital tracts, endocrine system, head and neck, and many others.

He also offers minimally invasive surgery for neonates, infants and children up to 18 years and robotic surgery for kids. Programs offered include those for chest wall deformities, bowel motility, short gut rehabilitation, single port MIS surgery and vascular anomalies.

Dr. Pimpalwar attended medical school at the Government Medical College & Hospital in Nagpur, India. He completed his residency at Indira Gandhi Government Medical College & Hospital in Nagpur, India and fellowship at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania.

“We are extremely excited to have Dr. Pimpalwar as a part of our team," said Dr. Brian Hoerneman, vice president of medical affairs at Marshfield Medical Center. “Dr. Pimpalwar comes to us with a wealth of experience in pediatric surgery. His addition to the program will allow us to continue to grow our pediatric surgery program and Marshfield Children's Hospital."

Dr. Pimpalwar is passionate about providing surgery to underserved populations, which is why he performs free surgeries around the world through his charity, Peedh Parai International.

“I love pediatric surgery. I never get bored or tired of it. Going to other countries and providing free surgeries is a passion of mine," Dr. Pimpalwar said.

It is this philosophy that also encouraged him to come to an underserved area of Wisconsin and grow the surgery program at Marshfield Children's.

“I enjoy working with children. There is always a subset of patients that don't tell you anything. You have to make friends with them. This is a challenge that I enjoy," Dr. Pimpalwar said. “I will always work hard for my patients and give them the best possible outcomes."

Besides his main interest of mission work, Dr. Pimpalwar enjoys writing books and reviewing scientific articles. His wife is a pediatric interventional radiologist and together they have a daughter.

Health System welcomes new residents and fellows

New trainees were recently welcomed to Marshfield Clinic Health System Residency/Fellowship Program, an educational endeavor that started over four decades ago.

In addition to medical programs in dermatology, general surgery, internal medicine, internal medicine-pediatrics, pediatrics and an emergency medicine fellowship, the Health System also offers a one-year residency training program in pharmacy, a one-year residency training program in medication-use safety and two-year fellowship training programs in post-doctoral adult psychology and post-doctoral child/adolescent and pediatric psychology.

Welcome to these new residents/fellows for the 2020-2021 academic year:

Dermatology Residency: Britt

DeRuyter, M.D., and Stephanie Tadayon, M.D.

General Surgery Residency: Kirran

Bakhshi, M.D., Laurie Hung, M.D., and Catherine Mayer, D.O.

Internal Medicine Residency: Sheetal Aatrai, M.D., Tugce Akcan, M.D., Aanchal Chaudhary, M.D.,

Marjan Khan, M.D., Junting Liu, M.D., Gul Nawaz, M.D., Babar Shahzad, M.D., Shivy Sharma, M.D., Matthew Stoflet, M.D., and Rayan Suliman, M.D.

Internal Medicine-Pediatrics Residency: Medhavani Chandra, M.D., and Felipe Echeverria, M.D.

Pediatrics Residency: Elizabeth Chacko, M.D., Crandall Fuerth, M.D., Neha Kapasi, M.D., Noor Ketana, M.D., Dusan Markovic, M.D., and Diana Montes, M.D.

Pharmacy Residency: Whitney Haley, Pharm.D., Joshua Linn, Pharm.D., Dakota

Slone, Pharm.D., Dimple Dhakal, Pharm.D., Gary Karagodsky, Pharm.D., and Taylor Orton, Pharm.D.

Medication-Use Safety Pharmacy Residency: Christina Kellar, Pharm.D.

Emergency Medicine Fellowship: Nirpeksh Jain, M.D.

Post-Doctoral Adult Psychology Fellowship: Alexandra Vanderwerff, Ph.D.

Post-Doctoral Child/Adolescent and Pediatric Psychology Fellowship: Samantha Eastberg, Ph.D., and Karlee McCoy, Psy.D.

The Health System's combined residency/fellowship program has now graduated 796 residents and 47 post-doctoral fellows since 1974. More than 100 of those graduates are caring for patients at the Health System.

School of Radiography accepting applications for 2021

Marshfield Clinic Health System Division of Education has several programs to train students who can someday become Health System employees. The School of Radiography is one such program and it has been part of the Health System for more than 60 years.

Currently, applications are being accepted for the School of Radiography for the 2021 school year. Associate's and bachelor degree options are available. Visit our website for information on application pre-requisites, minimum requirements and application process.

With an associate's degree and the completion of pre-requisite courses, students can take the 22-month, five semester program at the Health System to complete a certificate in radiography. This certificate provides the graduate with the eligibility to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) national certification exam in radiography. Successful completion of this exam provides the title of Registered Radiologic Technologist, and the opportunity to secure employment as a competent entry-level radiographer.

The School of Radiography provides students with quality didactic and clinical education, and the community with quality and competent professionals of radiologic technology, through a curriculum that promotes the current practice, guidelines and standards. Through over 1,100 hours of didactic instruction and 1,700 clinical hours in multiple departments of the Health System, students are well prepared for a career as a radiographer.

If you or someone you know would like to further your education and training, email Krista Lambert, School of Radiography director. She can help answer questions about the program or the application process.

Spread the word to your family and friends about this opportunity to become a registered radiologic technologist at the Health System.

Bringing sunshine to Neillsville

We might be heading into the fall and colder temperatures, but two providers at Neillsville Dental Center are brightening days and enriching lives of our Marshfield Clinic Health System patients.

Maryann Forsell, D.M.D., created thank you bags for Neillsville staff to show her appreciation for her colleagues. Along with that, Andrew Engel, D.D.S., was featured for

the Sunshine Award, awarded by WEAU Channel 13, Eau Claire.

“The gifts were a bright spot for the team," said Karla Kennedy, dental center manager. “This is the stuff that really engages staff and helps to drive our team in its mission."

Dr. Engel was nominated for going “above and beyond" for a patient. During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, our Family Health Center of Marshfield, Inc.

dental centers were closed for the safety of staff and patients.

After the center reopened, the patient had an emergency dental visit scheduled, and

upon completing the initial treatment and after the instruments were put away, the patient realized he had another painful tooth. Instead of rescheduling another appointment, Dr. Engel cared for the patient when it was convenient for them.

“The fact that this was the end of their already long day shows a lot toward their level of caring professionalism," wrote the patient in their nomination. “Highly appreciated and recommended."

If your department or unit has special stories like these, please submit to COMM SERVICES SHARED with an image that is appropriate during COVID-19 pandemic.

Volunteer for Day of Caring 2020

United Way of South Wood and Adams counties is hosting their annual raking event, Day of Caring, Oct. 24.

During Day of Caring, volunteers will rake yards for local elderly and disabled neighbors. You can form groups with your friends, relatives or co-workers. However, please follow physical distancing and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. You must provider your own gloves, rakes and transportation.

Volunteers and team leaders can register now. The first 400 pre-registered volunteers will receive a free T-shirt. All youth volunteers (under the age of 18) must have a signed waiver from a parent or guardian.

United Way food wars: Knock a hole in hunger

The food banks in Marathon County are in need of food more so this year because of the number of unemployed people due to COVID-19. Because United Way is unable to have a United We Can event, Marshfield Clinic Health System departments are hosting food wars.

Health System departments in the Marathon County area can bring in canned or boxed food items, build a sculpture in your department, and take a picture. You can email the

photo and route the food donations to Karen Singsheim at W1X. View this handout for the best foods to donate.

Food wars begin Saturday, Sept. 19 through Friday, Oct. 2. The winning department will be rewarded with lunch for their entire department. In past years, the United We Can event has filled several semi-trailers. Let's see how much can be collected this year.

Editor's note: The provider introduction articles are welcoming new providers who started earlier this year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bev Weister retires after more than 50 years

The end of August marked the end of a nursing career that spanned over 50 years for Bev Weister.

Weister started as a staff nurse at St Joseph's Hospital in 1966. Then from 1969-1986, she went on to be an instructor at the School of Nursing at St Joseph's Hospital, training many of the nurses who are still working today within Marshfield Clinic Health System.

She briefly left the Health System in 1986 to work for the Wood County Health Department, but returned in 1989 to work in Patient Education where she finished her career.

During her 31 years in Division of Education, she served as nutrition services manager, along with patient education coordinator and manager of Patient Education materials.

“Bev will be missed in many ways, whether it be by the numerous people that knew her or due to her knowledge of the patient education materials and the Health System in general," said Lori Gropp, academic business systems and patient education manager. “Although her expertise, her willingness to help others and her warm smile will certainly be missed, we wish her good health and happiness in the future."

During retirement, Weister plans to stay busy spending time with her husband Jim, and her kids and grandkids, as well as doing various craft projects.

“We thank Bev for her passion for nursing, hard work and her many years of dedicated service," Gropp said.

Haupt-Harrington brings new role to Medical Genetics

Rachael Haupt-Harrington, D.N.P., was first inspired by her mother to become a nurse.

Haupt-Harrington worked as an obstetrics nurse, women's health nurse practitioner and NICU nurse manager for several years with Marshfield Clinic Health System. She also spent some of her career teaching with the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire nursing program. In the back of her mind however, she had a lifelong interest in genetics that she wanted to pursue.

“I never even fathomed there would be a nurse practitioner position in genetics," Haupt-Harrington said. “In this role, I'm able to combine all my interests – genetics, nursing, teaching and caring for others."

In medical genetics, Haupt-Harrington assesses her patients, identifies genetic risks, orders testing and helps to manage treatment and ongoing care. As new evidence and research becomes available, she works with her team to continually help improve screening and personalize care for her patients.

With her previous experience, Haupt-Harrington has special interest in pediatrics and women's health, but cares for patients of all ages and conditions.

“I'm here to help find answers for families and be their support system," she said. “It's my relationships with my patients, and being able to help them, that really matters."

Haupt-Harrington received her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 2012.

She met her husband, Tom, in Tennessee, and the couple raises their two daughters in Marshfield. She enjoys spending time with her family.

Dr. Goetter joins Weston OB/GYN

Dr. Melissa Goetter was always interested in medicine. Her parents remember her holding clinics for her toys as a toddler. In early high school, she participated in a medical explorer's afterschool program and wrote a paper on becoming an obstetrician. Once in college, she pursued a biology degree with the hope of pursuing geriatrics medicine. It wasn't until rotations in obstetrics while in England, she realized her passion for labor and delivery.

“It was much more hands on at the medical student level in England," she said. “By the time I came back to the United States, I had delivered 20 or 30 babies all by myself. From the first time I delivered a baby, my love of OB/GYN was solidified."

Throughout her residency, it was the ability to care for females through all ages and stages that really piqued her interest.

As an OB/GYN, Dr. Goetter can care for patients of all ages, from adolescents to the elderly. She can treat any clinical conditions or concerns throughout a women's life span. Dr. Goetter is focused on evidence-based clinic medicine, and adds to a patient's plan of care with well-researched treatments.

It's important to her that patients are well educated and understand their care. She encourages them to reach out with questions during or after an appointment.

“If you take that extra time upfront to educate, patients won't have as many questions when they get home when they don't have you there to ask," Dr. Goetter said. “Patients appreciate the extra time and it gives them a sense of calm that they have control and have been a part of their health care."

She appreciates open communication with her patients and works together with them to find the best care plan. If patients come in with a concern, Dr. Goetter will make sure it is addressed.

Dr. Goetter earned her medical degree at American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine in St. Maarten, Netherland Antilles, and completed her residency at Marshall University - Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine in Huntington, West Virginia.

She and her husband have three children. Her life revolves around her family, which is a main reason she moved her practice to Marshfield Clinic Health System. Her family enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing and swimming in the summer and sledding, ice skating and snowmobiling in the winter. The family also shares a passion for music.

Weston Center welcomes new Internal Medicine provider

As an internal medicine provider, Dr. Ryan Gossett uses a blend of his expertise with an interest to interact with people. Having a love of science, he studied chemistry in college, which attracted him to medicine.

“I have enjoyed doing inpatient medicine and thinking through health problems," Dr. Gossett said. “In the clinic setting, I truly enjoy getting to know patients over time to better understand who they are and what they want out of life and their health."

Dr. Gossett treats adult and geriatric patients. He can help with chronic disease management, but also has experience in muscular skeletal problems and mental health. Dr. Gossett's focus is getting to know his

patients to provide them overall wellness.

“Wellness is to be defined individually," he said. “Each of us have a unique sense of what makes us well. I work to understand what people value and what they want out of their life and health, and then help them support that concept."

He is there to guide his patients to the healthiest choices, but also accepts that patients make their own decisions. “I'm here to educate and guide so you can make the best decision for you," he said.

Dr. Gossett earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, and completed an internship in internal medicine with the Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals in 2004. He followed with his residency at the University of Wisconsin-Family Practice Center in Wausau in 2009.

Outside of his practice, Dr. Gossett is proud to be a board member and volunteer medic for the Never Forgotten Honor Flight, a not-for-profit organization of dedicated volunteers who fly veterans to Washington D.C. to visit their memorials. He was inspired to volunteer for the project because his grandfather was an aviator in World War II.

Dr. Gossett and his wife have two children. Their family enjoys camping, hiking, biking and skiing.

Dr. Henley joins Weston Center's Family Medicine

Dr. Robin Henley, family medicine physician, works to create a comfortable, friendly environment for patients during their visit.

"Patients can trust that I will be truthful, respectful and always do my best to provide excellent care," she said. "I want my patients to be open about their health care

concerns, and be able to discuss those issues in a non-judgmental and caring environment."

She takes great satisfaction in being able to offer care to all age groups - from infancy to the elderly. Family Practice is especially rewarding for her, when she can care for multiple generations within the same family.

With nearly 10 years of experience practicing emergency medicine in Wisconsin, Dr. Henley also has a better awareness of the real need for primary care physicians to provide preventive and on-going care for the whole family. "I am excited to fill a primary care need in my community by building a family medicine practice in Weston," she said.

As an undergraduate, Dr. Henley attended Lawrence University, where she studied philosophy and biomedical ethics. She earned her medical degree from Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical School in Des Moines, Iowa, and completed her osteopathic internship at Sun Coast Hospital in Largo, Florida. Her family medicine residency was completed at the University of Wisconsin Medical School – Eau Claire Residency Program.

Dr. Henley grew up in Appleton. She enjoys watching baseball – Brewers, Woodchucks or her son's Little League team. When she's not working, Dr. Henley is spending time with her family. She and her husband have three children, two grandchildren and many extended family members in Central Wisconsin. Her family enjoys camping, kayaking, fishing and playing cards, especially Sheepshead.

Health System continues re-starting centers and services

Editor's note: This article will be updated weekly to reflect hours for centers and services that have restarted this week.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have continually put patient and staff safety, health and well-being at the forefront of every decision we make. Ongoing changes to hours of operation, service openings, and outreach and workflows for locations across the Health System allow for more in-person services.

The Health System will continue to focus on scheduling telehealth and phone appointments as much as possible. Our emergency departments and urgent care locations are generally available for those immediate needs.

Keeping safety in mind, in-person appointments are available at many Health System locations.

To view the full list go to: marshfieldclinic.org/location-changes.

As of Sept. 16, these changes were made, including:

Mosinee Center: Primary Care is open with radiology and mobile imaging is

available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Lab services are available 7:30 a.m.

to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, and physical therapy is open 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and

1:45-5 p.m., Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Wausau Center: Screening and pre-op COVID-19 labs are open 7:20 a.m. to

3:10 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 7:20-11 a.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays,

8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturdays and 8:15-11:30 a.m. Sundays. For symptom and

exposure public, COVID-19 labs are available 7:20 a.m. to 3:10 p.m., Monday,

Wednesday and Friday; 7:20-11 a.m., Tuesday and Thursday; 8 a.m. to 1:30

p.m., Saturdays; and 8:15-11:30 a.m., Sundays.

Weston Center: Screening and prep-op COVID-19 labs are open 8:30 a.m. to 5

p.m., Monday-Friday. For public with symptoms or exposed, COVID-19 labs are

available 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Drive-thru COVID-19 testing

Drive-thru testing is available at various Health System locations and is by referral only from the Nurse Line.