enhancing the health and wellnes of our community
down arrow
about us
The Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation (GWCHF) will be a catalyst for positive, lasting and measurable health improvement across the region. Our vision is thriving communities where everyone enjoys good health and wellbeing.

Our Mission?

To inspire collaboration, mobilize resources and encourage innovation that measurably contributes to the wellbeing of our community.

Connecting the "doers"

GWCHF is a connector - bringing together the people, organizations and resources needed to create lasting change. We believe that transforming community health requires more than just writing a check. It requires listening. Engaging. Empowering the "doers" of our community to apply their talents to create a healthier tomorrow.

Big challenges demand big solutions

GWCHF will strategically focus our resources to "move the needle" on community health indicators. We value collaboration, maximizing community assets and improving health over the long-term. We invest in root cause solutions to create sustainable change.

down arrow

runner
green circle
pink circle
our board members
Michael Sullivan, MD, Chairman

As a physician, Dr. Sullivan has a unique connection to the health needs of the community. He has been a physician partner at Watertown Family Practice since moving to the area in 2004. Dr. Sullivan is a family physician who has served as Vice Chief of Staff and Chief of Staff on the WRMC Medical Executive Committee. He received his BS in Biology and MD from the University of Illinois. Dr. Sullivan previously served on the WRMC Board of Directors and as a provider at the Watertown Area Cares Clinic. He is a current member of the Tour da Goose Planning Committee and of YES! Watertown.


Michael Sullivan, MD
Tina Crave, President & CEO

With over 20 years' experience in local healthcare leadership, Tina has made a lifelong commitment to health and wellness. She most recently served as Vice President and Chief Experience Officer at WRMC, where she had responsibilities over patient experience, marketing/public relations and community health assessment and planning. Tina is a firm believer that optimal health is created in our community, home, work and school. Tina applies this belief in the foundation's goal of creating healthy living environments. Tina earned her Bachelor of Science degree in physical therapy from UW-La Crosse and a master's degree in business administration from Cardinal Stritch University. She holds certifications in health coaching and whole health education. Tina serves on the boards of Dodge Jefferson Healthier Community Partnership, Rainbow Hospice and on the Watertown Branding Commission. She is a member of Grantmakers in Health, Exponent Philanthropy and the Wisconsin Active Communities Alliance.


Tina Crave
Randall J. Phelps, Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair

Randy has extensive experience in the manufacturing industry. Employed by Orbis Corporation for 32 years, he held leadership positions including Marketing Manager, Venture Manager, General Manager and VP of Business Development including Acquisitions. Randy has served on the Watertown Regional Medical Center Board for 13 years where he served as Chairman and as a member of the Finance Committee. He also serves on the Educational Foundation of Watertown, Inc. board as President. He is also the Finance Chairman for Christ United Methodist Church. Randy obtained his bachelor's degree from Wartburg College with an emphasis in Business Administration/Economics. He furthered his education with an MBA from the Wharton Graduate School of Business of the University of Pennsylvania with an emphasis in marketing.


Randall J. Phelps
Carol Quest, Secretary

As a Registered Nurse, Carol has dedicated 35 years to the health and wellness of our region. For over 15 years she has held the position of Director/Health Officer of the Watertown Department of Public Health. Through her career, she has provided bedside nursing at Watertown Regional Medical Center, and has worked at local County and City health departments as both a Public Nurse and an administrator. Carol's profession has given her the opportunity to impact and support current and emerging Public Health practices in our region and as a State and local public health advocate she has garnered the knowledge and skills needed to understand the complexities of improving public health. Carol currently serves on several boards, including the Watertown Regional Medical Center Joint Venture Board, Watertown Area Cares Clinic, a non-profit medical provider for low-income, uninsured residents; Dodge/Jefferson Healthier Community Partnership and Dodge/Jefferson Community Health Assessment. She is a member of Healthiest Wisconsin 2020, where she also served on the board and implementation plan committee.


Carol Quest
John David

John is the current and two-time Mayor for the City of Watertown. John earned a teaching degree from Indiana University in 1970 and began his career teaching US History at Watertown High School. He then became owner of his family business Charles David's Sons, Inc. where he worked for 37 years. John's public service career began in 1996, when he was elected as an Alderperson. He was elected Mayor for the first time in 2001, and served until 2007. He was reelected as an Alderperson in 2011 and then reelected as mayor in 2013. John's commitment to public service has led him to serve on many boards in the area. John is a past President of the Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce, member and past President of the Watertown Rotary Club, Vice Chair of the State of Wisconsin Retirement Board, Vice Chair of the State of Wisconsin Employee Trust Fund Board, and member of the Watertown Educational Foundation.




John David
Charles Eggert

A licensed attorney in the State of Wisconsin since 2011, Charles opened an area law firm with his wife in 2014. Prior to this, Charlie worked in elder law in Madison. He also owns and manages multiple residential and commercial rental properties and has actively farmed with his father since childhood. Charlie earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from UW-Whitewater and his Juris Doctor from Valparaiso University School of Law. Charlie is a current board member of the Columbus Mutual Insurance Company and is also a member of the Wisconsin Bar Association and the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce. His diverse professional background working in both the legal and agricultural fields gives him a vast knowledge of the health challenges individuals face in the GWCHF service area.


Charles Eggert
Frederick C. Gremmels, DO

Dr. Gremmels is a retired physician and former Chief of Staff at the Watertown Regional Medical Center. During his tenure with WRMC, he held extensive leadership roles including Physician Liaison, President of the Jefferson County Medical Society, and President and board member of the Watertown Physician Hospital Organization. In his retirement, Dr. Gremmels has continued to follow his passion for wellness by devoting time to the Watertown Area Cares Clinic, a non-profit medical provider for low-income, uninsured residents where he currently serves as Volunteer Physician and is past Medical Director. He also serves on the Rainbow Hospice Board, and is a former member of the Watertown Regional Medical Center Board. Dr. Gremmels obtained his undergraduate degree from Wartburg College, his D.O. degree from Des Moines University and completed his family practice residency at the University of Minnesota.




Frederick C. Gremmels, DO
Steve LeGrow

Dr. LeGrow is a family medicine physician who relocated to Watertown from rural eastern Texas in 2008. His passion for improving the health of individual lives is reflected not only by his profession, but his personal life as well. He is a founder of the March to November (M2N) race series created to promote physical fitness in our region. He is also the co-founder and race director of The Run Turkey Run a local Thanksgiving Day 5K Race. In addition to healthcare, Dr. LeGrow is a self-described "amateur .html programmer and FileMaker Database developer." Dr. LeGrow obtained his bachelor's degree from Centenary College of Louisiana, his doctorate from University of Texas at Houston Medical School and received his family medicine residency training at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana. He also serves on the Watertown Area YMCA Board of Directors, the Medical Executive committee of WRMC, and is a member of YES! Watertown.


Steve LeGrow
Karla Mullen

A retired teacher, Karla's service on the Watertown Regional Medical Center Board inspired in her a deep commitment for the health and wellness of our region. Karla holds an MA degree in education from Carroll University in Waukesha and has achieved National Board Teacher Certification, as well as NBCT Facilitator Training and Strategic Planning. She taught high school English and Social Studies during her career at the Watertown Unified School District. In addition to the WRMC Board, Karla has served as Board Chair for the Wisconsin Humanities Council and is a current board member of Endeavor Charter School and the Carroll Alumni Council. She also volunteers for the Watertown Area Cares Clinic, a non-profit medical provider for low-income, uninsured residents.



Karla Mullen
William Oswald

Since 1997, Bill has served as a financial advisor and currently co-owns Oswald Konz Financial Group. Bill's concern for the needs of our area has led him to serve as board member and President of the Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce, member of the Watertown Rotary Club, Board and Finance Committee member of Marquardt Village, Friends of the Watertown Public Library and youth sports coach for soccer, basketball, football and baseball. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire with a degree in business finance and is a Certified Financial Planner. Bill has also earned the Accredited Investment Fiduciary professional designation from Fiduciary360.


William Oswald
Nate Salas

Nate is committed to helping steer the Watertown region into a vibrant and healthy future. His role as a bank executive has given him the skills necessary to think strategically, plan and effectively communicate his vision. Nate earned his BS in Engineering with a Major in Political Science from the US Air Force Academy. He went on to earn his MBA in Finance at UW-Whitewater and a professional degree from the Graduate School of Banking from UW-Madison. He served 7 years in the military; four years as a cadet and three years as an officer in the Office of Special Investigations Aviano Italy. He has been employed in the banking and finance industry for 9 years. Nate is the founder and president of YES!Watertown, committee member of the Watertown Branding Commission and Board member of Partnership Bank. He has also served as a member of Leadership Watertown and Watertown Rotary.




Nate Salas
Tim Schuler

Tim has been employed by ORBIS for 27 years. In his current role, he provides financial leadership and direction to their Sales and Marketing Groups that generate 650 million dollars in annual revenue. In 2013, Tim received the ORBIS Presidential Award that recognizes individuals who perform at a high level and make significant contribution to the business. That same year, he was awarded the Menasha Corporation Living the Vision Award, the highest employee award in the company. Tim obtained his BBA from UW-Oshkosh with a major in accounting. He is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Wisconsin. He has previously served on the Watertown Regional Medical Center Board where he held the position of Finance Committee Chairman. He was also the treasurer for the St. Bernard's School Athletic Association, baseball and soccer coach for Watertown Park and Recreation and served as a member of the Facilities Advisory Committee for the Watertown School District.


Tim Schuler
David Schroeder

David has a BS in Chemical Engineering from UW-Madison and an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. His first ten years out of school David worked in the petrochemicals and plastics industry in various production, engineering, tech support, and business roles. Since 2005 he has been the owner and president of Baker-Rullman Manufacturing – a local manufacturer of corrugated steel storage bins, steel structure and industrial rotary drum dryers. In addition to serving on the board of GWCHF, he also volunteers his time in the community and serves on the boards of the Watertown Regional Medical Center, Watertown Area YMCA, YMCA at Pabst Farms, YES! Watertown, Watertown Economic Development Organization, and the Tech Ed Partnership Team at Watertown High School. As a local business owner with a commitment to the community, David views the improved health and wellbeing of our area as a means for economic growth and vitality.


David Schroeder
Marcy Tessman

Marcy is the President of and partner in Charleston/Orwig, a strategic communications agency serving leading and emerging brands within the food system. Her extensive background as a public relations practitioner brings expertise in working and communicating with civic groups, influencers and the general public. Marcy is a graduate of UW-Madison, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree. She has held a membership in the National Agri-Marketing Association since 1994 and is a member of the Giving Ladies of Watertown charitable group. In addition, she served a 3-year term on the Watertown Regional Medical Center Board.


down arrow

Marcy Tessman
about us

With the purpose of promoting and enhancing the health and wellness of our community, our foundation was created out of the September, 2015, joint venture transaction between Watertown Regional Medical Center (WMRC) and LifePoint Health.

The value of WRMC was built, in part, on community support over the last century. The GWCHF is committed to carrying on this legacy of health by providing both financial and leadership resources to enhance the health status of our community. In addition, the foundation holds the community's 20% ownership interest in WRMC and appoints 50% of the WRMC joint venture board to represent our community's healthcare interests.

The Foundation is an independent, non-profit governed by its own community board of directors.


down arrow
pink circle
runner
green circle