Team member donors get an up-close look at Sheboygan hospital construction

Team members on the tour: (L-R) Rachel Rupnik, Carissa Ott, Ingrid Finley, Kristine Feustel, Adele Stich, hospital president Dave Graebner and Kyle Alvarez

Construction of the new Aurora Medical Center in Sheboygan County recently hit a milestone of the “halfway mark” and some Advocate Aurora Health team members got an up-close look at the progress.

In 2019, team members who generously made a multi-year gift to Aurora Health Care Foundation’s Health Lives Here campaign were given the chance to win personalized tours with hospital president, Dave Graebner. In September, those winners were chosen, and they were all very moved by what they saw.

“I am so excited to see this vision come to life. The new facility will be a great addition to the growth of Sheboygan and the diversity offered here,” said nursing assistant Adele Stich.

“To see how the building is constructed and to see where all the different departments are going to be located was great, I can’t wait to see when it’s all done,” shared patient account assistant, Kristine Feustel. “I’m hoping to use the gym when it is all completed.”

Aurora Sheboygan team members will have 24/7 access to the Team Member Fitness Center. It’s a multi-functional space that includes a variety of free weights, machines, cardio equipment and high-intensity interval training equipment. Through the Health Lives Here fundraising effort, the Foundation aims to raise $65,000 to support the purchase of new equipment. Team members who make a commitment to the campaign in 2020 could win personalized training sessions when the facility opens in 2022.

“It was a great experience to share with them the enhancements to the fitness center, healing garden, Sports Complex, and technology upgrades to engage patients and families in their care,” Graebner shared.

To have team members who are not only committed to providing the best care possible at the new facility but are also making financial gifts to enhance the care makes Graebner extremely proud. He hopes to continue to find ways to get team members engaged in the project.

“It makes me grateful for the ownership and pride that our team members bring to the Sheboygan community. They are always our best ambassadors,” Dave said.

Carissa Ott is a patient accounts representative who made a gift to the campaign and went on Dave’s guided tour, “The amount of effort and planning that has gone into this amazing facility to ensure we have the best we can for our community, really gives me a great sense of pride to be part of this organization. I look forward to having so many great resources all in one place to make everyone realize their care is a priority of ours.”