It’s an Opportunity to Honor the Legacy of Foundress Theda Clark Peters
A snapshot of ThedaCare’s history is on display for all to see. It’s located at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah where a recent ceremony was held to unveil the hospital’s new history wall, celebrating the people and milestones that have shaped its legacy.
The wall features historic photographs, documents and memorabilia capturing pivotal moments in the evolution of ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah, from its 1909 founding by Theda Clark Peters’ estate, to its recent $100 million investment project to modernize its campus.
The history wall project, a series of elegant acrylic panels, was completed with support from donors and the ThedaCare Foundation-Neenah.
“ThedaCare, its generous donors and the Foundation are excited to present this slice of our more than 115-year history for the people in our community to admire and appreciate,” said Kellie Diedrick, Senior Vice President of the ThedaCare South Market. “It’s a striking, visual representation of ThedaCare’s reason for being – to advance the health of our communities through excellence and discovery, inspiring each person to live their unique, best life.”
Honoring ThedaCare’s Foundress
Theda Clark Peters was a philanthropist. She was the daughter of Carrie Hubbard and Kimberly-Clark co-founder, Charles B. Clark.
She cared about the health and well-being of the community. When she saw people she cared about dying, in part, because of the lack of a local hospital, it galvanized her.
When Theda Clark Peters became pregnant in 1903, she left private instructions to her brother, C.B. Clark Jr. The instructions stated that if she were to die in childbirth, a portion of her estate should be used to build a hospital and school of nursing to ensure others could receive the health care they needed.
Tragically, Theda Clark Peters died at age 32 from complications following the birth of her daughter, also named Theda. True to her instructions, a hospital and school of nursing were built so others wouldn’t suffer from a lack of local medical care.
In 1909, Theda Clark Memorial Hospital opened its doors with 25 patient beds, an operating room and a delivery room. The hospital fulfilled Theda Clark Peters’ legacy of creating a better life for the people of northeast and central Wisconsin and marked the beginning of ThedaCare’s journey to provide compassionate health care services to the region.
“Theda Clark Peter’s story resonates with people even today. She’s proof that the selfless act of one person can inspire others to act for the good of all,” said Barbara Beuscher, CFRE, Senior Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer, ThedaCare Family of Foundations. “Her legacy reminds us that we have the power to make a difference, to inspire others around us and to build something that lasts far beyond our own lifetime.”
The ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah History Wall can be found in the hallway in front of the Women’s Center. Each history wall panel highlights a key moment in ThedaCare’s history, blending archival images, compelling narratives and striking visual elements. The display is 45.5 feet wide and 8.6 feet tall.
Source of Inspiration and Pride
The idea for the history wall followed the Inspired Past; Healthier Future Modernization project at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah, Diedrick said. That project, completed in 2024, continues to help ThedaCare transform health care for all those living in the region and allows the organization to strengthen its commitment to keeping care local in the Fox Cities.
“This history wall is more than a collection of dates and milestones,” Diedrick said. “It’s a nod to ThedaCare’s history of working to provide the people in our communities the local access to high-quality health care services that they need and deserve.”
The history wall is expected to grow, Beuscher said. New additions are likely to be added as ThedaCare achieves new milestones and advancements in the medical community occur.
Today, ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah has more than 750 providers and offers, among other services, bariatric care, critical care services such as the region’s only Level II Trauma Center, a certified Comprehensive Stroke Center, obstetric emergency services, a Women’s Center and updated Family Birth Center, and provides 24-hour coverage by board-certified emergency medical physicians and specialists.
“We are proud to share this collection of historical highlights with our patients and their families, our team members, visitors and people in the surrounding community,” Beuscher said. “Each milestone commemorated in the history wall is a living tribute to Theda Clark Peters’ vision and generosity and serves as daily inspiration as we work to provide compassionate, accessible health care services to the people in and around northeast and central Wisconsin.”
Heart of a Donor Series
This article is part of a planned series featuring generous donors who support the ThedaCare Family of Foundations. Donations to the ThedaCare Family of Foundations help fund projects and programs on many levels across the system. If you know a donor, or community organization, who has a connection to the ThedaCare Family of Foundations, and believe should be featured in the “Heart of a Donor” series, please email [email protected].
To learn more about the ThedaCare Family of Foundations and the impact of donor support, please visit ThedaCare.org/Foundations.
Lynn Detterman, President of the North Region of Froedtert ThedaCare, cuts a ribbon during a ceremony announcing the unveiling of a new history wall display at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah. The event drew about 30 attendees.
Lynn Detterman, President of the North Region of Froedtert ThedaCare, cuts a ribbon during a ceremony announcing the unveiling of a new history wall display at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah. The event drew about 30 attendees.
ThedaCare recently unveiled a history wall at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah. The wall display celebrates the people and milestones that have shaped its more than 115-year history.
ThedaCare recently unveiled a history wall at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah. The wall display celebrates the people and milestones that have shaped its more than 115-year history.