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Affinity Health System’s long-time commitment to the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and the northeastern Wisconsin community was recognized Sept. 16 with the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Foundation’s second Collaboration in Action Leadership Award.

The honor acknowledges Affinity for the organization’s commitment to collaboration between higher education, business and community. The award was presented during the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Foundation’s Community Breakfast.

“The leadership of Affinity Health Systems has provided valuable service to our University over the years,” said John Wollner ’95 MBA, chairman of of the Foundation’s Outreach Committee and Corporate Relations Director at Thrivant Financial for Lutherans in Appleton. “Currently, Dan Neufelder, president and CEO of Affinity Health System, is serving on the Chancellor’s Council of Advisors.  Further service is given by Tom Veeser, Chief Nursing Officer, who serves on the College of Nursing’s Board of Visitors.

Affinity Health System also has long been a generous financial supporter of the university. They have supported UW Oshkosh by providing money for scholarships and endowments, and have provided seed funding for the University’s Accelerated Nursing Program. They have also been valuable partners with UW Oshkosh in the Living Healthy Community Clinic, which provides care to hundreds who live without health insurance.”

A little more than a year ago, the University’s College of Nursing and Affinity embarked on a new venture together: the Clinical Nurse Leader program. Affinity generously pays 100 percent of the salary and benefits for a joint employee who facilitates the master’s degree within her healthcare system and donates 50 percent of her time back to the college. Affinity has also provided funding for a number of scholarships and endowments, as well as money for the new training room at the Oshkosh Sports Complex.

“Programs like these play an important role in improving the quality of life for residents of northeastern Wisconsin’s New North – and allow the College of Nursing to serve as a leader in nursing education,” said Rosemary Smith, dean of the College of Nursing. “Affinity Health Systems’ valuable work protects the health of our community through the services they provide and by investing in the future through our students and initiatives.”

“It is our honor to work together with Chancellor Wells and his inspired leadership team,” said Dan Neufelder, president and CEO of Affinity Health System. “We are excited about the future.”

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