Aspirus Wausau Hospital

Dawn Decker
Dir. Physician Recruitment/Retention

Who Am I?
I am a physician recruitment manager, a wife, a football/basketball "bleacher mom," and my two teenage sons’ No. 1 fan.

I'm also a Rachel Ray wanna be and enjoy sharing my amateur cooking skills with family and friends. I've been connecting providers to great opportunities at Aspirus since 2000. Besides managing the recruitment staff, I recruit for neurology, neurosurgery and dermatology.

Away from work
When I'm not here working to find you a great match you'll find me traveling...but just for a visit – my home and heart is here in north central Wisconsin.

Aspirus pride
The thing I am most proud to share with providers about Aspirus is that our brand promise "Passion for Excellence. Compassion for people." is not just empty words for us. People at Aspirus really live it, and our patients feel it everyday.

Favorite season
My favorite season is fall in Wisconsin, because of the beautiful colors and awesome weather. You can't beat it anywhere.

While you’re in Wisconsin
Two things you must do when you visit Wisconsin are try fresh squeaky cheese curds and go on one of our beautiful lakes...summer or winter!

Karen Lindstrum
Physician Recruiter, Southern Region

Who Am I?
I am a Physician Recruiter, a wife and a mom to two very active teenage daughters, which also makes me a personal assistant, a chauffer, a party planner, a personal banker and a frequent shopper.

I’ve been connecting providers to great opportunities at Aspirus since 2007. I am your connection for our central and southern regions and all of our urgent care clinics.

Away from work
When I’m not working to find you a great match, you’ll find me playing on my iPad. I must say, the app “Angry Birds” is very addicting.

Aspirus pride
One thing I’m most proud to share with providers about Aspirus, is to speak firsthand about what a great place Aspirus is to work. I can attest to this, since I’m enjoying my 22nd straight year with this great organization.

Favorite season
There are pleasures in all four seasons in Wisconsin, which is why I choose to live here. Summer is prime time at our cabin with nightly campfires, along with boating on various lakes and an array of outdoor concerts to attend. In fall, my husband and children are into their hunting activities, so I have extra time to re-connect with my extended family. Winter is a great time to curl up with a good book, or host a Wii party. In spring, everything outdoors is fresh and beautiful, so it invigorates my soul.

While you’re in Wisconsin
Two things you must do on a visit to our southern region is take part in the Cranberry Festival in Wisconsin Rapids, and you won’t want to miss a tour of the Point Brewery in Stevens Point.

Jamie Sitko
Physician Recruiter, Wausau/Central Region

Who Am I?
I’m a physician recruiter, NASCAR and Packers fan, beach destination traveler and I love sailing despite the fact that I don’t know how to swim. Yes, I’ll even admit to DVRing my favorite soap opera.

I’ve been connecting providers to great opportunities at Aspirus since 2005 and recruit for the central region and specialties.

Away from work
When I’m not working to find you a great match you’ll find me boating on many of our area lakes, camping, attending my niece’s softball games, spending time with family and attending area old car shows.

Aspirus pride
One thing I am most proud to share with providers about Aspirus is that I feel confident in the many specialists we have hired over the years and am proud to refer my family to them for care (which I have had to do).

Favorite season
My favorite season in Wisconsin is summer because there are endless activities including downtown arts and music. I love being on the lakes and with close friends and family – there is always someone having a party.

While you’re in Wisconsin
Two things you must do on a visit to Wausau are take a walk downtown on 3rd Street to see the unique shops and visit Granite Peak Ski Area.

Dan Bastle
Physician Recruiter, Langlade Hospital

Who Am I?
I’m a recruiter, a dad and an outdoorsman.

Away from work
When I'm not working to find you a great match I'm typically with family, usually off to one of my children's sporting events.

You’ll also find me coaching baseball or sneaking around the woods in late fall.

Aspirus pride
I feel very fortunate to have been hired by this great organization back in October 2008. The main reason is because of the great people that I work with and their enthusiasm for growth, openness to new ideas, and their unending optimism. The Aspirus organization and its many satellite sites are often winning awards for customer service, technology, advancements in medicine, or Best Places to Practice awards, which is living proof of how we live our mission everyday, “Passion for excellence. Compassion for people.”

Favorite season
My favorite season in Wisconsin is fall because of the colors and opportunities to spend quality time with my children in the woods.

While you’re in Wisconsin
Having lived in northern Wisconsin my whole life, I literally know of hundreds of activities to do each week. From hiking to biking, camping or snowmobiling, to ATVing the mud-laden trails, outdoor activity never ends. But the one thing that I believe is an absolute must is a slow pontoon ride in late August on one of the thousands of gin-clear, sand-rimmed lakes. If this is of interest to you, give one of us a call and we'd be happy to help with the details to get you to “relaxationville.”

Keith Wrage
Physician Recruiter, Memorial Health Center

Who am I?
I am a husband and dad of four (soon to be five!) active kids from first grade through high school.  My role at Memorial Health Center is jack-of-all-trades.

I work primarily in recruitment, but also in staff development and some operational processes.  My wife is a pediatrician, so I’ve lived through residency and I’ve personally been through the process of evaluating practices and community fit.  Finally, for the obvious questions: Yes, I’m 6-feet-8-inches tall and no, I never played basketball.

Away from work
Keeping up with my kids and their activities seems to occupy much of my free time.  We live on the lake near Medford so in the summer you’ll find us on the swimming raft having a cannonball contest or playing paintball in the woods!  As an amateur sports photographer you’ll also find me on the sidelines and courtside for many area high school events. 

Aspirus Pride
Memorial Health Center is positioned almost perfectly - a small community healthcare system taking care of friends, family members, and neighbors - yet with all of the technology and horsepower of a large system.  You’ll be amazed to discover the breadth of services we provide.  Usually a facility like ours is a satellite location...but we have four of our own satellite locations!  Our outstanding, consistent financial performance make us a stable place to practice medicine.

Favorite Season
My favorite is a Fall - a 65° day - prefect "sweatshirt weather," but I love every season in Wisconsin and each means something different to me:

• Summer – laughing kids jumping off a swimming raft.
• Fall – the explosion of Fall colors in every direction.
• Winter – a moonlit walk in the woods listening to night sounds.
• Spring – the chorus of frogs as a thunderstorm rolls in.

While You are in Wisconsin
Plan enough time to experience first-hand the work-life balance we offer.  Bring your concept of the ‘perfect practice’ - our small organization and creative, flexible scheduling might offer you exactly what you want!

Sheila Begalle
Physician Recruiter, Upper MI/Northern WI

Who Am I?
I am a physician recruiter who immensely enjoys meeting new people, and getting the chance to tell them all about Aspirus and our beautiful surroundings.

Every time I tour the community with a candidate, I fall in love with the area all over again.

Away from work
When I am not recruiting, I enjoy camping near the shores of Lake Superior or at one of the many inland lakes. My husband and I are enjoying our “empty nest,” but very often have our little grandchildren staying with us.

Aspirus pride
Potential physicians are often surprised by all the services we provide in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Our facilities are top-notch and our wonderful medical staff works collaboratively with specialists from Aspirus Wausau Hospital to increase the availability of numerous services.

Favorite season
I enjoy all the seasons and we are a true four-season area, so there are many activities and festivals to enjoy throughout the year. Bears may hibernate in the winter months, but that cannot be said for the “Yoopers,” as we stay busy snowmobiling, ice fishing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, skating and going to the numerous ski resorts in the area. By spring, the numerous waterfalls that surround our area are rumbling and spilling into Lake Superior and the summer and fall months showcase our area’s beautiful nights and glorious summer days. The colorful mixed hardwoods provide an unbelievable landscape that will take your breath away.

While you’re in the Upper Peninsula
You must visit the Copper Peak Adventure ride where you rise 1,782 feet above sea level, nearly 1,200 feet above Lake Superior. This is one of the highest points in the state of Michigan and gives you an awesome view of parts of Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and of Lake Superior and the Black River National Scenic Byway. The area boasts of several theatre groups and musical groups, including the famous Marty’s Goldenaires Drum and Bugle Choir.

Amanda Krueger
Physician Recruitment Sourcer, Aspirus Clinics

Who am I?
In my role, I creatively source top talent for the organization. I am also a wife and a mother of two awesome boys who don’t ever seem to stop moving.

I am active in my children’s school as PTO President and classroom volunteer, and I participate as a volunteer for Junior Achievement.

Away from work
While I am not at work you will find me outside with my family playing baseball or riding a bike. When I’m not outside, you can find me cheering on the Milwaukee Brewers or on the floor building the most awesome Lego ship imaginable! In between all of the activity you will find me curled up reading a book.

Aspirus pride
This organization is constantly evolving to stay ahead of the curve and provide the best care possible to our patients.

Favorite season
Without a doubt, it’s summer. I live for the warmer weather, so we can pack up the family and go camping or head to our cottage in the Northwoods for fishing, swimming, boating and of course, S’mores. Nothing beats sitting on the dock and watching a beautiful sunset.

While you’re in Wisconsin
Take a trip to Big Eau Pleine County Park to enjoy hiking and picnicking, or grab your picnic basket, a blanket and a bottle of wine and pick a spot on the grass to listen to great music at the Concert on the Square in Wausau.

Jodi Wierzba
Physician Recruitment Representative

Who Am I?
By day, I am a Physician Recruitment Representative; by night, I teach various forms of dance to kids and teens of all ages, including jazz, ballet, Pointe, tap and modern.

As you can imagine, both jobs keep me quite busy, but I find it well worth it because I get the best of both worlds. My main focus as a Physician Recruitment Representative is to assist the recruiters in planning your visit to our area. Anything from your lodging, meals, transportation and airfare, to connecting you with the great people and communities we work, live and play in. Please let us know how we can assist you!

Away from work
When I am not working on planning your visit to Aspirus, I am enjoying a nice day on the lake with family and friends, taking a walk at one of our many parks on a warm summer night or playing beach volleyball in the summer and curling – yes, I said curling, during the winter.

Aspirus pride
Aspirus works hard to meet not only our expectations as employees, but works at exceeding the expectations of our patients. We know what it takes to provide excellent care and deliver superb customer service to our patients and aren't afraid to work together to make that happen. Why wouldn't you want to join our team?

Favorite season
Hands down, my favorite season here in Wisconsin is fall. I have never seen a more beautiful place than our parks and lakes during that time of year. If you have never experienced autumn here in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, you need to be sure you include it on your bucket list.

While you’re in Wisconsin
The arts are alive and well here in Wisconsin; you could take in a show at the Grand Theater or walk around and experience the latest exhibit at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum. We also have many music festivals in the summer and art-rageous weekend in the fall.