Rogers marks Ladish Center grand opening with ribbon cutting and tours
08/13/21 11:55:am
Rogers celebrated the grand opening of the Ladish Co. Foundation Center on August 11 with tours, remarks, and a ribbon cutting. Located on the Oconomowoc campus, the Ladish Center is a restorative, stigma-free gathering place for patient families and community members, which was made possible by a $2 million donation from the Ladish Co. Foundation and a collaborative partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities® Eastern Wisconsin (RMHC).
“After many months and years in development, it’s an exciting day to open the Ladish Center,” said Pat Hammer, Rogers president and CEO, at the event. “It is a one-of-its-kind mental health resource center and will take our support for families and the community to the next level. We are very grateful to our board of directors, generous donors and partners, our architect and construction partners, and all the people providing services in this facility.”
“I am beyond proud of the patient and family support that will be offered,” added Bob Olson, Rogers board member. “To all those who are here today, I want to express my gratitude for your ongoing commitment and advocacy. And to the Rogers employees who are here with us today, the insight, kindness, respect, and dignity you give is remembered every day in the people you treat.”
Held days before the Ladish Center opened to families and the community on Aug. 16, the celebration was attended by representatives and board members from Rogers and RMHC® Eastern WI, donors, elected officials, community partners, and the architect and construction partners.
“This is our type of project,” said Gary Vroman, a trustee from the Ladish Co. Foundation. “We like to help people who help people. Beautiful things are going to happen in this building. This is a building that’s going to be filled with hope and healing and its ability to change people’s lives.”
Ann Petrie, president and CEO of RMHC® Eastern Wisconsin, also spoke at the event, where she discussed how having family members nearby positively impacts a patient’s recovery.
“Ronald McDonald House has been serving Rogers families for over 10 years,” Ann said. “We are grateful to the Rogers Foundation for putting their trust in the Ronald McDonald House to do what we do best, which is supporting families who are going through tough health situations with their child.”
The Family Room Program within the Ladish Center allows both families residing at RMHC® Eastern WI as well as other Rogers families to benefit from a supportive, comforting environment that is just footsteps away from where their child is receiving treatment. Out of more than 300 Family Rooms worldwide, this is only the second to be located within a behavioral health facility.
Kelly Piacsek, PhD, vice president of the Research Center, shared with guests how the Research Center is taking Rogers’ research to the next level, accelerating its learnings and delivering innovations to the field that improve effectiveness of mental health practices.
“The Rogers Research Center pursues clinically relevant, high-quality research to answer questions and pursue advancements that will help us realize a future where mental illness can be predicted and prevented, treatment is accessible to all, and sustainable recovery is achieved more quickly,” Dr. Piacsek said.
Additionally, the Ladish Center features an array of hospitality and spiritual care services, including the Tadross Family Chapel and meditation garden, in addition to a Great Hall, board room, and community rooms for support groups, alumni events, Parent University, and other special events for Rogers staff, families, and friends.
As Michael Witte, a chaplain at Rogers, told guests, “The Ladish Center will offer healing and hope, and inclusivity where patients, families, partners, employees, and volunteers all feel a sense of belonging, respect, dignity, and support.”
How you can get involved
The Rogers Behavioral Health Foundation is seeking volunteers to help create a warm and welcoming environment for guests visiting the Family Room. Volunteers will assist with greeting and checking in families and maintaining a clean, well-organized, and stocked environment.
One four-hour shift is required every other week with at least a one-year commitment. Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older to apply.
Learn more about volunteering here. Please feel free to share the information with someone you know who understands the struggles of families whose children are receiving mental health treatment.
