SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac Continues To Improve Area Economic Impact

According to a new study conducted by Envision Greater Fond du Lac, SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac has a $914 million annual economic impact on the local Fond du Lac community. 

The study shows that SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac continues to be one of the top employers in the community, now employing nearly 3,000 people. Additionally, SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac has a total job impact of more than 4,600 jobs in the Fond du Lac community, meaning that each job at SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac supports an additional 1.5 full-time positions in Fond du Lac County. 

“SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac’s impact goes well beyond the impressive employees and providers, as the impact study shows,” according to Sadie Vander Velde, president and CEO of Envision Greater Fond du Lac. “A wide number of indirect jobs in the entertainment, retail and service industries are supported by SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac. As their organization continues to grow, our region’s economy grows with them, and the quality of life in Fond du Lac improves.” 

The new study also shows that SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac’s impact on retail activity in the region remains strong, accounting for more than $135 million in community retail sales, and $17 million in property, sales, and income taxes. 

“Wisconsin hospitals and health systems – like SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac – are well-known for providing high-quality and accessible care for Wisconsin residents, helping to keep our communities healthier,” says Katherine Vergos, SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital president. “They provide critical health care and emergency services; contribute substantial resources to communities through jobs, tax revenue and capital improvements; and are among the largest employers across the state.” 

For nearly 127 years, SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac has invested in the overall health and well-being of the communities it serves, working to provide as many services locally as possible.  

First founded by the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes, SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac has grown to include vital medical services through its three hospitals (Fond du Lac, Ripon, Waupun), 17 clinic locations, six retail pharmacies/prescription centers, three long-term care facilities, full-reference laboratories, home medical equipment, home care/hospice, adult day services, cancer care, and more. 

SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac’s commitment to the communities it serves continues growing. Annually, $1 million is given to support community benefit programs. New services are being introduced, including the recent opening of SSM Health Treffert Studios to help neurodivergent individuals find their passion and express their talents, giving them a voice and platform to share their strengths with the world. 

Cardiac services are also expanding through SSM Health Dale Michels Heart & Vascular Care thanks, in part, to an $8.5 million project addressing increasing space needs as the number of cardiac physicians and life-saving procedures continues to grow. 

“Hospitals and health care systems rank as one of the state’s largest employers and strongest economic drivers,” Vergos says. “Wisconsin can retain and attract talented people to our state because the health care sector provides family-supporting jobs across a wide spectrum of education and skills – from high school to an advanced degree.” 

SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac is proud to provide advanced care close to home. “We are going to continually find new ways to deliver the highest quality care in the communities we serve,” Vergos adds. “We know that it’s important to our patients that they can receive care in their hometown with their families and friends close by and avoid the need to travel long distances.”