SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital invites the community to celebrate a significant milestone in the hospital’s history – its 75th anniversary.
To commemorate this historic occasion, the hospital is hosting a public celebration from 10 am – 12 pm on Sunday, June 28. The event will feature refreshments in the cafeteria, as well as the unveiling of a new Agnesian HealthCare Foundation donor wall and a look at the Waupun Fine Arts display across from the gift shop.
“We’re excited to celebrate with our community the incredible history present at SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital,” according to DeAnn Thurmer, SSM Health St. Clare Hospital – Baraboo/Ripon Community Hospital/SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital president. “This gathering gives us the opportunity to look back on the remarkable history and deep community roots that shaped SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital. We’re looking forward to reminiscing about our past, while acknowledging all the wonderful services that we now offer within our own community.”
Open house participants will also be able to wish Thurmer the best in her upcoming retirement on July 1, 2026. In addition, to honor Thurmer’s legacy, participants will be able to learn more about the Art & DeAnn Thurmer Endowment Fund – established to support initiatives that make a meaningful difference in the lives of Waupun Memorial Hospital employees. This fund will be used to create moments of encouragement, appreciation, and joy – whether through wellness initiatives, recognition events, or simple gestures that brighten a team member’s day. It reflects DeAnn’s enduring belief that caring for those who care for others is essential to a thriving health care environment.
As the hospital celebrates three-quarters of a century of caring, leaders are also reflecting the hospital’s origins.
“Seventy-five years of service is a profound milestone for both our organization and the communities we serve,” says Nicole Gill, SSM Health Ripon Community Hospital/SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital vice president, clinical administrator. “We are grateful for the generations of caregivers and community partners who have advanced our mission and strengthened local access to high-quality, faith-inspired health care.”
SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital traces its roots back to 1943, when Mayor Judson J. Rikkers appointed a Citizen’s Hospital Committee to evaluate the need for a hospital in Waupun. The response was enthusiastic, and by 1945, community leaders had launched a fundraising campaign to help build a new healthcare facility. The School Sisters of St. Francis joined the effort, committing both operational leadership and significant financial support.
Construction began in 1949, and Waupun Memorial Hospital was dedicated in 1951 as a tribute to veterans of both world wars and as a vital health care resource for the region and opened its doors on July 5. This mission was further strengthened in 1987 as sponsorship of the hospital was transferred to the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes and in 2018 becoming a part of SSM Health.
“The Waupun community has been an unwavering partner from the very beginning,” says Thurmer. “Their generosity, advocacy, and engagement have shaped this hospital for 75 years – and continue to make our mission possible today.”
Over the decades, SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital has celebrated numerous milestones, including:
- National recognition for quality care, including past Top 100 Hospital honors and continued accreditation from The Joint Commission.
- Leadership in renal care, with more than 56 years of providing dialysis services to the region.
- Integration into SSM Health, strengthening access to advanced technology, specialty care, and regional expertise.
- Ongoing physician recruitment, ensuring the community continues to benefit from a strong network of local primary and specialty providers.
- Continuous campus improvements, including modernized facilities and enhanced patient care environments, made possible through partnerships and community support.
However, Thurmer emphasizes that the heart of the celebration belongs to the people of SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital.
“Our caregivers and volunteers are the true legacy of this hospital,” she says. “Their compassion, skill, and devotion to serving friends, family, and neighbors are what make SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital exceptional.”
Gill agrees. “Whether caring at the bedside, supporting operations, or volunteering time and talent, every individual contributes to a culture of excellence that honors our past and inspires our future.”
Date posted: June 2, 2026