At our February 19th meeting, the Marshfield Rotary Club was honored to host Teri Wilczek, Chief Development Officer for the Marshfield Sanford Health Foundation. In addition to her vital work at the hospital, Teri is a dedicated leader within our own ranks, having served as a Rotary member for 26 years. During her presentation, she shared an inspiring vision for the future of neonatal care in our region.
For over 50 years, the Marshfield Children’s Hospital NICU has been a lifeline for high-risk infants across rural Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. While its lifesaving mission remains steadfast, the needs of its tiniest patients and their families have evolved significantly.
The current NICU utilizes a "pod model," where multiple infants share the same space. While functional, this environment can increase stress for babies, families, and caregivers alike. Currently, families face limited privacy and no overnight stays with their infants. There is also a rising demand for the NICU and admission from the region is increasing.
