Aspirus Wausau Hospital

“I recently had surgery and, unfortunately, didn’t react well to the anesthesia. Since this was my first real surgical experience, I didn’t know what to expect. I ended up feeling very nauseous and unwell, and spent almost five hours in recovery before I could go home. While I was in recovery, three different nurses took care of me, and I can’t say enough good things about them. Each one was truly kind, patient, and caring. They helped me walk when I felt weak, helped me try to use the restroom before I left, managed my pain and nausea, and always made sure I had something to drink. Even though recovery is probably a busy place, they never made me feel like a burden or rushed. I work behind the scenes in health care (lab), and experiences like this make me appreciate nurses even more. The care they give takes real strength, skill, and heart, something I know I couldn’t do myself. I’m so grateful for the professionalism and kindness they showed me when I was at my most vulnerable. Thank you for making a tough recovery much easier.”

— Kelly Michalski

“I never would have chosen to stay at Wausau Hospital, located four hours from my home in Minnesota. However, that choice was made for me when I caught an edge while skiing at Granite Peak and suffered a complex tibial plateau fracture (one day after Lindsey Vonn suffered a similar fracture — hers more severe — at the same spot on the same leg during the Winter Olympics). With an Indy Ski Pass that offers access to over 250 resorts, I had many options of where to ski that week. Spending 17 combined days in a hospital and rehab unit was not high on my list of possibilities. Yet, looking back, I’m grateful the accident happened in Wausau. Although I had the option at several points to be transported closer to home, the fracture was extremely painful and would have required additional stabilization procedures for the long ride (for context, search for images of Lindsey Vonn’s external fixator). Instead, I found myself in the care of one of the best and most personable orthopedic surgeons in the Midwest, Dr. Faruk Abuzzahab. During the 11 days I spent in the hospital, the staff — nurses, CNAs, hospitalists, and even food service team members — were consistently friendly, attentive, and professional. A special thank you to Sam W., who was my nurse for much of my stay and provided exceptional care. Following surgery, I transitioned to six days of acute rehab in the Wausau Hospital Rehab Unit. There, I encountered the same level of professionalism and warmth. Dr. Tuttle, my night nurse Kaitlyn, the CNAs, and the PT and OT teams worked seamlessly together and treated me with both skill and respect. The team dynamic was impressive, and it clearly translated into excellent patient care. If I could change anything, I would have skipped that “just one more run” after three long days of skiing. But since I cannot, I can at least say this: for those who live in or near Wausau, cherish your local hospital. You are fortunate to have such high-quality care close to home.”

— Lance Lund

“Came in Friday for kidney stone pain. 6mm stone they knew I would not pass it but yet sent me home, a few medications and to follow up with Urology on Monday. Over the weekend we used the medications as followed, would have never noticed I was actually getting worse. Im supposed to trust Drs that i follow instructions and ill get better. Fast forward to Monday 4am could not stand or walk without being in constant pain. Husband brings me to the ER told them its a kidney stone. Let's question the patient if they are sure even though this is what I came in for exactly on friday. Blood test and urine sample come back, shocker kidney stone but wait now we have a UTI, bacterial infection in my kidney, kidney is swollen and could have gone septic if I would not have came in sooner. Get a stent surgery done to find out now my only fertility window due to PCOS can not even be used. Thank you aspirus for the loving care! Causing more stress for me than I needed. Oh, also 1st picture is blood that was on my bed that no one noticed until my husband said something. Talk about catching HIV or something 2nd is my IV that I was disconnected from for an hour because everyone was "short staffed" yet all in the nurses stations on their phones or petting a dog someone brought in. I work healthcare too I understand short staffed too. Do better be better.”

— Erica Allan