Kraus-Anderson: Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County to begin construction on new $64.8 million hospital serving southwest Wisconsin

DARLINGTON, Wis. – (June 27, 2023) – Kraus-Anderson is about to begin construction on Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County (MHLC), a new $64.8 million replacement hospital and clinic building located on a 36-acre site at the intersection of WI State Hwy. 23 and County Hwy. K in Darlington, Wis.  As a critical access hospital, the current facility has served the greater community and provided a full range of acute care inpatient and outpatient services since 1952. 

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, July 15.  Keynote speakers will include U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, State Senator Howard Marklein and State Representative Todd Novak. The public is welcome to attend. 

Designed by Eppstein Uhen Architects (EUA), the 80,000-square-foot hospital will feature a new emergency department, diagnostic imaging, surgical services with two operating rooms, a procedure room, medical and surgical unit, pharmacy, rehabilitation, and a vision clinic with a retail eye shop.  The hospital will also include space for behavioral health and mindfulness sessions.  In addition to the hospital, the site will house a 3,600-square-foot stand-alone building that includes two residency units and a garage for maintenance storage.

Winston Churchill once said: “A hospital is a human invention and as such can be reinvented at any time.”  Kathy Kuepers, CEO of Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County, added: “We shape our buildings and afterwards our buildings shape us.  We have been working towards our reinvention for the last four years and are very excited for the future of healthcare in Lafayette County. Like a kaleidoscope the same beautiful pieces were maintained as we are morphed into this beautiful new vision for our healthcare campus.”

In 2022, MHLC completed the financing to build a new facility. The funds include a $30.8 million revenue bond and $15 million general obligation bond in direct loans from the USDA, and a $5 million guaranteed loan, all of which will be paid for by the proceeds of the hospital.  In addition, MHLC was awarded $14 million in additional grant funds.

“Memorial Hospital provides essential care for Southwest Wisconsin, serving Wisconsinites who otherwise would face long drive times to access critical health care. This new hospital is an investment in the health, well-being, and future prosperity of Lafayette County and the surrounding areas,” said Senator Baldwin. “I am proud to support the construction of this new hospital to give our health care professionals the facility they need to keep patients safe and healthy, help attract families and businesses to Southwestern Wisconsin, and connect more Wisconsinites to the high-quality health care they deserve, from preventative care to emergency services.”

Construction on the new hospital is expected to be completed in fall of 2024. The current facility will be in operation during construction.

About Kraus-Anderson

Established in 1897, Kraus-Anderson (www.krausanderson.com) is one of the nation’s premier commercial general contractors and construction managers, which has been leading the charge in sustainable design and construction for the last 25 years. With deep experience in healthcare construction, the company is currently ranked 15th in the nation among the top health care general contractors in the U.S. by Modern Healthcare magazine. Kraus-Anderson, an EEO/AA employer, is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn. and has regional offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wis., Bismarck, N.D., and Duluth, Bemidji and Rochester Minn.

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WPS Health Solutions awards 2023 community partnership funding

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli
Vice President of Communications
608-512-5754
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

WPS Health Solutions awards 2023 community partnership funding
New process provides $103,800 toward diversity, equity, and inclusion

MADISON, Wis.—June 27, 2023—This year’s WPS Health Solutions community partnership funding decisions have been made, marking a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. To incorporate the unique talent and expertise of team members at WPS, its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team designed a new equitable process that actively involves employees in decision-making. This innovative approach ensures that WPS’ funding decisions reflect its dedication to fostering a more inclusive and representative future for all. 

For the first time in WPS’ history, the community partnership team put out an open call for applications in February, offering one-time grants ranging from $250 to $10,000 for qualified, tax-exempt organizations that support key drivers of social and health equity with a strong emphasis on mental health and the well-being of all communities.  

This year, WPS is awarding $103,800 among the following 31 organizations working to advance mental health and well-being, diverse and inclusive teams, and diversification of the company’s supply chain ecosystem.

• Access Community Health Centers, Inc.
• Aldo Leopold Nature Center, Inc.
• American Cancer Society
• American Heart Association
• American Red Cross Wisconsin
• Bayview Foundation
• Breast Cancer Recovery
• Bridge Lake Point Waunona Neighborhood Center
• Bridges United Inc.
• Custom Canines Service Dog Academy
• Disability:IN Wisconsin
• East Madison Community Center
• Easter Seals Wisconsin
• Edgewood College
• First Tee – South Central Wisconsin
• Freedom, Inc.
• Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
• Friends of the Monona Senior Center
• Journey to Adult Success, Inc.
• Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Wisconsin
• Love Reigns Corporation
• Madison Public Art Project, Inc.
• Madison Public Schools Foundation
• Madison Reading Project
• Madison365
• Monona Grove Education Foundation, Inc.
• The Road Home Dane County
• Urban League of Greater Madison
• Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce
• Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce
• YWCA Madison

Opening the application process resulted in an increase in new organizations applying that may have never considered partnering with WPS in the past. One of the critical aspects of the new process is inviting WPS employees to share the application with their favorite nonprofits, resulting in applications from nearly 60 organizations across the U.S., geographically diversifying the pool of applicants. 

About WPS Health Solutions^®

Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions), founded in 1946, is a nationally regarded benefits administrator for a variety of U.S. government programs and a leading not-for-profit health insurer in Wisconsin. WPS Health Solutions serves active-duty and retired military personnel, seniors, individuals, and families in Wisconsin, across the U.S., and around the world. WPS Health Solutions, headquartered in Madison, Wis., has more than 2,700 employees. Within the enterprise, there are three divisions: WPS Government Health Administrators, WPS Military and Veterans Health, and WPS Health Insurance/WPS Health Plan/EPIC Specialty Benefits. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.

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One Community Bank: Dan Mattes promoted to AVP – Business Banker

June 27, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Ameilia Abraham
One Community Bank
608-838-3141
aabraham@onecommunity.bank

Dan Mattes promoted to AVP – Business Banker

(June 2023) – One Community Bank is proud to announce the recent promotion of Dan Mattes as AVP-Business Banker at its Sun Prairie location!

“Dan recently joined One Community Bank and quickly became a valuable asset to the treasury management team. He will continue to work closely with our clients and develop new business relationships. In his new role, he will have the opportunity to work with a diverse range of commercial and business clients, helping them achieve their goals and objectives through effective communication and strategic planning,” said Steven Erickson, Chief Sales Officer.

Dan has over 15 years of experience in the banking industry with 10 years of experience in residential mortgage lending. “I have loved working in commercial banking, it has been a pleasure developing business relationships at One Community Bank,” said Dan.

Dan is passionate about giving back to his community. He is an active member of both the Sun Prairie and Cottage Grove Chambers of Commerce.

“I appreciate my colleagues at OCB and being able to learn from them. It has been rewarding being a part of the growth of the treasury management team,” said Dan.

Outside of work, Dan loves spending time with his wife and three sons. When he has free time, he enjoys golfing and running.

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One Community Bank is one of the largest community banks in south central Wisconsin. The locally
owned bank has 10 bank locations and $1.8 billion in assets. It provides both personal and business
banking solutions, with an intense focus on serving clients, supporting colleagues, and investing in its
communities. Five years in a row named one of Madison’s best places to work, One Community Bank
serves the communities of Oregon, McFarland, Waunakee, Stoughton, Sun Prairie, Middleton, Adams,
Oxford, and Grand Marsh.

Wisconsin Union: 2023 Summer Paddling Experiences Have Begun at Lakeside Outdoor UW

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 2023

Contact Information:
Shauna Breneman, Communications Director
Email: sbreneman@wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 262-8862

READ RELEASE ONLINE: union.wisc.edu/about/news/outdooruw-2023

2023 SUMMER PADDLING EXPERIENCES HAVE BEGUN AT LAKESIDE OUTDOOR UW

MADISON – The Outdoor UW team has launched its summertime experiences in downtown Madison, including new services and events.

The Wisconsin Union’s outlet to the outdoors, Outdoor UW, has begun offering its traditional summer paddling rentals, including single and tandem kayaks, canoes, one-person and eight-person stand-up paddleboards; event traditions, such as Family Nights on Lake Mendota and yoga classes in partnership with University Recreation and Wellbeing; and storage of privately owned kayaks and canoes. 

New to Outdoor UW’s offerings are hiking trips that end with beverages at the outdoor entertainment and dining destination the Memorial Union Terrace; paddling lessons; paddling excursions to Picnic Point, a peninsula along Lake Mendota’s shore; custom outdoor learning opportunities; rentals of a 6-foot by 9-foot floating swim pad; and rentals of new sleeping bags that aim to keep people warm when temperatures drop down as low as 15 degrees Fahrenheit.

Patrons can register for scheduled events and reserve outdoor recreation equipment online, by phone at (608) 262-1630, or by email. Patrons can also call or email the Outdoor UW team to discuss scheduling a private outdoor recreation event or creating custom private outdoor experiences for their family, friends or team.

The team also expanded its Lake Mendota-facing live music event series, called Lakefront Live, which it presents in collaboration with the student-led Wisconsin Union Directorate Music Committee.

The Outdoor UW team offers year-round camping, hiking and climbing equipment rentals as well as outdoor learning and exploration opportunities. Its wintertime services include snowshoes and ice skates rentals as well as seasonal events.

“Whether someone is an avid outdoors person or is just starting to dip their toes into outdoor recreation experiences, we are ready to be their outlet to the outdoors,” Outdoor UW Director Dave Elsmo said.

The Wisconsin Union has a decades-long tradition of providing outdoor recreation experiences to community members and visitors, such as through six outdoor recreation clubs that make up an organization called the Wisconsin Hoofers, including the Hoofer Sailing Club, which provides access to sailing lessons on Lake Mendota. Headquartered at Outdoor UW and advised by the Outdoor UW team, all 18 and over can join the Wisconsin Hoofers and become part of a community of outdoor enthusiasts of every experience level.

Those who would like to learn more about how to explore the outdoors through Outdoor UW can visit union.wisc.edu/outdooruw.

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About Outdoor UW

Outdoor UW is the Wisconsin Union’s outlet to the outdoors, offering everything from outdoor recreation equipment rentals to custom group outdoors experiences. The Outdoor UW team also advises six outdoors clubs, which make up the Wisconsin Hoofers, and Hoofer Council, the governing body of the Hoofers. Outdoor UW is part of the Wisconsin Union, which is the UW–Madison Division of Social Education. Learn more about Outdoor UW: union.wisc.edu/outdooruw.

Sustain Dane is hiring a Full-Time Development & Partnership Manager

You can play a critical role in helping Sustain Dane achieve our vision of a thriving and connected community with a sustainable environment and economy we are proud to pass on to future generations.

Overview:

• Title: Development & Partnerships Manager
• Full time position with salary of $45,000 – $55,000
• Competitive benefits
• Reports to Claire Schaefer Oleksiak, Sustain Dane Executive Director

Submission: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting Monday, July 10 until the position is filled. Anticipated start date of September 5, 2023. To apply, email your resume and cover letter to claire@sustaindane.org. Please include your name and “Development & Partnership Manager” in the subject line.

Job Description: The Development & Partnerships Manager oversees member relations, retention, recruitment and partnership outreach. This position also manages grants, fundraising campaigns, project management, and reporting. The Development & Partnership Manager supervises the Program Coordinator and Development Interns. The position works collaboratively with the Executive Director, staff team, Board of Directors, and external partners to develop and implement strategies to support Sustain Dane’s mission.

Read full position description