The Moraine Park Foundation has received $250,000 from SSM Health and the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation in support of the Fond du Lac Campus Health and Human Services equipment campaign. The generous gift will provide significant support for the equipment and technology needed in the College’s new Health and Human Services wing.
Moraine Park’s new Health and Human Services wing on the Fond du Lac Campus is a 44,926-square-foot project, including an 8,908-square-foot addition, will modernize classrooms, labs and simulation spaces to reflect real-world settings found in hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics and emergency service areas. An additional 7,048-square-foot renovation, separate from the referendum budget, will house general science education and cosmetology classrooms.
“SSM Health is proud to support Moraine Park Technical College because a strong health care workforce begins with strong education. When students train on industry-standard equipment and realistic simulations, they graduate better prepared to provide safe, high-quality care from day one. This partnership directly strengthens our future caregivers, ensuring exceptional care remains available close to home,” Shane Smith, SSM Health Fond du Lac Market president, said.
The new facility will serve more than 500 students annually across multiple programs, including Emergency Medical Services, Medical Lab Technician, Nursing, Radiography, Respiratory Therapy and Surgical Technology—many of whom will go on to build their health care careers right here in our district communities.
“At the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation, we support efforts that strengthen the health of our community for generations to come,” Mason Gravelle, philanthropy director at Agnesian HealthCare Foundation, said. “Investing in Moraine Park Technical College ensures that future caregivers are trained with the same advanced tools and technology they will use in real patient-care settings – benefiting students, patients, and our entire area. Supporting MPTC’s Health Care Equipment Campaign reflects our deep commitment to education, access to care, and community vitality.”
The Moraine Park Foundation spearheaded the $750,000 campaign to fund the equipment for the Health and Human Services wing. This expense was intentionally separated from the referendum dollars to help keep the taxpayer burden at a minimum. The Foundation is currently connecting with district partners to help meet the equipment needs. To date, five partners have contributed over $300,000 toward meeting these equipment needs.
“The partnership between Moraine Park, SSM Health, and the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation is one we’re incredibly proud of,” Bonnie Baerwald, Moraine Park president, said. “Their continued support allows us to provide comprehensive training using state-of-the-art equipment in advanced learning environments—directly strengthening the health care workforce. Our students will soon become proud Moraine Park alumni, building their careers in our local health care facilities and providing care to the people who call our communities home. The investment from SSM Health and the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation is helping us strengthen a lasting pipeline of talent, care and community impact.”
For more information on the campaign or to contribute, visit morainepark.edu/foundation.