Fox Valley Technical College joined the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) Board in recognizing ThedaCare with the Futuremaker Partner Award. The award was given to Maggie Lund, Chief Human Resources Officer of ThedaCare, and Jackie Anhalt, Chief Nursing Officer of ThedaCare, during a presentation at Fox Valley Technical College on Tuesday, Sept. 13.
The Futuremaker Partner Award is presented four times a year by the WTCS Board to recognize the unique, longstanding connections between the state’s employers and local technical colleges.
ThedaCare serves as the largest employer in Northeast Wisconsin and the third largest healthcare system in the state. Spanning 17 counties and serving more than 250,000 patients, ThedaCare was chosen for its ongoing partnership with FVTC to improve lives through skills development, workforce expansion and innovative programming.
“Fox Valley Technical College is privileged to have this partnership with ThedaCare and it is richly deserving of this award,” said FVTC President Dr. Chris Matheny. “ThedaCare is integrally involved with the college in many capacities, but most importantly, the training of our healthcare students. During the 2021-22 academic year, 270 students were placed at a ThedaCare facility for further training while completing degrees and credentials. As an organization, ThedaCare has hired nearly 140 graduates in the past three years, making it the single largest hiring partner of FVTC students.”
Additionally, 17 ThedaCare practitioners advise the college’s curriculum as members of advisory committees. The healthcare system also hosts 19 clinical or internship courses across FVTC health disciplines.
“I’m honored to present the WTCS Board’s Futuremaker Partner Award to ThedaCare,” said Rodney Pasch, WTCS Board President. “ThedaCare’s involvement with Fox Valley Technical College’s advisory committees is integral to ensuring the education their students receive matches the needs of healthcare providers. Additionally, ThedaCare provides its employees with ongoing professional development through FVTC, enhancing their education and positively impacting patient care throughout the region. The WTCS Board appreciates the strong relationships our colleges have with employers in their communities, and this is an exemplary model of that connection.”
“ThedaCare is honored to receive this nomination from Fox Valley Technical College, and the recognition from the Wisconsin Technical College System Board,” said Maggie Lund, ThedaCare Chief Human Resources Officer. “We understand our success as an organization is supported by community partnerships such as the one with FVTC. The collaboration with the college helps provide ThedaCare team members with the knowledge, skills and development they need to continue our mission of improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve. It also provides us with a resource for top talent. We value our partnership with FVTC and are excited about the possibilities and continued collaboration with them.”
ThedaCare has also been a long-term partner of the FVTC Foundation with total donations approaching $100,000. ThedaCare invests in student scholarships, primarily through the FVTC Foundation Golf Outing and other event sponsorships. In 2016, ThedaCare made a lead gift of $25,000 to help FVTC establish a Promise Program which allows recent high school graduates from low-income households to attend FVTC tuition free.
Fox Valley Technical College, part of the Wisconsin Technical College System, offers more than 250 associate degree, technical diploma and other certificate programs. It serves more than 45,000 individuals annually — more than any other technical college in the state.
