News

From Becker’s Payer Issues — Network Health, a Wisconsin-based insurer owned by Froedtert ThedaCare Health, grew 37% during this past annual enrollment period to 126,000 total Medicare Advantage members, its second consecutive year of record growth. The plan also posted a 98% member retention rate.

From Becker’s Payer Issues — Medicare Advantage enrollment grew less than 1% during this past annual enrollment period, but beneath that modest topline number was a dramatic reshuffling as national payers shed hundreds of thousands of members while smaller and regional plans posted some of the largest enrollment gains in their histories. In interviews with Becker’s, leaders at five of those plans independently pointed to the same explanation for their success: stability. Coreen Dicus-Johnson, president and CEO of Network Health, said Network Health, part of Froedtert ThedaCare, has maintained five-star customer service ratings for five consecutive years and did not cut broker commissions, a move many competitors made to manage costs.

From WTMJ 4 — The Milwaukee Bucks Foundation and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin health network are working along with its Executive Investor Committee to commit $900k towards three local organizations who are improving the health impact in Wisconsin. The investment will be made through a multi-partner philanthropic program, D.E.E.R. (Driving Equity, Empowerment and Resources) Accelerator.

From Insight on Business — The Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce will offer a CEO breakfast on May 5, at the Fox Club in Fox Cities Stadium. Imran Andrabi, MD, president and CEO, Froedtert ThedaCare, will be a member of a panel that will share how each navigated pivotal moments, overcame challenges and developed the skills that advanced into leadership roles.

From the International Parking & Mobility Institute — Patients and visitors to Froedtert Hospital will find parking easier and more pleasant with the grand opening of the new six-level, 2274-space Froedtert Hospital Parking – Blue structure. The new garage, which boasts a glass-enclosed design and modern parking management technology, elevates the parking experience while introducing a new architectural landmark at Froedtert Hospital.

From Spectrum News 1 — Larry Malmstadt is enjoying his retirement. He’s able to spend more time with family and focus on his hobby playing the drums. He said he’s noticed his stamina has improved after prioritizing his health through diet and exercise over the past several years. Malmstadt began taking a GLP-1 under the guidance of Maya Safarvoa, MD, Froedtert & MCW cardiologist. Dr. Safarvoa said when you lower your BMI by 10-15%, you’re lowering your risk for cardiovascular disease.

From 1330 and 101.5 WHBL — Lakeshore College president Paul Carlsen, PhD, talked about the Center for Health Care Excellence and the support that Lakeshore College receives from its health care providers in Manitowoc and Sheboygan counties, including financial commitments from the Froedtert & MCW health network.

From Spectrum News 1 — Many are touched by cancer, whether it be personal or a diagnosis of a family member, friend or colleague. Lisa Wolf, MD, Froedtert & MCW family medicine physician, provided some lifestyle and clinical habits to reduce cancer risk.

From CBS 58 — A new drug is helping surgeons see cancer that once went undetected, lighting up tumors in real time during surgery. Mallory Hunt, MD, Froedtert & MCW cardiothoracic surgeon, is using Cytalux, a fluorescent imaging agent designed to highlight cancer cells during procedures. “It’s an agent that allows us to eliminate cancer cells during surgery,” Dr. Hunt said.

From the Healthcare Financial Management Association — Patients today are responsible for a growing share of healthcare costs due to rising deductibles and co-insurance. Jon Neikirk, executive director, revenue cycle, with Froedtert ThedaCare was part of a Healthcare Financial Management Association roundtable that discussed emerging solutions and strategies on the patient pay side of the revenue cycle, emphasizing the human side of billing.

From Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service — The Froedtert & MCW health network, along with the Milwaukee Fire Department, held a Hands-Only CPR, Stop the Bleed and Narcan Training event on Saturday, Feb. 21, at Gee's Clippers at 2200 N. Martin Luther King Drive, Milwaukee.

From CBS 58 — Laura Dwyer will represent Team USA with her teammate Steve Emt, from Deforest, in mixed doubles wheelchair curling. Her former physical and occupational therapy team from Froedtert Hospital held a sendoff celebration. Dwyer began using a wheelchair in 2012 after an accident left her partially paralyzed. She spent that summer at Froedtert Hospital learning how to use her wheelchair. "She's already won. In my eyes, she's already won," said Toni Gillette, Froedtert & MCW occupational therapist. "Laura's journey is huge, it's huge." This story was also covered by FOX 6 and WTMJ 4.

From the Washington County Insider — With a “never quit” attitude, the 2025 United Way of Washington County Emerging Leaders Alumni chair team closed out the 2025 Campaign $42 ahead of last year’s campaign, for a grand total of $1,902,294. Maggie Jensen, Froedtert ThedaCare, was part of the team that chaired the 2025 campaign.

From Fox 6 — Michele Stack, Froedtert & MCW dietitian, shared a few recipes featured in the Care Kitchen series. These easy-to-follow recipes are designed to support pancreatic cancer patients and survivors.

From Medical Construction and Design — The Center for Health Design has announced the winners of its 2026 Touchstone Awards. The Froedtert Hospital Emergency Department expansion project was recognized as a 2026 Gold Touchstone winner. Work is judged on its own merit and how well it meets the Touchstone criteria as determined by an expert jury and based on the applicant’s achievement in successfully addressing the three touchstones of the evidence-based design process — collaboration, evaluation and sharing.

From Spectrum News 1 — February is designated as American Heart Month to raise awareness about cardiovascular health. Jacquelyn Kulinski, MD, Froedtert & MCW cardiologist, shared the crucial role of cholesterol in building cells and digesting fatty foods.

From WPR — Kenya Brown’s career with the Froedtert & MCW health network began when she was a junior at Carmen High School of Science and Technology. Brown took a series of college-level health care classes, earning both high school and college credits through a dual enrollment program. When she graduated, Brown was offered a full-time position at Froedtert Hospital, where she’s now in a management training program.   

From Spectrum News 1 — “Scanxiety,” a term used for intense anxiety experienced before, during and after an MRI or CT scan, is a common feeling for patients. Stephanie Cheok, MD, Froedtert & MCW neurosurgeon, shared some insight with Spectrum News 1 surrounding brain scans and imaging tests.

From Becker’s Hospital Review — Matthew Partridge was appointed senior vice president of finance and treasury at Milwaukee, Wis.-based Froedtert ThedaCare Health.

From wisbusiness.com — According to a new report there are currently over 400 open clinical trials in Wisconsin. Open clinical trials in the state, including those at the Froedtert & MCW health network, cover a broad range of conditions, including Alzheimer’s and dementia, cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, autoimmune disorders, diabetes, and over 200 trials for cancer. 

From Spectrum News 1 — Wisconsin faces an urgent organ shortage, with over 1,500 residents currently on transplant waiting lists, predominantly for kidneys, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health. Leigh Anne Mixon, vice president, Froedtert & MCW Transplant Program, talked about living kidney donation and the evaluation process. Mixon donated a kidney in 2024.