Valued Voice

"Karl" PustinaArthur “Karl” Pustina, longtime health care leader at Upland Hills Health and friend to the Wisconsin Hospital Association, passed away unexpectedly on April 26, 2026, as the result of a farming accident. He was 70.

Karl devoted 40 years of his professional life to Upland Hills Health, where he served in an administrative role and was deeply respected for his integrity, work ethic and appreciation for every member of the health care team. He understood that hospitals depend on many people in many roles working together to care for patients and communities. As his obituary notes, Karl often said that if those who clean the operating room do not do their job, surgeries cannot happen.

Karl was also an engaged participant in WHA’s advocacy and member engagement efforts. He attended WHA’s Advocacy Day and the WHA Wisconsin Rural Health Conference, was active in the Hospitals Education and Advocacy Team (HEAT), WHA’s grassroots advocacy network, and personally supported the Wisconsin Hospitals State PAC & Conduit, supporting candidates for state office who understand and value Wisconsin hospitals. He also regularly attended WHA Southern Region events, where he connected with colleagues from other hospitals and health systems. Through these efforts, Karl built relationships with community leaders and state policymakers, helping advocate for Upland Hills Health and for the broader needs of Wisconsin hospitals and the patients and communities they serve.

His obituary remembers him as a man who lived by the Golden Rule, with profound integrity, dependability, strength, positivity, humor and companionship. He especially treasured his role as grandfather to 15 grandchildren.

To read Karl’s obituary, click here.