Faithful to the Foundation: 2023 Philanthropy Awards

Each year the foundation honors individuals and businesses with the Philanthropy Awards. Established in 2011 and expanded in 2018, the awards program acknowledges and thanks special people and organizations whose generosity advances the mission of the foundation.

Philanthropy Excellence Award - Dianne Johnson

The Philanthropy Excellence Award is given to an individual or family who has demonstrated a consistent and exceptional level of generosity through volunteerism and donations. Their commitment to the hospital and foundation has improved the quality of life for people across the community and strengthens relationships between the hospital and other community partners. This year, we are pleased to award this recognition to Dianne Johnson.

Dianne was born and raised in West Bend, and after graduating from West Bend High School, she embarked on a career with a local travel agency. The job was much different than the family business, Johnson School Bus Service. The company was started by her father Aaron Johnson in 1942 when he converted a milk truck and two logging trucks into West Bend’s first school buses. He contracted directly with families (mostly farmers) to transport their children to school.

The bus company expanded to additional communities and contracted directly with school districts.

In the 1960s, Dianne’s brother Chuck asked if she would like to lead the Menomonee Falls office. Driven by her values of honesty, trust, family and friends, Dianne excelled in the business and spent her career providing and ensuring safe rides to and from school.

As the operator of a local school bus company, Dianne says, “It only seemed fitting that some of our community dollars went to the hospital.”

The well-known bus company was run by three Dianne and friends at a Spring Splendor Gala. generations of the Johnson family until its sale to Landmark Student Transportation in 2019. As a business leader, Dianne became heavily involved with the Menomonee Falls community, serving on the Foundation Board of Directors from 1993 to 2019.

When asked about volunteerism and the desire to help the community, she simply states, “When you were asked to do something, you just did it. You didn’t even think of saying ‘no’.”

Dianne and her late husband Paul have generously supported the hospital for over 30 years. Her first gift supported the inaugural Spring Splendor Gala in 1990 and she continues to annually sponsor this major fundraising event. Over the years, Paul and Dianne attended many galas with friends.

Dianne passionately supports the Community Outreach Health Clinic, located at Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital, where patients without insurance receive health care services. She witnessed firsthand the struggles many of her part-time employees faced accessing health care without insurance.

“Without the clinic, families may not receive the adequate health care they need,” she says.

Dianne enjoys time in Florida, shopping, playing cards and attending art auctions.  

Outstanding Partner Award- von Briesen & Roper, s.c.

The Outstanding Community Partner Award is given to an organization or community partner who significantly improves the quality of life for the patients cared for at Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital as a result of consistent financial support and involvement with the foundation through events and initiatives. This year, we are pleased to award this recognition to von Briesen & Roper, s.c.

A Milwaukee-based law firm since 1904, von Briesen attorneys are known in the community as leaders who possess the desire and commitment to make a difference and are passionate about giving back.

von Briesen & Roper, s.c. believes a healthy population is vital for a healthy community, which is the number one reason they are proud to support numerous health care initiatives and organizations throughout Wisconsin.

The firm supports dozens of organizations throughout Wisconsin Taking part in the Golf Classic is from left Jeff Marks, Susan Lovern and Paul Marquardt. and Illinois, ranging from health care and the arts to humane societies and social service agencies. In addition, many employees volunteer time and talent at the grassroots level to numerous charities and organizations. Their mantra is “do well by doing good.”

For the last 34 years, von Briesen has supported Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital Foundation with nearly $125,000.

Since the foundation was established in 1989, von Briesen has never missed a Spring Splendor Gala or Golf Classic. Supporting these events has allowed von Briesen to impact numerous areas across the hospital, including the Cancer Center, Heart and Vascular Services, the Emergency Department and Surgery Services.

“The foundation is a critical piece of why Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital is able to provide access to quality health care, emergency response and overall community wellness,” says von Briesen President and CEO Susan Lovern. “We are proud to play a small role in these big initiatives.”

And advice she shares with others about the importance of giving back and making a difference? “Find and identify what you are passionate about as an organization, a team or an individual and then jump in with both feet,” Susan offers. 

Stellar Staff Award - Gregg Guetzke

The Stellar Staff Award is given to a hospital staff member who has demonstrated consistency in generosity through volunteerism and giving. The recipient significantly improves the quality of life for those at Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital and throughout the community by motivating others to be generous. This year, we are pleased to award this recognition to Gregg Guetzke.

Gregg Guetzke joined then-Community Memorial Hospital as a supply chain clerk in September 1985 after graduating high school in Menomonee Falls and at the encouragement of his dad Richard Guetzke.

“The hospital was close to home and had a good reputation,” he recalls.

Today, he leads that department as a site supervisor.

Gregg’s favorite part of the hospital is its commitment to provide high quality services to Menomonee Falls and the surrounding communities.

“I support supply needs across the hospital,” he says. “We’ve adapted to a lot of changes from expansion projects to service changes which has created a lot of projects over the years,” he says. 

"I’ve grown in my leadership from a technician to group leader to coordinator and now a supervisor.”  

Gregg has supported the foundation for 33 consecutive years, mostly through the annual Staff Giving Campaign designating his support to the Community Outreach Health Clinic, Patient Assistance Funds, Cancer Center, the hospital’s greatest needs fund and more. He also volunteers for foundation events and serves as a captain for the Staff Giving Campaign, serving as an ambassador for the foundation.

When asked what inspires his generosity, Gregg says, “Many of my family members have used the hospital over the years. It means a lot to me that the hospital continues to provide care utilizing advanced medical practices and technology.”

Gregg credits his father Richard Guetzke for teaching him the importance of helping and giving back.

“I’ve also been surrounded by strong leadership who have taught me that giving back makes for strong support in the department,” he says.

In addition, the hospital holds a special place for Gregg as it’s where he met his wife Debora. He’s also a stepdad to two daughters, Kellie and Katie, and a grandpa to Nicolas. Outside of work, Gregg enjoys the outdoors, rooting for all Wisconsin sports teams and traveling.