SSM Health - Baraboo

02/21/2026

At SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Baraboo, the power of learning has a way of bringing people together. Every two months, a group of clinicians gathers - sometimes tired after a long shift, sometimes energized by the anticipation of a good conversation - but always united by curiosity.

This is the SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Baraboo Book Club, a small but mighty community built around medical stories, shared experiences, and the joy of lifelong learning.

The book club has become more than just a place to discuss chapters and characters. For many participants, it’s an opportunity to grow professionally through SSM Health’s Clinical Ladder Program, which rewards staff for pursuing activities that deepen their knowledge and broaden their perspective.

By participating in the book club and engaging in reflective conversation, some team members can earn Clinical Ladder points - sometimes even taking a meaningful step toward a raise or advancement in their career.

A recent gathering was especially memorable.

The book on the table was Hey Doc: Memoirs of a Rural Family Physician by Dr. Jim Damos. More than a memoir, it’s a window into the heart of rural medicine - full of stories about resilience, community, and the humanity of health care.

In a lovely twist of fate, the group didn’t just talk about Dr. Damos’ journey. They got to hear it directly from him.

Thanks to his former nurse, Sue Hasse - who knew exactly how meaningful this book had been to the group - Dr. Damos joined the book club in person. What followed was an evening filled with laughter, reflection, and a roomful of caregivers leaning in to listen.

Dr. Damos shared stories of his days in rural practice, the challenges, the unpredictable moments, and the deep bonds formed with patients and colleagues. His presence brought the printed words to life in a way no discussion alone could have.

Participants described the evening as “inspiring,” “grounding,” and “a reminder of why we do what we do.”

The heartbeat of the book club is Jessica Hanger, the organizer who keeps discussions running, calendars aligned, and book selections flowing. She makes sure the group remains welcoming, enriching, and connected to the broader goals of professional development at SSM Health.

At SSM Health, learning is part of our mission. We believe our work is more than a career - it’s a calling. The Clinical Ladder Program reflects that belief by rewarding curiosity, excellence, and personal growth.
The program offers five development levels, each with defined requirements and opportunities to expand one’s skills. Eligible clinicians can earn achievement bonuses and professional development stipends, which can be used for everything from certifications to webinars to journal subscriptions.

For clinicians at SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Baraboo, the book club is one small but meaningful doorway into this journey - a chance to advance professionally while being inspired personally.

02/20/2026

SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Baraboo is hosting a community blood drive with ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals from 1:30 - 5:30 pm on Tuesday, March 3 at 707 14th Street, inside the Ringling Rooms.

Donors who last gave blood on or before January 6, 2026 are eligible
to give at this drive.

Give and get a choice of an electronic gift card, a charitable donation to the Good Giving Partner, or bonus points to the rewards store.

To schedule an appointment, use Group Code 3922 or call 800-747-5401. https://login.bloodcenter.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/141422

02/19/2026

As measles cases continue to rise across the U.S., now is a great time to double check your protection. Not sure if you’ve received the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine? You can quickly look up your vaccination history in MyChart or through the Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR): https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/immunization/wir.htm
Staying informed helps keep you—and our community—healthy. 💉✨

02/19/2026

❤️ February is Heart Month — and your heart deserves the best care you can give it.
In this short message, SSM Health interventional cardiologist Dr. Lincoln Shenje reminds us that prevention is always better than cure. His advice is simple, powerful, and something we can all start today:
🥗 Eat well. Healthy food is medicine.
🏃‍♀️ Move more. Regular exercise keeps your heart strong.
💙 Focus on habits, not just the scale. Weight loss is a result of healthy choices — not the primary goal.
Small steps each day can lead to a lifetime of stronger heart health.
Let’s make this Heart Month the start of something good. ❤️
📽️ Watch Dr. Shenje’s message below and take the first step toward protecting your heart today.

02/18/2026

Go on, laugh a little! 😆 Laughter really is great medicine - it helps lower stress hormones and artery inflammation, while boosting our mood. In this week's Time for Kids: Recipe for Health story, News 3 Now / Channel 3000's Kyreon Lee stopped by a fifth grade class at Lincoln Elementary School in Madison for some silly story telling - and plenty of laughs.

MADISON, Wis. — Laughter really is the best medicine and fifth graders at Lincoln Elementary in Madison proved it!

02/18/2026

As we begin this sacred season of Lent, we’re invited to pause, to listen, and to return with open hearts.
“If today you hear God’s voice, harden not your hearts.”
— Psalm 95:8
Ash Wednesday reminds us of where we come from, who we belong to, and the grace that continually calls us back. May today be a moment of quiet honesty, renewed intention, and deep hope.
🕊️ May we listen.
🕊️ May we soften.
🕊️ May we begin again.

02/17/2026

🌟 Ever wonder what’s happening just beyond the ice when Olympic‑level skaters compete? 🏅⛸️
Turns out, there’s an amazing medical team right there behind the scenes — like SSM Health sports medicine physician Dr. Jamil Neme and the SSM Health Sports Medicine crew — planning months ahead and staying ready for anything that might happen in those high‑pressure moments.
Take a peek into what that behind‑the‑scenes world really looks like:

SSM Health physicians and athletic trainers played a critical role behind the scenes, providing expert care for elite athletes on the road to the Winter Olympics.

02/16/2026

Laugh a little! 😄 Research shows that laughter really is great medicine—especially for your heart. A good chuckle or a big belly laugh can help lower stress hormones and reduce artery inflammation, while increasing “good” cholesterol levels and boosting our overall mood.
This simple habit supports heart health in a fun, feel‑good way. Try sharing some laughter with your family by telling jokes together or watching a funny movie—it’s good for your heart and your happiness! 💕😂

02/16/2026

Save today at SSM Health Davis Duehr Dean Eye Care’s spring optical sale! Now through March 31, get 50% off frames. Find a location near you. https://www.getcare.ssmhealth.com/locations?search=Eye+Care

02/15/2026

Questions or concerns about the parenting journey? Looking for connections with other young families? Parents and their baby(s) are invited to take part in our bimonthly conversation about the joys and trials of life with a baby up to age 2 (older children also welcome to attend).

This peer support group is designed to be informal and informative, with opportunities to ask questions, share your experiences, and make some new friends. Breastfeeding assistance available, too.

Hosts: Abby Doherty, RN, IBCLC, and Taylor Boling, RN, IBCLC
(Internationally Board-Certified Lactation Consultant), from our SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Baraboo Family Birth Suites team.

Meetings:
1st Monday of the month | 10:30 am - noon
3rd Monday of the month | 4 - 5:30 pm

(No charge to attend. No need to register. Snacks and a scale provided. No meeting on holidays.)

Location:
SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Baraboo
Crane A Meeting Room (Lower Level)

02/14/2026

💗 Happy Valentine’s Day 💗
On this day of love, we pause with grateful hearts, remembering that love’s true source is God. He teaches us how to love fully, patiently, and without condition.
Today, we celebrate love in all its beautiful forms — the love shared between spouses and partners, the bond of family, the gift of friendship, and the quiet love that carries us through every season. May our love reflect kindness, grace, and compassion, not only today but in the way we live each day.

02/13/2026

For Julie Gerner, 65, of Portage, comfort has come in many forms over the years - from the steady rhythm of a crochet hook gliding through yarn to the reassuring care she received at SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Baraboo Radiation Oncology following a breast cancer diagnosis.

Julie first picked up crocheting as a teenager, never imagining the craft would remain part of her life for nearly five decades. The skill began as a simple classroom lesson. While enrolled in a sewing class, Julie finished her project early, and her teacher offered to show her something new.

“The teacher didn’t want me just sitting around, so she asked if I wanted to learn to crochet and she taught me how,” Julie recalls. “I started out with just a granny square.”

What began as a way to pass time quickly became a lifelong source of relaxation and joy.

“It’s very relaxing,” she says. “I started out making just blankets, because that was the only stitch I knew.”

Over the years, as her skills grew, so did the meaning behind her work. Crochet became more than a hobby - it became Julie’s way of showing care, celebrating milestones, and offering comfort to others.

“There’s just something special about being able to make something for someone,” Julie says. “You’re thinking about them the whole time you’re working on it.”

Julie shares her works of art with many people - often quite unexpectedly. She works with her husband, Bruce, to create tags that read: “I’m not lost. I’m just alone. And if I made you smile, take me home.” The tags are attached to the crochet gift, which are then hidden in Julie’s community, or handed out while shopping or during travel trips.

That sense of purpose deepened during her recent radiation treatments at SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Baraboo Radiation Oncology, where she completed 16 treatments, receiving radiation five days a week. Her first treatment took place on December 29, and she rang the bell on January 22 signifying the conclusion of her radiation treatments.

Throughout the process, Julie says the care she received made an intense schedule feel manageable - and even comforting. When given the option to seek treatment farther from home, she chose to stay local.

“Doctor Stella is my oncologist, and she’s been wonderful through everything,” she shares. “If I was concerned about anything, she said we could send you to a different hospital… and I said, ‘Nope, we’re good.’”

Staying close to home mattered, especially during winter. “With the Wisconsin weathers, you don’t know what a long-distance drive is going to be every day,” Julie explains. “We’ll just take care of it here.”

She experienced minimal side effects during treatment. “I’ve never really felt any side effects,” Julie says. “One day I was more tired than normal, but other than that, everything has been wonderful.”

As she approached the end of her treatments, Julie found herself reflecting on the care she received - and thinking about how she might give something back. Naturally, her crochet hook became the answer.

Through handmade pieces, Julie found a meaningful way to say thank you - turning yarn into expressions of appreciation, patience, and gratitude. Each stitch became a quiet reflection of the kindness she experienced and the steady hands that helped guide her through treatment.

“I’ve been crocheting for so many years, and it just felt good to be able to give something back,” Julie shares. “It makes my heart dance just watching these girls receive them. Making something by hand and sharing it with the staff was my way of saying thank you for everything they did for me."

Julie recently donated a box of free crochet hearts that are displayed in the SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Baraboo Radiation Oncology department for anyone interested in taking one. “This is my contribution to paying it forward to other patients, and those who support them,” Julie shares.

For Julie, both crochet and care represent something deeply personal: community. Whether it’s the people she creates for, her loved ones supporting her at home, or caregivers who quickly felt like an extension of family, connection has been at the heart of her journey.

“We’re good,” she says simply - summing up not only her experience with care but her outlook moving forward.