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22 | I NSIGH T • F e b r u a r y 2 0 2 0 w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m Woleske, who took the helm in late 2018 aer being part of Bellin's leadership team for more than 20 years, carefully guides the Green Bay area's largest employer as it seeks to meet the community's needs while working to make its care affordable. "I had a lot of insights into what was ahead of me," Woleske says of her transition from executive vice president and chief operating officer into the role previously held by George Kerwin, whom she calls a mentor. "I am the beneficiary of an organization that is in great shape." Locally owned, Bellin's impact is both far-reaching and longstanding, beginning with Bellin Hospital, founded as Deaconess Sanitarium in 1908 by Dr. Julius Bellin. Today, the Bellin umbrella also includes a hospital in Oconto, 40 clinic locations in Northeast Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula, Bellin College in Green Bay, specialty divisions (psychiatric, sports medicine and orthopedics), fitness centers, FastCare clinics and the Bellin Run. "We have grown a lot over the years," says Woleske, who holds a bachelor's degree in health care administration, a degree from Marquette Law School and is a graduate of the Stanford Graduate School of Business Executive Program. Kerwin, who spent 47 years at Bellin, including 26 as CEO, agrees Bellin's growth has been impressive in recent years. "Bellin is a great organization in an industry that is constantly changing and growing," he says. Combine Bellin's growth with its notable partnerships, including the Green Bay Packers, and Woleske admits the challenge can be daunting at times, but she is prepared for what lies ahead. "I'm the conductor in the symphony," she says. GROWING CARE As Bellin enters 2020, a lot lies on the horizon, including its recent — and extremely successful — bond sale, which raised $43 million in just 45 minutes for an expansion of Bellin's maternity department and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit project. Bellin's current third-floor maternity ward — known as the Kress Birthing Center — has 18 labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum beds and five triage beds, which are not enough to meet demand, Woleske says. Advances to the NICU also are necessary as the care team focuses more on building relationships with infants and families as they prepare to take their children home. Construction has already started on the first phase of the project, which moves the cafeteria and kitchen from the third floor. e cafeteria is moving to the hospital lobby, where the registration station is also being upgraded. Once those are moved off the third floor, the maternity ward will be expanded and the NICU will be added. e project is expected to be complete in late 2022, says Kelly HEART OF THE MATTER c o n t i n u e d BELLIN HEALTH Headquarters: Green Bay Year founded: 1908 Employees: 4,600 What it does: Health care provider in Northeast Wisconsin and a portion of Michigan's Upper Peninsula through its two hospitals, 40 clinics and specialty care services. Also operates Bellin College. Bellinhealth.org C O U R T E S Y O F B E L L I N H E A LT H Construction at Bellin Hospital in Green Bay has started that will allow for the expansion of the maternity department and the addition of a state-of-the-art Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Copyright Insight Publications