Celebrating six Guardian Angel recognitions

Please join us in recognizing six new Guardian Angels! Guardian Angel, a program of Ascension Wisconsin Foundation, extends an invitation for patients to recognize any Ascension Wisconsin associate that made a difference in their care.

Erika Mantsch, physician assistant, Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Ozaukee (Madison Medical)

Erika has walked me off many ledges! When I’m concerned about my ongoing GI problems, she has responded to me within hours and has given me clear instructions. Her gift is her knowledge and her people skills. It’s usually hard to get concrete answers in record time. I have so much faith in her and know that she’ll always help me. Thank you Erika!

Dr. Marshall Mirviss, internist, Ascension Wisconsin Hospital - Greenfield

Dr. Mirviss has been my primary care physician for many years. He listens intently and provides me with the guidance to fulfill my health plans. I truly appreciate everything he does for me and my family. I recently had a major health issue that changed my life dramatically. Dr Mirviss helped me through the dark times to see the greener grass.

Dr. Breana Cummens, family medicine physician, Ascension Wisconsin Hospital - Greenfield

In 2019, after reviewing my mammogram, Dr. Cummens, called me and told me I was at high risk for breast cancer because of my family history and dense breast tissue. I was shocked and scared. She referred me to the Ascension High Risk Breast Cancer Center. I am grateful for her attention to detail. By referring me to the Ascension High Risk Breast Cancer Center, I can be proactive about my breast health. I was accepted into the high risk program. I am grateful to Dr. Cummens, she is truly my Guardian Angel for this referral.

Dr. Mark Clemence, internist, Ascension Wisconsin Hospital - Greenfield

Dr. Mark Clemence is my primary physician at Ascension. He is smart, kind and truly cares about all of his patients. He has been my doctor for many years and his father, James, was our doctor before him. Both have demonstrated the intuitive skills which have saved my family in so many ways. My whole extended family sees Dr. Clemence and we are so glad that we do. He is a life saver and has enhanced the lives of my Aunt, my husband, my daughter and myself. He is one great doctor and we have complete trust in him.

Ascension St. Elizabeth Wound Care Team

I took a very bad fall on July 26th and was treated at the ER at Ascension in Appleton. ER put 138 stitches in my right hand! Then I made weekly visits to wound care. I moved to my permanent home in Florida and have been continuing visits to wound care at another healthcare system there. All is healing very well and I have only one more visit to go! Thank you wound care!

Dr. Alexander Starr, oncologist, Ascension St. Elizabeth and Mercy (Green Bay Oncology)

I am honored to submit Dr. Starr for the Guardian Angel Recognition for his exceptional, long-term dedication to caring for my husband, Al. Al’s cancer fighting journey didn’t start at St. Elizabeth, but he was adamant about ‘going where Dr. Starr goes.’ Although hospitals would never tell us where Dr. Starr’s future employment destination was, we were persistent to keep looking until we would find him again. In between we saw many doctors, most of whom advised Al to give up. Al was a warrior; he was never willing to accept that answer when he still felt that there was room to fight. Dr. Starr understood that about Al, and respected his desire to fight until there was no more fighting left to do.

Dr. Starr served as my husband’s oncologist over an extended and challenging course of illness. Throughout this journey, he demonstrated extraordinary commitment, perseverance and compassion. He provided not only expert medical care, but also unwavering hope and strength during moments when those qualities were hardest to sustain. Dr. Starr remembered year after year that Al didn’t want to get treatment during hunting season so he could enjoy his main hobby, and he honored the request time and time again. Dr. Starr never gave up on my husband, and his determination profoundly impacted both my husband’s experience and my ability to endure a difficult path.

What distinguishes Dr. Starr is his ability to combine clinical excellence with genuine humanity. He treated my husband as a whole person, not merely a diagnosis, and ensured that every decision was guided by respect, honesty, and empathy. His presence consistently reassured us that my husband was supported by a physician who remained fully invested in his care, regardless of the obstacles.

Dr. Starr exemplifies the highest standards of the medical profession. His dedication, compassion, and refusal to abandon hope reflect the very values that this award seeks to honor. Our family is deeply grateful for his extraordinary efforts, and I believe he is richly deserving of formal recognition.