Caring Relationships - Gundersen Health System

appenings
Gundersen
Lutheran Medical Foundation
at work in the community
Our Partners in Philanthropy: The Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation
In 1983, the Fred C. and
Katherine B. Andersen Foundation
made its first unrestricted gift in
support of medical residencies
at Gundersen Lutheran Medical
Foundation. That support has grown
and continued over 25 years, helping
to prepare new doctors for practice
in rural America, both in this
region and beyond. In recognition
of this longstanding philanthropic
relationship, Gundersen Lutheran’s
resident’s lounge is named for Earl C.
Swanson, the late executive director
of the Andersen Foundation.
Gundersen Lutheran Medical
Foundation was pleased to host a
visit from Andersen Foundation
representatives in late August, which
provided an opportunity to showcase
the outstanding achievements
in healthcare made possible through
the partnership of two world-class
organizations. “During their site
visit, we had a productive discussion
of issues of common concern,
and we highlighted our commitment
to training physicians and
other health care providers for the
rural upper Midwest,” says David H.
Chestnut, MD, Director of Medical
Education. Nearly three times as
many doctors are being trained at
Gundersen Lutheran as in 1983, and
the percentage of residency graduates
that remain in the upper Midwest to
serve patients exceeds 50 percent.
Map top right: Gundersen Lutheran Resident
Physician Diaspora. After graduation, Gundersen
Lutheran graduates may be found in 45 states and
6 foreign countries. The destinations of 53 are
unknown. It is of particular interest that of the
total 866 graduating residents, 463 (53.5%) went
to practice in Wisconsin, Minnesota, or Iowa.
Resident Graduation Celebrates Educational Mission
June is a special time of year
at Gundersen Lutheran, when we
graduate another class of medical
residents. It is an annual reminder
of the outstanding tradition of our
medical education program, and
allows the entire organization to
reflect on the Foundation’s core
educational mission. As David H.
Chestnut, Director of Medical
Education observes, “Our graduation
ceremony is a significant family
event. Not only do the graduates’
family members attend, but so do
staff from across the entire organization
to express their support. It is a
day for recognizing the achievements
of the graduates, and it affirms them
as they begin the next phase of their
career.” In 2008, the Foundation
proudly celebrated the graduation of
29 residents, and welcomed 31 new
residents to Gundersen Lutheran.
Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation Residencies at a Glance
Residency Residents/Year 2008 Grads 2008 Incoming Current Total
General Surgery (5 year) 2 2 2 10
Internal Medicine (3 year) 8 8 9 26 (inc. chief)
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (4 year) 1 1 1 4
Podiatric Medicine & Surgery (3 year) 3 1 1 3
Transitional Year (1 year) 12 12 12 12
Pharmacy Practice (1 year) 3 3 3 3
Sports Medicine/Physical Therapy (1 year) 2 2 2 2
Minimally Invasive Bariatric Surgery
(1 year fellowship) 1 0 1 1
TOTALS 32 29 31 61
30 www.gundluth.org/foundation