THE VALUED VOICE

Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA) has awarded its 2024 Distinguished Service Award to Dan DeGroot, President and CEO of Stoughton Health. WHA General Counsel Matthew Stanford presented the award to DeGroot on Nov. 25.
 
WHA’s annual Distinguished Service Award honors a senior health care executive who has demonstrated a long-standing and impactful commitment to advancing health care statewide and in their community.
 
Under DeGroot's leadership, Stoughton Health experienced significant growth and success. During the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, he recognized the value of working together and initiated a touch base meeting with the city, schools, chamber and hospital which continues today. DeGroot was the driving force for the opening of McFarland Urgent Care Clinic and acquiring the Community Health and Wellness Center located at County B and Hwy 51. He was instrumental in the opening of a Cardiology Clinic at Stoughton Hospital, expanding orthopedic care, and the building of a 56,000-square-foot Medical Outpatient Center slated to open spring of 2025, and opening a full-time urgent care in Cottage Grove while also working toward a full-time urgent care in Oregon. DeGroot's collaborative efforts and focus on expanding access to healthcare services have left a lasting impact on the community. 
 
In presenting the award to DeGroot, Stanford, said, “As a member of WHA’s leadership team, I can attest to Dan's leadership and commitment to WHA and health care advocacy providing his time, expertise and voice. In Dan’s 7 years at Stoughton Health, his work with WHA has been lengthy and impactful. Dan has chaired WHA’s Council on Rural Health, and served on the WHA Public Policy Council, the WHA Advocacy Committee, the WHA Transparency Task Force and the WHA Behavioral Health Forum. He has also served on the WHA Board of Directors since 2020 providing clarity and insights on often challenging issues that have been invaluable to WHA staff."

Dan was nominated for the award by Linda Schaefer, Marketing Coordinator at Stoughton Health. In the nomination letter, Linda along with her colleagues at Stoughton Health said "Stoughton Health nominates our chief executive officer, colleague and friend Dan DeGroot, for the WHA Distinguished Service Award. As CEO, Dan has provided leadership at Stoughton Health for seven years, in which time he has demonstrated exemplary commitment, community involvement and healthcare advocacy. Dan reminds us daily of our responsibility to care for our community, be stewards of healthcare resources and to respect and provide compassion to all we serve. He is personally involved in many activities which support community health and is a role model for all.”
 
WHA congratulates DeGroot for his exemplary commitment to his community and the health care industry at large to improve care for all. WHA will make a $500 donation to the charity of his choice.