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Home About Us B2B Club Breaking News Contact Donate Events / Programs Feedback Ideas Incubator Industry Clusters Links / Resources Progess Funds Progress Teams Public Art / Murals Publications		Breaking News June 11, 2007 - Mural depicts medical care history By: Dave Mueller, for the Daily Tribune If a strong indicator of a community's health is the value placed on maintaining and enhancing resources, the history of local medical care tells us that all is alive and well in South Wood County. The seventh and newest offering in the Historical Murals Walk developed by the Public Art Group of the Community Progress Initiative is on the U.S. post office property at the corner of Third Street South and East Grand Avenue in Wisconsin Rapids. Championed by retired nurse Edna Bach, the 32-foot-wide mural honors the doctors and nurses who have created a successful 150-year history of local medical care. Please make a visit to the mural and take in the significant local dates, events and health care flavor. Hidden behind the pictures, however, is a significant story of progress-oriented visionaries who shaped the growth of our community's medical care. For example, when lack of funds forced a physician-owned hospital to close in 1911, community leaders refused to let their vision of high-quality local health care fade away. Led by George Mead I, they formed the Riverview Hospital Association, purchased the hospital and ensured the future of medical care in our community. Every improvement since has happened because of community support. Fund drives spurred construction of a two-story brick hospital in 1917, a major 1942 addition, a new Riverview Hospital in 1967 and numerous additions to the current campus. One scene shows the award-winning Riverview Hospital Auxiliary, which was founded in 1954 and remains one of the most vibrant in the state from both volunteer and fundraising standpoints. Now in its 95th year, Riverview Hospital Association remains independent, community-owned and operated. Forward-thinking board members and administrators have forged an unprecedented expansion of medical services and diagnostic technology in the last 20 years. Meanwhile, cooperative relationships with regional health care providers in Marshfield, Stevens Point, Wausau and Madison have fostered convenient, local access to many more health care options. Two prime examples of this are the Wisconsin Rapids Dialysis Unit, operated on the Riverview campus by Ministry Health Care, and UW Cancer Center Riverview, a collaboration with the University of Wisconsin and until recently with Aspirus. Fully funded by the community through a Riverview Health Care Foundation capital campaign, the cancer center is the only one in central Wisconsin with the world's most effective cancer-fighting technology, TomoTherapy. Hope now is offered to local cancer patients at Riverview that once was available only in major university-based research centers. Indeed, all is alive and well with health care in South Wood County, a tribute to progress-minded civic leaders and thousands of everyday people who have contributed their time, talents and resources to make our community the best it can possibly be. Wanted: New murals and mural artists. For more information, please go to www.progressinitiative.com, and click on Public Art/Murals. Dave Mueller is director of community relations, Riverview Hospital Association.
		Copyright © 2005, Community Progress Initiative, South Wood County & Town of Rome