News

From sfgate.com — In the past few years, stairs had become daunting, laundry baskets too heavy and walks across parking lots scary for Trenda, a 57-year-old Wisconsin woman living with severe emphysema. Thanks to modern medicine, she is breathing better and enjoying her life again. Trenda is among a growing number of patients with severe COPD/emphysema who are seeing real improvements after receiving endobronchial valves (EBVs). These small, one-way devices are placed in the most diseased part of the lung to release trapped air and help healthier parts of the lungs work more efficiently. Jonathan Kurman, MD, Trenda's doctor and the Froedtert & MCW director of interventional pulmonology, talked about today's advanced treatment options.

From TMJ4 — Froedtert West Bend Hospital opened a breast milk donation depot inside the hospital. The birth center used to only provide donations for mothers and newborns, but now they're expanding to include this new donation site to contribute to Mothers’ Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes.

From CBS 58 — Friends, family, coaches and teammates lined the halls of Froedtert hospital Sunday night as Grant Freeze prepared to give his final gift. The 16-year-old star swimmer was killed last week after a serious crash in Mequon. Just seven weeks ago, he got his driver's license and became an organ donor in the process. Those lifesaving transplants were completed on Sunday. This story was also featured in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and si.com. 

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel — Froedtert Hospital plans to open an obstetric emergency department in the spring, while also expanding its birth center. The new department will be located in what was previously Children's Wisconsin's emergency department, where the two hospitals are adjoined. Children's relocated its emergency department in 2023 to a new space built at the front of its hospital. Also, Froedtert Hospitals Birth Center, located within the neighboring Children's hospital, is also expanding. It will double the number of labor and delivery rooms, from 12 to 24, and will add a new C-section suite. This story was also featured by healthleaders.com, urbanmilwaukee.com, biztimes.com, Becker's Hospital Review, and wispolitics.com.

From KFIZ — The collaboration of medical heavy hitters Froedtert and ThedaCare continues to take shape as the new combined forces have unveiled a new visual brand identity that will unite its more than 25,000 team members, physicians and clinicians under a shared Mission and Vision for collective impact.

From seehafernews.com — Boo Bash is scheduled for Friday, October 24th, at Froedtert Holy Family Memorial Hospital on Western Avenue in Manitowoc. Susan Senglaub, the organizer of the event, says it will be a family-friendly affair, featuring a wide array of fun activities for everyone.

From Becker's Clinical Leadership — Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital, Froedtert West Bend Hospital, ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah, ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton and ThedaCare Medical Center-Berlin were among the more than 120 health systems and hospitals Vizient has recognized for their clinical quality and sustainability practices. The awards are based on Vizient’s Quality and Accountability Study, which evaluates performance improvement across more than 1,400 health care facilities. Six domains in patient care quality were measured: safety, mortality, effectiveness, efficiency, patient centeredness and variation in care. This story also appeared on AP and wisbusiness.com.

From Becker’s Hospital Review — Becker’s Hospital Review included Froedtert Community Hospital - New Berlin and Holy Family Memorial Hospital on a list of hospitals that were rated 5 stars for nurse communication in each state, according to CMS’ Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems data.

From WPR — Multiple sclerosis is a lifelong, often debilitating neurological disease. Ahmed Obeidat, MD, Froedtert & MCW neurologist, said the list of possible symptoms is vast and can range from vision difficulties and fatigue to debilitating pain. Everyone’s experience of symptoms of multiple sclerosis is unique. And although there is no cure, Dr. Obeidat said there is one treatment that everyone seems to benefit from: creating art. In his interview with “Wisconsin Today,” Dr. Obeidat explained how further research could allow for more access to the healing benefits of art and a higher quality of life for patients with multiple sclerosis.

From Spectrum News 1 — Life is somewhat back to normal for Patti Mueller. She said it's hard to believe she had brain surgery just over three months ago. Patti's surgeon, Max Krucoff, MD, a Froedtert & MCW neurosurgeon, recommended an “awake craniotomy.” This type of brain surgery allows doctors to get critical, in-the-moment feedback from the patient. Froedtert & MCW neurosurgeons perform nearly 25 of these procedures a year.

From WISN 12 — WISN 12 news and sportscast director Rob Simmons, just finished a year-long battle he never expected to be fighting at the age of 26. Katie Zellner, Froedtert Hospital physician assistant, talked with WISN 12 about Hodgkin lymphoma.

From Patch — Froedtert ThedaCare Health was included in Forbes’ 2025 ranking of America’s Best Employers By State as one of the top 60 companies in Wisconsin. The ranking was based on surveys of more 169,000 employees who work for a company of at least 500 within the United States.

Froedtert ThedaCare Health has been named to Forbes’ list of America’s Best-In-State Employers 2025. The recognition, presented in collaboration with the statistics portal and industry ranking provider, Statista, can be viewed on Forbes’ website.

From MKE Lifestyle — We can’t turn back the clock, but we can be energetic and strong at 50 and beyond. Nicole Szaniawski, RDN, CD, Froedtert & MCW dietician, was one of three local experts who shared tips to stay healthy as we age.

From Healthcare IT News — Health care admission decisions and bed placements often result in emergency department care delays that can compromise patient outcomes and have been statistically tied to increased mortality rates. Using artifical intelligence, machine learning and data analytics approaches, the Froedtert & the MCW health network optimized bed capacity and coordination between departments. By integrating the forecasting, the health system turned predictions into action to enhance patient care and overall efficiency.

From Spectrum News 1 — This summer, Rick Dettman is looking forward to wearing shorts. For the past several decades, he’s shied away from them because of his varicose veins. Dettman said his varicose veins made his legs cramp and feel very heavy. To treat the varicose veins, Mona Li, MD, Froedtert & MCW surgeon, performed different procedures, including sclerotherapy. This is when a saline solution is injected into the veins, causing them to collapse and fade. The other procedure is a phlebectomy. Dr. Li said treatment has come a long way in the past 25 years.

From TMJ4 — Nancy Storrs, who lives with emphysema, underwent a bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) procedure that has dramatically improved her quality of life — despite recent air quality conditions. Nancy once struggled to walk her dog and is now enjoying outdoor activities thanks to BLVR — a medical procedure that she said needs more publicity. Dr. Jonathan Kurman, Froedtert & MCW pulmonologist, performed the procedure for Storrs.

From Spectrum News 1 — Jonathan Kurman, MD, Froedtert & MCW pulmonologist, talked about poor air quality and how the smoke can have a big impact on those living with lung or cardiac conditions. “They have more shortness of breath than they normally would,” said Kurman. “Coughing. Decreased exertional capacity.” He encouraged those with respiratory issues to limit their outdoor exposure.

From Becker’s Hospital Review — Froedtert ThedaCare Health was included in a list of 55 health systems with strong operational metrics and solid financial positions, according to reports from credit rating agencies Fitch Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service released in 2025.