For the past six months, I have been working with Kevin O'Connell, MD, Wausau Program Director, the Wausau Health Foundation and University of Wisconsin Foundation to raise funds to build a new home for the Wausau residency program. The campaign is going well! The Wausau medical community and our own Department of Family Medicine leaders were among the first to step up as individuals to show their support with a contribution to the campaign.

The building will be a state-of-the-art clinic and educational space in Wausau's growing healthcare campus near Aspirus Wausau Hospital. The two-story plan will have the clinic on the first level with conference rooms and meeting space above. The high tech educational space will be professionally managed, enabling Wausau to host many types of medical meetings and expand training options.

This campaign has made me aware of how important it is for us to support our own causes with time, talent and personal financial commitments. The $1.5 million in contributions received so far from members of the medical community demonstrates the kind of commitment that can inspire others to give.

We are now embarked on the second phase of the campaign which is to raise another $1.5 million, or more, from the greater Wausau community and others. Contributions of all sizes are welcomed. Contributors of $1,500 or more will be honored on the recognition wall at the residency clinic. All contributions through the University of Wisconsin Foundation will be credited by both the University of Wisconsin and the Wausau Health Foundation.

For information on how you can help support this project, please call (608) 263-8733, or email me, at carrol.christman@fammed.wisc.edu.