In the spotlight: 27 years of giving back to hospitals that feel like home

If you ask Wayne Winistorfer why he and his wife Carol Lassila have given back to Ascension Mercy and St. Elizabeth Hospitals for the past 27 years he would say, “They are our hospitals. Why wouldn't we?! Why wouldn’t we support our family and friends?” 

For Wayne and Carol, donating to their local Ascension hospitals has always been an easy decision to make.

Wayne Winistorfer and Carol Lassila celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary.

Since beginning his career with Ascension in 1998 as the Regional Director of Rehabilitation Services, Wayne and Carol’s motivation for supporting Ascension Mercy and St. Elizabeth grew stronger with each passing year.

Both hospitals, and the healthcare providers and associates who worked there, played pivotal roles in key stages of their lives.

Carol was the Medical Practice Manager for Fox Valley Chest Consultants, originally located within Mercy Hospital, where associates became trusted friends she would later turn to when she started experiencing her own health concerns. 

“In the early 2000s, my wife had some significant health issues,” Wayne shared. “She was hospitalized at Mercy and later St. Elizabeth. My wife always said, ‘of course we go to Mercy and St. Elizabeth where we’re among family and friends.’ I know that her doctors and these two hospitals saved my wife's life more than once.”

Later in life, their three grandchildren, Lila (7), Elliot (4) and Oliver Wayne (2) were all born at Ascension Mercy. And, it was at Mercy where Carol received compassionate care before taking her last breath this past March.

Ascension Mercy and St. Elizabeth have always been there for Wayne and Carol, and in turn, they supported their hospitals right back.

Throughout the years, Wayne and Carol made donations in support of St. Elizabeth’s heart and lung services, Mercy Hospital’s former exercise program for the physically challenged, Mercy’s heart and lung services and greatest needs at each hospital, to name a few. 

Having worked with Ascension for 27 years and counting, Wayne has seen firsthand how funding from Ascension Wisconsin Foundation helps enhance patient care at Mercy and St. Elizabeth: 

“My departments over the years have been grant recipients from the Foundation so it was always easy for me to encourage associates who I worked closely with to contribute to the Foundation. As an associate, the Foundation helps make your job easier and helps you do a better job for those you are serving.”

Today, Wayne works part time as a PRN occupational therapist on the inpatient behavioral health unit at Ascension Mercy and plans to continue giving back to Ascension for years to come: 

“I will continue to contribute to Ascension Mercy Hospital and St. Elizabeth Hospital for as long as I am able. These are MY hospitals and MY health system.”

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About associate giving

Mission Possible is Ascension Wisconsin's annual associate giving campaign. Organized by Ascension Wisconsin Foundation, Mission Possible is an opportunity to give back to your community by making a donation in support of Ascension Wisconsin and/or United Way. Learn more about how you can make a difference through Mission Possible, here.