Photos, memorabilia of New London hospital
A history wall has been completed at ThedaCare Medical Center-New London thanks to donors and the ThedaCare Family of Foundations.
The New London History Wall features photos, documents and memorabilia from the hospital.
For more than 90 years, caregivers in New London have been making health care accessible for those in nearby communities.
The original New London Community Hospital of the 1920s now serves as ThedaCare Medical Center and delivers a wide range of services and specialties to those living in Outagamie and Waupaca counties.
Services include surgery and chemotherapy centers, as well as routine and emergency care.
The idea for the New London History Wall was sparked by long-time team member, New London native and donor to the project, Dr. Donn Fuhrmann.
The project was inspired after Fuhrmann saw a similar history wall at ThedaCare Medical Center-Waupaca.
“The New London History Wall is very special to me because I’ve lived it for the last 42 years,” said Fuhrmann, family medicine physician at ThedaCare Physicians-New London. “I wanted to find a way to showcase the incredible care that has been provided by so many over the years in the New London area.”
A multi-departmental committee of past and current employees, along with support from the ThedaCare Family of Foundations, began planning and preparing the History Wall. The committee put out a call to the public, asking residents to share copies of photos, newspaper clippings and other pieces of medical history to include in the project.
Future growth anticipated
Organizers said they expect to see the history wall continue to grow with new additions as community members come forward with more memorabilia, and as advancements in the medical community take place.
“There is a great collection of wonderful artifacts for people to see,” said Courtney Weiland, Vice president of philanthropy with the ThedaCare Family of Foundations. “While the New London History Wall will help preserve health care history, it can also highlight the incredible growth and quality of care in rural communities.”
“We started out as a small hospital and grew into a center where patients and families can receive excellent care, close to home,” said Fuhrmann. “The New London History Wall is a powerful, visual tool to educate the public and showcase the many health care changes and technological improvements that have taken place over the last 100 years in our community.”
The History Wall can be found in the hallway between the primary care clinic and the hospital.
During the current increase of COVID-19 cases in the community, ThedaCare asks visitors to follow current restrictions and safety precautions in place at ThedaCare facilities. For current visitor restrictions, visit thedacarecovid19.org/.