Redefining Rural Healthcare

In this episode of Redefining Rural Healthcare, host Ryma Lindquist talks with Russell Girard, Licensed Professional Counselor at Western Wisconsin Health, about the importance of behavioral health at every stage of life. Russell shares his expertise on ADHD, autism, early intervention, couples counseling, and overcoming the stigma surrounding mental health, while offering practical advice for par...

Join guest host Stephanie Waterman, FNP, as she talks with 2025 Provider of the Year recipient Dr. Dennis Hartung, OB/GYN about rural women's healthcare, the growth of Western Wisconsin Health's Birth Center, and the collaborative care model that continues to improve patient experiences and outcomes across the region.

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...

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 tri...

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...

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 vaccinati...

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 o...

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 pall...

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 pro...

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...

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 a...

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...

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 th...

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 service...

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, includ...

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...

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...

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 transf...

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 invol...

Redefining Rural Healthcare podcast host and Associate Chief of Staff at Western Wisconsin Health, Dr. Michael Douglas, sits down with Gastroenterologist, Chukwunonso Chime, MD This 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 encompass...

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 d...

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 patien...