ThedaCare receives Regents Business Partnership Award at UWO

The Universities of Wisconsin and the Board of Regents presented the Regents Business Partnership Award to ThedaCare on Friday, Nov. 15 at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

The Regents Business Partnership Award recognizes university collaborations throughout the state that are vital to Wisconsin's economic strength and vibrance.

ThedaCare continues to be a strong UWO academic partner and a consistent employer of talented UWO Titans across a spectrum of majors and disciplines.

"After listening to business leaders, it dawned on the Regents that maybe it was time to recognize the investment companies around Wisconsin are making in our universities - and to publicly acknowledge what we're hearing all the time - how critical our students and graduates are to the success of some of Wisconsin's most significant businesses," Regent Desmond Adongo, a UWO student, said in kicking off the award presentation Nov. 15.

"UW-Oshkosh is fortunate to have a business like ThedaCare as such a vital partner," Adongo said. "And all of us are excited by the new ThedaCare campus being constructed right now in downtown Oshkosh, which we know will allow the partnership between ThedaCare and our great university to expand even more."

Important partnership

Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman said that, across the state, universities like UWO are producing graduates that businesses like ThedaCare hire to grow and expand, and "some of them identify potential employees through internships as soon as a student's first year."

"We are responding to workforce demand, and the Universities of Wisconsin are investing more in programs where employers have the greatest need," Rothman said. "Nearly 40 percent of our graduates right now are in STEM and health fields. We are the state's most significant talent producer and talent magnet. Partnering with businesses like ThedaCare is critical to powering up the workforce pipeline - and helping to keep Wisconsinites economically secure."

In accepting the award, Dr. Robert Cavagnol, North Region President, Froedtert ThedaCare Health, recognized "the important partnerships between the organization and a top academic institution such as UW-Oshkosh."

The collaborations are bound to flourish and grow, as ThedaCare speeds toward completion of a new health center on the Fox River in Oshkosh off Oregon Street and 6th Avenue, less than a mile from the UWO riverfront campus.

ThedaCare Medical Center-Oshkosh will complement the city's major redevelopment and revitalization efforts, Cavagnol said.

"This health campus was created to provide the best experience for patients and their families by our dedicated care teams. It's expected to be complete in 2025. Approximately 60 new jobs are expected to be created for caregivers and staff at the campus," he said.

Jenny Nikolai, Vice President, ThedaCare Medical Centers-Fond du Lac and Oshkosh, said the organization is proud to continue supporting UWO students in their education and, in doing so, positively impact patient care throughout the region.

"Our new team members who are graduates from UW-Oshkosh are a great benefit to the organization, passionate about serving patients and families, and providing high-quality care for our communities," Nikolai said. "Many of the graduates have already had prior experience within our system - through internships, training or learning opportunities. They can jump right in and begin offering compassionate care for our patients. Their eagerness to learn and contribute strengthens team engagement and sense of purpose. We appreciate our many partnerships to support students and give them the best chance for success in their careers."

Titans at ThedaCare

UWO Chancellor Andrew Leavitt noted there are more than 60 UWO graduates from the classes of 2022 and 2023 that ThedaCare employed. Those Titans boast an array of degrees earned, including Finance, Human Resources, Biomedical Science, Microbiology, Kinesiology, Medical Technology, Environmental Studies, Radiologic Science, Rehabilitation Science and Psychology.

ThedaCare is also a UWO partner in academics. The health care organization partnered with UWO in a new rural telehealth initiative, fueled by a Universities of Wisconsin Innovation Grant. The initiative built and integrated curriculum to educate current and future nurses on the use of telehealth to improve rural chronic illness outcomes. Nursing students at UWO were part of a summer pilot program based in ThedaCare post-acute homecare services in Berlin, New London, Shawano, Waupaca and Wild Rose.

"The experiential learning our students engaged in is vital to their preparation as skilled, modern, relevant and effective nurses, which we all need more of," Leavitt said. "The demands for more of this talent are incredible, and we're committed to providing more of it. ThedaCare is equal to the task, and we so appreciate their support and collaboration in our academic mission."

Learn more:

Photo gallery: ThedaCare receives Regents Business Partnership Award

UWO College of Nursing awarded UW Innovation Grant to grow telehealth education

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