A New Chapter in Caring for Southwest Wisconsin

The long history of healthcare in southwest Wisconsin – because it’s vital to the lives of everyone in the region – is in many ways a story shared by all. And since the first hospital was built in Platteville in 1846, that history has been one of growth and service. This year, over the summer months and through the remainder of 2020, Southwest Health in Platteville will be writing an exciting new chapter in the age old chronicles of care, one that includes construction of 26,000 square feet of modern new clinic facilities, a new joint venture in senior care, and the addition of an array of new professional Medical Staff. Each of these advancements will simultaneously improve and help safeguard the area’s access to high quality healthcare.

“Healthcare has a remarkable history here in southwest Wisconsin,” says Southwest Health CEO Dan Rohrbach. “We are proud of where we’ve been and who we’ve become. Our efforts going forward are to ensure continued success while serving the good people of this region long into the future.”

After a delay caused by the worldwide coronavirus pandemic, the new clinic construction that was first announced in February is now getting underway and will provide much needed outpatient clinic space for health care professionals to serve their patients. The senior care venture was announced jointly just last month between Southwest Health, Marquardt Management Services of Watertown, Wisconsin and the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, Wisconsin and will preserve and even expand care for seniors across the region. Additionally, Southwest Health has successfully recruited and is welcoming this summer an unprecedented seven new Medical Staff practitioners.

Because Southwest Health continues to grow and serve more people, their Board of Directors and Administration worked together to assemble detailed projections of future needs for health care in all service lines for residents across southwest Wisconsin. “We looked out five years, ten years, and beyond, and the math is clear,” says Southwest Health CEO Dan Rohrbach. “We need more space now and will certainly need more in the next several years to continue meeting community needs into the future.”

The expansion of clinic space at Southwest Health is a continuation of service improvements and expansions. The modern new spaces will accommodate a growing professional Medical Staff to care for patients.

And that’s why this month Southwest Health breaks ground on yet another major expansion to its hospital campus in Platteville. The construction project will add 26,000 square feet of ultra-modern and patient-friendly spaces, allowing some services to move into larger spaces and accommodating increases in demand for a variety of primary care and specialty services. The Southwest Health Board anticipates this new infrastructure development will require an $8.5 million investment which will allow the health system to continue their remarkable history of growth while also allowing the region’s communities to continue to thrive.

Welcoming New Professional Medical Staff

Southwest Health continues to defy national trends in rural health care recruitment and retention by welcoming this summer seven new high caliber doctors and advanced medical practitioners, as the local health system continues to build an ever-larger, ever-stronger professional Medical Staff to serve area residents.

Ting Zhang, MD

In August, orthopedic surgeon Ting Zhang, MD, will join Dr. Lindsey and the team at the Orthopedic Institute at Southwest Health. Dr. Zhang earned her Medical Degree in 2014 from the Saint Louis University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri and recently completed an Orthopedic Surgery Residency at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics in Madison. In addition, Dr. Zhang is a highly accomplished and widely published medical researcher as well as highly competitive athlete in swimming.

Melissa Carr, MD, OB/GYN

Also arriving in August and joining the team at the Women’s Center at Southwest Health is obstetrician and gynecologist Melissa Carr, MD, OB/GYN. She earned her Medical Degree from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison, and completed her residency in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia where she is currently serving as Chief Re

sident. Dr. Carr is also the recipient of various awards and recognitions, including Outstanding Minimally Invasive Surgery Resident by the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons. Dr. Carr is the daughter of family physician Dr. Kevin Carr and Joy Carr.

Zach Droezler, MD

Family physician Zach Droeszler, MD, is a native of Hazel Green, Wisconsin, who will begin his practice in August with the team at the Platteville Clinic at Southwest Health. Dr. Droeszler earned his Medical Degree from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison, and performed his residency at the University of Wisconsin – Madison Family Residency Program in Baraboo, Wisconsin. He’s received several awards, including the Dr. Paul R. and Alice P. Bishop Memorial Award recognizing compassion and work ethic as well as the Rooted in Our Mission Physician Award for modeling compassion, excellence, respect, stewardship, and community.

Katie Ponsler, PA-C

Originally from Dodgeville, Wisconsin, physician assistant Katherine Ponsler, PA-C, recently joined the family medicine team at the Platteville Clinic at Southwest Health. Having begun her career in medical imaging, Ms. Ponsler first earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology, graduating with highest honors from the University of Wisconsin in LaCrosse, Wisconsin as well as earning Nuclear Medicine Certification from the Mayo School of Health Sciences in Rochester, Minnesota. She then attended the University of Wisconsin – Madison where she earned her Master of Physician Assistant Studies Degree, receiving special recognition for academic excellence. Since graduating, she’s gained experience in practicing with the Dean Medical Group in the Dodgeville, Mineral Point, and Lands’ End Clinics. Her areas of expertise and special interest include helping patients manage chronic illnesses, pediatrics and adolescent medicine, musculoskeletal injuries, and women’s health.

Samantha Osterberger, PA-C

Samantha Osterberger, PA-C, will also join the team in August at the Orthopedic Institute at Southwest Health. Ms Osterberger earned her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin. She offers significant experience in disciplines across the field of medicine, including clinical work at hospitals large and small, and providing sideline medical support for a high schools during the football season.

The newest member of Southwest Health’s Surgical Anesthetist Team is Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Brittany Lynne, CRNA. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, Ms. Lynne went on to earn her Master of Nurse Anesthesia Degree from the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences in Rochester, Minnesota. Since that time, she’s served in surgical centers gaining experience from several high quality institutions, including Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison.

“We’re here to care for our communities and create a healthier southwest Wisconsin,” says CEO Dan Rohrbach. “The top-notch professionals we’re bringing to our area are joining a highly skilled and experienced team dedicated to excellence. The strength of our staff is unprecedented, and when you’re really good at what you do, that attracts others who value that level of excellence.”