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Affinity names new president of St. Elizabeth Hospital

Travis Andersen's goal is to ‘continue providing world-class medical care to Fox Cities’

10 / 05 / 2007

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APPLETON, Wis. – Travis Andersen, the current president of Calumet Medical Center, has been named president of St. Elizabeth Hospital, effective, Oct. 28. Andersen replaces Robert Turner, who left in August to become chief executive officer of Wyoming Medical Center in Casper.

Andersen, an Appleton resident, becomes the 18^th administrator for St. Elizabeth Hospital, which was founded in 1899. St. Elizabeth’s steep history of quality services and compassionate care is what attracted Andersen to the position.

“I believe the history of St. Elizabeth Hospital is a reflection of the Fox Cities—always giving back,” Andersen says. “Clearly, we are the health care leader in many programs and services and we will continue to build on that. At the same time, this hospital is the safety net for many individuals who have difficulty paying for health care, and I’m proud that we continue to live out this aspect of our mission that was formed more than 100 years ago.”

As president of Chilton’s 25-bed critical access hospital, Andersen:

• Gained approval for and oversaw a renovation to the hospital’s emergency, registration and radiology departments;
• Recruited gynecology, physiatry, nephrology and urology services;
• Initiated the development of an orthopaedics and sports medicine program;
• Created an after-hours and weekend walk-in clinic;
• Guaranteed funding for, and established a radiation oncology transportation van that allows Chilton area cancer patients receive daily radiation treatments in Appleton without worrying about a daily 60-mile commute;
• Implemented digital radiology;
• Introduced an electronic retail pharmacy where patients can purchase basic, acute-care drugs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

“Travis has demonstrated success as a true leader, both in day-to-day operations of the hospital and in strategic thinking and planning,” said Daniel E. Neufelder, president and chief executive officer of Affinity Health System. “He has implemented a number of new programs and services while ensuring quality of care, customer service and financial performance for Calumet Medical Center and Affinity Health System. I am very excited that he will be taking over the leadership of St. Elizabeth Hospital.”

Before becoming president of Calumet Medical Center in 2005, Andersen was the director of Business Development for Affinity Health System. In this role, Andersen developed relationships with UW Health in Madison to bring specialized pediatric and cancer care to St. Elizabeth Hospital and Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh. He began his Affinity career in 2001.

Andersen will continue to lead the cancer program for Affinity Health System, which he has done for more than one year.

A native of Wilton, Iowa, Andersen received his bachelor’s degree in psychology and German from Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa, and his master’s degree in hospital and health administration from the University of Iowa, Iowa City. He is still active at the University of Iowa as an adjunct faculty and board member in the health administration program.

Andersen has been very active, both in the Appleton and Chilton communities. He currently serves on the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce Leadership Fox Cities Steering Committee. And Andersen says he will continue to be “very involved in the community.”

Affinity is working on a transition plan and interim reporting structure for Calumet Medical Center.

St. Elizabeth Hospital, Appleton’s first hospital and a leader in providing quality health, has 352 licensed patient beds and more than 420 skilled medical staff. The hospital meets a broad variety of patient needs through general care, surgical services and numerous medical specialties including cardiology, oncology, pediatrics, emergency, intensive care and obstetrics.

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For the Editor:
Affinity Health System, a Catholic mission-oriented regional health care network, is a partnership of Ministry Health Care and Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare. Affinity Health System is the Fox Valley’s third largest employer, according to the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and is ranked 24 among the top 100 integrated health care networks nationwide (Verispan 2008). Both St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton and Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh rank among the top 1 percent among hospitals nationwide in terms of quality and efficiency, as determined by the 2007 Premier | CareScience Select practice National Quality Award. Network Health Plan has achieved Excellent accreditation status from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), the highest possible level. It is ranked 37th among the 250 rated health plans in the nation in terms of customer satisfaction and clinical performance, according to the U.S. News and World Report/NCQA Best Health Plans in America listing. Members of Affinity include Mercy Medical Center and Mercy Health Foundation, Oshkosh; St. Elizabeth Hospital and the St. Elizabeth Hospital Community Foundation, Appleton; Affinity Medical Group, a regional network of 23 family practice and specialty clinics in 13 communities; Calumet Medical Center, Chilton; Network Health Plan, Menasha; and Affinity Occupational Health.