Aurora BayCare Medical Center

10/29/2025

When Barb collapsed at her grandson’s football game, Ashlee, an athletic trainer with Aurora Health Care, immediately stepped in and performed CPR on Barb until emergency crews arrived. This was the first time Ashlee performed CPR on a person rather than a mannequin.

Barb was then transported to Aurora BayCare Medical Center and underwent surgery with Dr. Luke Chong, an electrophysiologist. Barb received an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator to help regulate any abnormalities in her heart’s rhythm.

Today, Barb is doing well and is grateful for our team of experts.

Read more on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter:

According into American Heart Association, about 436,000 people in the U.S. die from cardiac arrest. Only about 40% get the immediate help they need.

10/29/2025

Mike had lingering shoulder pain for several years from a previous injury. Having recently undergone a double hip replacement, he was sure this pain would also require surgery. Following his hip surgery, he underwent physical therapy at Aurora BayCare Medical Center. He decided to consult with the physical therapy team to see what options he had to ease his shoulder pain and obtain his goal of being able to play catch with his future grandchildren.

Brad Sarder, physical therapist at Aurora BayCare Medical Center, was able to build a physical therapy treatment plan to get Mike's shoulder back on track, without surgery. They found a lack of range of motion and strength was causing the pain. The two worked together for several months to build that strength back up. Today, Mike can throw a ball without any pain.

Learn more about non-surgical options for injuries: https://bit.ly/478kBuU

10/27/2025

The votes are in, and it’s time to celebrate the little champions from Aurora BayCare Medical Center who brought their A-game to the Aurora Children's Health annual NICU Halloween Costume Bash! 👻

In first place, we have Miracle who enchanted her way into the spotlight in her spooky chic Wednesday Addams costume!

Coming in second place is Jayce, who channeled Gus Gus from Cinderella with adorable mouse ears and plenty of charm!

A giant round of applause for our grand prize winners and every one of our amazing participants — you’re all stars in our Halloween lineup. Wishing everyone a spooktacular and safe Halloween! 🎃🕸️🖤

10/22/2025

The Wisconsin Academy for Rural Medicine (WARM) aims to expand access to quality healthcare in rural Wisconsin communities. Through the WARM program, students studying medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison can get training at health systems with rural clinics, like Aurora BayCare Medical Center. The program helps address the current physician shortage in rural Wisconsin communities and gives students hands-on experience in a smaller environment.

A number of students who grew up in rural communities aspire to return and work in the same spaces. The WARM program equips them with the proper training that fits those community needs. Around half of the program’s graduates go on to practice in rural communities.

Learn more about Project WARM: https://bit.ly/3WROMAk

10/20/2025

TOO CUTE TO SPOOK! 🎃🕸️🖤

Parents with babies in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are taking part in a Halloween Costume Bash! We've dressed our tiniest patients in creative costumes for their first spooky season, and we need your votes in the annual Aurora Children's Health NICU Halloween Costume Contest. Our BayCare babies are counting on you to help them win!

To submit your vote(s), click on the link below and then simply "LIKE" your favorite photo (you can vote for more than one!) Check out all of the adorable costumes from hospitals across Aurora Health Care and cast your votes: https://bit.ly/4o3KvpJ

The top two photos with the most votes by October 27th at 12 p.m. noon CST will receive a prize. Wishing the best of luck to all our sweet babies in Wisconsin. To us they are ALL winners!

10/16/2025

Dr. Ryan Woods, a non-operative sports medicine physician at Aurora BayCare Medical Center, stopped at the FOX 11 Field House to talk about regenerative medicine for orthopedic conditions. Regenerative medicine is used to treat acute injuries or chronic conditions, like arthritis, tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, and other tendon injuries.

Regenerative medicine focuses on using injections made of the body’s own cells to promote healing without the use of other medicine or surgery. For patients interested in regenerative medicine, the first step is a consultation to determine if you are a good candidate.

Learn more about regenerative medicine and treatment options at Aurora BayCare: https://bit.ly/4n2Y5bu

10/14/2025

Jaime’s family history of breast cancer led to a life-changing conversation with her primary care doctor. Due to occurrences in multiple family members, her primary care doctor recommended her for the high-risk program at Aurora BayCare Medical Center. The program offers enhanced screening options, allowing patients to undergo increased screening, including yearly mammograms and biannual MRIs.

During one of her MRIs in the first year after starting the program, it was discovered that Jaime had breast cancer that was not detected during a mammogram. Due to her proactive approach and participation in the high-risk program, she received an early diagnosis and was able to start an aggressive treatment plan right away. She is currently finishing chemotherapy and will proceed to surgery.

Jaime is grateful that a simple conversation led her to being diagnosed years before she would have been directed to start undergoing mammograms.

Learn more about breast cancer diagnosis and treatment: https://bit.ly/4mkgOPu

10/10/2025

Dr. Demet Gokalp Yasar, a hematologist and oncologist at Aurora BayCare Medical Center, stopped at the FOX 11 Field House to talk about anemia. Anemia occurs when the body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen. Incredibly common, anemia affects about 30 million individuals in the United States.

The most common cause of anemia is iron deficiency, but it can be linked to other health conditions and habits, such as poor diet, chronic disease, pregnancy, or vigorous exercise. Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, and dizziness. It is important to monitor these symptoms and discuss with your doctor at regular checkups for long-term health.

Learn more about anemia at Aurora BayCare: https://bit.ly/4nJXCfo

10/08/2025

Dr. Michael Schnaubelt, an orthopedic surgeon at Aurora BayCare Medical Center, stopped at the FOX 11 Field House to talk about total joint replacement. Joint replacement is a procedure where a damaged joint is replaced with an artificial implant. The intent of joint replacement procedures is to ease pain, improve mobility and restore function.

There have been many advancements in joint replacement surgery, including less invasive techniques and long-lasting implant options, like cementless knee replacements. Recovery starts the same day as surgery and is accompanied by an individualized therapy plan.

Learn more about total joint replacement at Aurora BayCare: https://bit.ly/3WshVls

09/26/2025

Troy didn’t realize how tired and run down he truly was until he had a few bouts of passing out, including an unfortunate incident that occurred while driving. His doctors ultimately discovered the bottom portion of his heart wasn’t working properly.

He was informed that he would need a pacemaker to regulate his rhythm. As the owner of a construction business, he was worried about how a pacemaker would affect his future.

The doctors at Aurora BayCare had a solution that would minimize disruption of Troy’s life and work. They implanted a leadless pacemaker -- a small, self-contained device that has no ‘leads’ or wires connecting it to the heart. The device requires a less invasive implant process and a faster recovery.

Troy felt better almost instantly and was thankful to get back to his normal routine.

Take a heart health quiz to estimate your risk and receive guidance: https://bit.ly/415z2N9

09/23/2025

Dr. Michael Mackowski, a general and vascular surgeon at Aurora BayCare Medical Center, stopped at the FOX 11 Field House to talk about screenings for colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of cancer in the United States, with the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths.

Adults age 45 and over should have regular screenings. Colonoscopies are the gold standard of screening as the procedure not only allows for diagnosis, but providers can remove both cancerous and precancerous polyps, which can sometimes prevent the cancer from occurring at all.

Learn more about colorectal cancer screening and treatments at Aurora BayCare: https://bit.ly/46Qk4gT

09/19/2025

Dr. Natalie Luehmann, a breast surgeon at Aurora BayCare Medical Center, joined the team at the FOX 11 Field House to talk about early detection for breast cancer. Detection through regular screenings before symptoms appear usually allows for less invasive treatments, better quality of life and better outcomes for breast cancer patients.

If you’re at an average risk, start discussing screening plans with your healthcare provider before you reach 40. Those with a family history of breast cancer, may need to begin screenings sooner.

Learn more about breast cancer screening and treatments at Aurora BayCare: https://bit.ly/4mkgOPu