SSM Health Monroe

08/07/2025

Meet Loretta Tisch, Medical Office Assistant Youth Apprentice in Dermatology & Minor Procedure! Loretta is a senior at Pecatonica High School with a strong interest in dermatology, inspired by her own experience growing up with eczema. As a Youth Apprentice in Dermatology and Minor Procedure, she enjoys observing a wide range of procedures and learning hands-on directly from the physicians she shadows. Loretta has been surprised by all the knowledge she has already gained and is excited to continue exploring this career. After high school, she plans to attend the University of Mary in North Dakota and then pursue medical school to become a dermatologist. Outside of school and work, Loretta helps on her family’s orchard and farm. Something unique about her is that she shares a birthday with both of her older sisters!

08/06/2025

We are excited to recognize Tim Rucker, Sterile Processing Technician, who is celebrating 30 years of dedicated service! Tim has served our patients in a variety of departments over the years including Materials Management, Clinic Pharmacy and Sterile Processing. Please join us in congratulating him on this milestone anniversary.

08/06/2025

At SSM Health, our core values - including community and compassion - drive our work to improve the health of our community. We are honored to partner with the Green County Development Corporation on this powerful initiative to ensure safe, healthy housing in Green County!

We are not sure where the Home Construction Cooperative would be without the contribution from SSM Health Monroe.

SSM Health Monroe Hospital donated the home on 5th Street that was renovated in the first year of the Home Construction Cooperative program.

What made SSM decide to support the program?
As part of our Community Health Needs Assessment, housing emerged as a significant concern impacting the overall health and stability of our county. Supporting the Home Construction Cooperative allowed us to contribute to a solution that extends beyond a monetary donation. By donating the house, we helped reignite a program that had long been valued in the community. This effort is also a natural extension of the “grow our own” philosophy that guides our workforce and patient care initiatives. Just as we work to keep care local, this project helps keep jobs, people, and opportunities local through skilled trades and homeownership to foster a strong, connected community.

What dreams do you have for Green County?
Our dreams for Green County are rooted in our Vision statement: Peace, hope and health for every person, family and community, especially those most in need.

We are all working towards that SSM Health Monroe, thanks for being great partners in Green County!

08/05/2025

Get to know your caregiver! Audreana Zumdahl, NP, partners with Dr. Robert Bandera to provide comprehensive, individualized care for families across generations and at every stage of life. Schedule an appointment in Freeport with her at https://www.getcare.ssmhealth.com/find-a-doctor/doctor-details/audreana-s-zumdahl-aprn-cnp.

08/04/2025

Samantha didn’t know what to think when she started getting short-of-breath last winter.

“It just happened for a while and I decided to visit my primary care provider … they noticed my liver was really enlarged,” she said. “I thought I was just gaining weight.”

Unfortunately, additional testing revealed news that no one wants to hear: cancer. Samantha was diagnosed with an extremely rare cancer with tumors in her liver that had already metastasized to her lungs. Doctors admitted her to the hospital and quickly began treatments.

She says that between her current cancer journey and a previous battle with melanoma, cancer has had a profound impact on her life. But not all of it has been bad.

“I’ve been humbled and no longer have a glass half-empty attitude,” she said. “I now enjoy the beauty of small things in life, like watching the sunset.”

Samantha knows she has a challenging journey ahead, but is grateful for the support of her family, friends and her team of SSM Health caregivers.

“I’m going to live every day like I don’t know what’s going to happen,” she said. “We should all do that.”

SSM Health offers comprehensive cancer care services in the communities we serve. Learn more about our available screenings, treatments, procedures and support services:
https://www.ssmhealth.com/services/cancer-care-support

08/03/2025

In 2024, our courier team traveled a total of 85,882 miles between 13 stops! Thank you to our eight drivers, two of which are photographed here, who go the distance to support our teams.

08/02/2025

Heart Disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. The good news is that lifestyle changes can improve one’s heart health.

Learn more about your risk for developing heart disease by utilizing a FREE SSM Health risk assessment at
https://www.ssmhealth.com/access/health-risk-assessments/heart-risk-assessment

08/01/2025

With games, tutorials, sites to share new music or art, and opportunities to learn about other cultures - the internet offers kids a place to explore, create, and connect.

In this story with News 3 Now / Channel 3000's Kyreon Lee, SSM Health child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Ashvin Sood offers parents advice on encouraging creative online play - while staying engaged with how they're experiencing the digital world.

MADISON, Wis. — News 3 Now and SSM Health’s Time for Kids: Digital Playbook campaign is continuing its effort to help families navigate the ever-changing digital world.

07/31/2025

Meet Mads Josephs, Phlebotomy Assistant Youth Apprentice in Clinic Lab! Mads is a senior at Monroe High School who has a strong desire to take care of others to help them feel their best. As a Youth Apprentice in the Clinic Lab, she gets to meet many different new people and get to know them during their short time together. Mads was surprised to learn how many different areas phlebotomy touches from inpatient to imaging and beyond. She is especially looking forward to spending time in the emergency department. After high school, Mads anticipates studying Environmental Public Health at UW - Eau Claire. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family. A fun fact about Mads is that she has visited over three-quarters of all NFL stadiums!

07/31/2025

Welcome to the newest fellows in our Emergency Medicine Fellowship Program!

07/30/2025

Unfortunately, due to weather, we are cancelling tonight's National Night Out event at Twining Park. As of right now, we do not have a "make-up" day but we'll advertise if we come up with one. We want to take this time to thank all of the agencies and non-profits that committed to attending. Please share this post so word gets around. Thanks to EVERYONE

07/29/2025

Exceptional work happens here every day! Help spotlight the extraordinary care our staff provides by nominating them for a DAISY or BEE Award.

The DAISY Award is a special award given to a nurse who demonstrates excellence. Complete a DAISY Award nomination at https://www.ssmhealth.com/access/global-forms/employee-recognition/daisy-award

The BEE Award is specifically designed to recognize non-nursing staff members who are seen Being Exceptional Every Day. Complete a BEE Award nomination at https://www.ssmhealth.com/access/global-forms/employee-recognition/bee-award-form-e