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Connected for Kids partners celebrate official opening of Junior Achievement health care storefront. Jul 03, 2026 Children's Wisconsin Media Relations Junior Achievement of Wisconsin and the Connected for Kids partner organizations - Children's Wisconsin, Emplify Health by Bellin and ThedaCare - officially inaugurated the Connected for Kids Experiential Learning Storefront at the Junior Achievement location in Appleton. The celebration marks the formal opening of a first-of-its-kind, immersive health care learning experience designed to inspire the next generation of health care professionals across Northeast Wisconsin. The storefront, which opened earlier this year, invites students in grades 4 through 6 to step into the roles of health care leaders - exploring patient care, learning how medical organizations operate and discovering the wide range of career options available in this field. The storefront will be used for experiential learning through JA BizTown and JA Finance Park. JA BizTown is a nationally recognized entrepreneurial simulation that brings real-world industries to life through hands-on learning. JA Finance Park is a personal financial planning and career capstone experience where students apply learning to develop a personal budget. The Connected for Kids storefront extends these experiences into the health care sector, allowing students to become a health care CEO, market the partner organizations' services and learn what it is really like to work in health care. "We are incredibly proud to welcome Children's Wisconsin, Emplify Health by Bellin and ThedaCare as partners in the JA BizTown and Finance Park experience," said Matt Juedes, Director of Development and Stewardship for Junior Achievement. "These opportunities have always been about more than business - they're about opening doors for young people and showing them what is possible. Having the Connected for Kids partner organizations come together in this space sends a powerful message to our students: your future career in health care starts right here." The Connected for Kids pediatric partnership aims to improve the health and well-being of children and adolescents in Northeast and Central Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Together, its partner organizations have worked collaboratively to design a storefront experience that is both medically meaningful and genuinely engaging for children. The initiative reflects the partners' collective belief that early exposure to health care careers can strengthen individual futures and the health care workforce. "We are excited about what this storefront represents - not only for the children who will experience it, but for the future of pediatric care in our region," said Matt Buelow, MD, Medical Director of the Northeast Region for Children's Wisconsin and Medical Director for Connected for Kids. "As a physician, I know how important it is to inspire young people to consider this field. And as a father, I have seen firsthand how meaningful and lasting this kind of experience can be. We are proud to be part of something that helps make that connection real." For Emplify Health by Bellin, the Connected for Kids storefront reflects the organization's deep commitment to the communities it serves - and to nurturing the curiosity and potential of every young person in them. "Bringing this storefront to life required thoughtful collaboration and a dedication to creating something meaningful for kiddos," said Jamie Hagenow-Sekora, Pediatrics Specialties and Primary Care Pediatrics and Adolescent Team Leader at Emplify Health by Bellin. "We worked with our Connected for Kids partners and the Junior Achievement team to ensure every element of this experience resonates with students. We believe that when kids understand health care, they are better equipped to take ownership of their own well-being - and maybe even get inspired to become the caregivers of tomorrow." ThedaCare leaders echo that sense of shared purpose and community investment. "The Connected for Kids partnership is a testament to what we can accomplish when health care organizations prioritize collaboration over competition," said Mark Cockley, MD, Senior Vice President of Population Health for the North Region of Froedtert ThedaCare. "We share a vision of a healthier, more vibrant region where people in our communities are inspired to live their unique, best life - and we know that vision begins with investing in our children. This storefront is one more way we are living that commitment every day." The ribbon-cutting ceremony brought together organizational leadership, community representatives and students who participate in the JA programs. Following the ribbon cutting, attendees had the opportunity to experience the Connected for Kids storefront and learn more about what students encounter during their BizTown and Finance Park visits. Children's Wisconsin Media Relations Children's Wisconsin knows kids need healthy families and strong communities to live well. That's why Children's Wisconsin develop services and community partnerships designed to support children and families where they live, learn, work and play.

ThedaCare introduces da Vinci SP robotic surgery system in northeast Wisconsin. ThedaCare announced on June 26 that it is the first healthcare system in northeast and central Wisconsin to acquire the da Vinci SP (Single Port) robotic surgery system. The investment, made possible by donations from the ThedaCare Family of Foundations and ThedaCare Foundation-Neenah, aims to expand access to minimally invasive surgical procedures for patients across the region. Teams at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah performed their first surgeries with the new technology earlier this month. The da Vinci SP, developed by Intuitive, allows surgeons to conduct complex procedures - including breast, urology, and head and neck surgeries - through a single small incision. Kellie Diedrick, senior vice president of the ThedaCare South Market, said, "Our investment in the da Vinci SP is ultimately about what matters most - our patients. We are committed to bringing the latest advancements in care to the communities we serve. It's one more way we are ensuring that patients and families have access to advanced, high-quality care close to home, when they need it most." Dr. Cynthia Geocaris, medical director for Surgical Robotics at ThedaCare, said that technological advancements like this enable teams "to deliver more innovative, precise treatments for our patients while ensuring we stay at the leading edge of medical progress." She explained that robotic-assisted technology enhances surgeon precision through minimally invasive procedures with smaller instruments and greater dexterity: "These benefits mean that we can help patients get back to work or their activities faster," she said. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved a robotic nipple-sparing mastectomy procedure using this technology. Dr. Geocaris said this approach can reduce visible scarring while maintaining focus on cancer treatment: "By enabling nipple-sparing mastectomy through a hidden incision, the robotic system can help reduce visible scarring and support improved reconstructive outcomes." Diedrick added that such techniques may also help preserve body image during breast cancer treatment. Since investing in its first da Vinci robot in 2007, ThedaCare has expanded its robotics program across several hospitals including Appleton - a main campus offering integrated specialty departments for patient care - and others throughout central Wisconsin. According to the official website, ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton contributes to community well-being through health assessments; features nearly 150 acute care beds; employs over 1,200 staff members alongside more than 750 providers; provides orthopedic care as well as cardiovascular services; appears on Newsweek's list of best hospitals; and operates as part of nonprofit health system ThedaCare. Barbara Beuscher of ThedaCare Family of Foundations thanked donors whose contributions enabled this acquisition: "We are deeply grateful for the generosity of our donors...It is truly a transformational time at ThedaCare."

ThedaCare completes Graduate Medical Education Simulation Lab. May 30, 2026 | 2:00 PM ThedaCare has unveiled its new Simulation Lab. This new lab is a cutting-edge training environment designed to support its Graduate Medical Education (GME) program and enhance clinical education. ThedaCare is one of the first health systems in northeast and central Wisconsin to offer an accredited GME program. The program was created to help address physician shortages across Wisconsin, particularly in rural and underserved areas. The ThedaCare Internal Medicine Residency program received accreditation in September 2025 and will welcome the first residents on July 1st.