He Improved His Health Through Determination, Support From ThedaCare

Jason Calkins is a 27-year veteran of Neenah-Menasha Fire Rescue. For nearly three decades, he’s been part of first responder teams rushing to help others during emergencies. So, when his routine medical appointment uncovered serious health issues, Calkins realized it was time to treat his own body like an urgent call.

“I have a genuine love of caring for other people and being there in their time of need,” he said. “Then I found myself needing to address my own urgent needs.”

It started in August of 2025 when Calkins visited Gina Rekers of ThedaCare. She serves the City of Neenah in her role as a Nurse Practitioner with ThedaCare At Work, a customized workplace health program.

Calkins, 47, had been experiencing ear pain and went to see Rekers. When she took his vitals, a problem quickly emerged.

“We discovered he had dangerously elevated blood pressure, with a systolic number over 200,” she said. “That needed attention.”

Calkins, a captain and mechanic with the fire department, said he regularly witnesses the fallout of poorly controlled health conditions in his work. Even so, he said he was initially in denial about his own health. He declined to seek emergency care for his high blood pressure that day but agreed to return for a full physical the following week. That’s when he and Rekers uncovered more of his health issues.

More than High Blood Pressure

At Calkins’ physical, he learned he also had uncontrolled type 2 diabetes. At the same time, his weight had crept up to 460 pounds. Though that weight was spread across a 6-foot-6-inch frame, Calkins still had a body mass index of 52, which put him in the severely obese range. Then and there, he decided to make changes.

“What motivated me to commit to them was seeing the outcomes of patients that we helped through my work and knowing how serious these issues could be,” he said. “I knew I had to take better care of myself.”

Rekers prescribed medication for Calkins’ diabetes. He also wanted to understand and address the root causes of his health problems. He first set his sights on overhauling his diet.

“I always tell everyone: I was good at gaining weight and losing weight. I was never good at maintaining weight,” he said. Calkins needed an eating plan he could stick to for the long term.

“I wanted to come up with something that didn’t feel like a diet. It felt like a lifestyle change was best,” he said. “For me, an ultra-low-carb, non-processed diet seemed like something I could stick to. Now, after doing it for a couple of months, it’s probably the best decision I’ve ever made. It’s something I plan to stick to for the rest of my life.”

Similar to his eating habits, Calkins said his commitment to exercise had fluctuated over the years. When he searched for what might work for him, it didn’t take long to find an answer. It has four legs, an irresistible face, a friendly disposition and an insatiable appetite for walks. His name is Hoss, and he’s a Burmese Mountain Dog who helps motivate Calkins.

“One of the biggest changes I decided to make was instead of spending an hour on my phone or watching a TV show, I decided just to walk my dog,” Calkins said. “He’s the best workout companion you can ask for. He never complains. He’s always eager to go. We walk for one TV show an hour a day.”

Calkins often enhances his daily walks by wearing a 50-pound rucksack. He’s also incorporated weightlifting into his fitness routine.

Partner in Health

As Calkins has made positive changes for his health, he’s stayed in close consultation with Rekers, who’s only a call or MyThedaCare patient portal message away. She serves as medical expert, sounding board and cheerleader.

“I think Jason’s attitude was really … ‘It was my choices that got me into this situation. It’s going to be my choices that that get me out of it,’” Rekers said. “He took the initiative and made those lifestyle changes. I was just there for support.”

ThedaCare At Work offers a variety of workplace health solutions for employers. The program is designed to make it easier and less expensive for employees to access health care.

“I think having access to convenient care that’s really at no direct cost to the patient is why a lot of patients like Jason seek any health care at all,” Rekers said. “My patients can come see me in the middle of their workday. They don’t have to use their vacation or their PTO to see their health care provider.”

For Calkins, it’s a formula that works.

“Knowing that you have a somebody who is devoted to your care and cares about you as a person helps a lot,” he said. “Obviously, you want to do good for yourself and your family and friends, but Gina is a component of that, too.”

Calkins turned his health around in less than eight months. He lost about 145 pounds, is no longer taking medications for diabetes and cholesterol and has his blood sugar levels at normal range.

Tremendous Transformation

The results have impressed Rekers.

“The change is eye-opening,” she said. “He really did it all himself. You can’t help but to just be happy and impressed about everything he’s done.”

Calkins continues to make positive changes for himself and is even influencing his colleagues. He’s helped bring healthy cooking, eating and activity habits into his firehouse.

“The hardest part about any change – especially weight loss or health – is just to get started,” he said. “Just start today and if tomorrow is not perfect, we’ll do it again the day after. That’s the biggest part I’d like to really spread the word on.”

Calkins will become a grandfather in June. He’s awaiting that experience healthy and happy.

His daughter, Claire, is a labor and delivery nurse at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah and a soon-to-be first-time mom. His son, Cole, is following in his dad’s footsteps and becoming a firefighter. His wife, Lori, and his kids are still top priorities and now Calkins has learned to add himself to that list of priorities.

“Deciding to prioritize yourself at least a couple hours a day has been probably one of the biggest changes for me,” he said. “Usually, it’s giving to other people or giving to your kids or your family. And now for an hour or two a day, it’s, ‘give back to yourself.’”

ThedaCare offers several options for medical care. Visit Get Care Now to explore care options. And employers seeking an employee health solution are encouraged to review offerings available through ThedaCare At Work.

About ThedaCare

For more than 115 years, ThedaCare® has been improving the health and well-being of the communities it serves in northeast and central Wisconsin. The organization delivers care to more than 650,000 residents in 17 counties, and employs approximately 7,000 providers and team members at 180 points of care, including 10 hospitals. As an organization committed to being a leader in Population Health, team members are dedicated to empowering people to live their unique, best lives. ThedaCare is a not-for-profit health system with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs, as well as primary care. ThedaCare also partners with communities to understand needs, find solutions together, and encourage health awareness and action. ThedaCare is part of Froedtert ThedaCare, Wisconsin’s most comprehensive health care system.