What a Team: The Sisters of the Divine Savior and People of Portage

The names have changed but the dedication and commitment of the people of Portage and the Sisters of the Divine Savior has remained. From St. Savior’s to Divine Savior to Divine Savior Healthcare; from Sisters Liboria, Nicoletta and Beatrix to Sisters Beverly and Pat, from Doctors A. J. Batty, C. W. Henney and Byron Meacher to the excellent medical team today, the reason for being remains the same as the Credo states, “Caring for life is our reason for being.”

St. Savior’s Hospital was officially dedicated on May 17, 1917. The people of Portage had asked the Sisters of the Divine Savior at Columbus, Wisconsin, to start a hospital. The city guaranteed they would donate $10,000 toward the construction if the Sisters would match the contribution. Former mayor Alois Zienert donated the land. The first Salvatorian superior was Sister Liboria Hansknecht. She was joined by Sisters Beatrix Braml, Nicoletta Baus, Carola Schlang, Ludmilla Sendner, Luciana Riemer, Dominica Vieregg and Thaddaea Igla.

Over the years there were additions and many changes as the hospital and nursing home sought to respond to the needs of the area. On January 10, 2000, Divine Savior Healthcare opened the doors of its new Medical Center on Eastridge Drive. The Medical Center encompasses Home Care, Community Health Education, Rehabilitation Services, Occupational Health, Physical Medicine, Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Diagnostics and Orthopedic Surgery. On October 11, 2003, a state-of-the-art hospital opened adjacent to the Medical Center. All of this was made possible by the generosity and caring of so many people.

The Sisters of the Divine Savior put the patients’ needs foremost and, over the decades, never stopped inviting others to collaborate in their mission of caring for the people of the Portage area. The first lay administrator of their hospital was Kenneth Van Bree who was appointed in 1967. Today Michael Decker and his administrative team continue this collaboration with the Board of Directors.

The Divine Savior Healthcare team includes administrators, doctors, nurses, staff, volunteers, board members and a community that continues to support this vital ministry in extraordinary ways. This is not “just a job” but a mission shared that impacts their lives and the community. We are grateful that they share our commitment and provide the excellence and service necessary to continue our healing ministry in Portage.