NEENAH, Wis. – ThedaCare is highlighting a significant milestone in the Graduate Medical Education (GME) Program by celebrating the first Match Day, welcoming the inaugural class of resident physicians who will train, care for patients and build their careers within the communities ThedaCare serves.
Match Day is an annual event, held nationally on the third Friday of March, when most soon- to-be graduating medical students across the country, and many physicians in practice, learn where they will complete their residency training. This experience is the hands-on, post-graduate clinical education that shapes the next generation of physicians.
“This moment represents more than an academic achievement. It reflects a long-term commitment to the future health and vitality of the region,” said Lynn Detterman, president of the North Region of Froedtert ThedaCare. “This first Match Day is the culmination of years of intentional planning and collaboration to build a sustainable physician workforce for the future.”
ThedaCare’s future residents were selected from nearly 2,000 applications. They completed several interviews with ThedaCare physicians and allied health professionals, and being ranked based on their accomplishments, interpersonal skills and fit for the health care organization.
The GME program received accreditation in September 2025, and will welcome the first internal medicine residents on July 1, 2026.
Addressing Physician Shortages Through Local Training
ThedaCare is one of the first health systems in northeast and central Wisconsin to offer an accredited GME program. The program was created to help address physician shortages across Wisconsin, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Data from the Wisconsin Hospital Association shows Wisconsin needs between 2,000 and 4,000 additional physicians by 2035. Studies show nearly 55% of individuals who complete residency training remain in the community in which they train to practice medicine. Further, 70% of physicians stay in the state when they complete both their GME and residency in the same state.
“By establishing a locally based program, ThedaCare is strengthening the pipeline of physicians who understand – and are committed to – the unique needs of the region,” said Dr. Paul Bergl, Internal Medicine Residency Program Director. “By training physicians here at ThedaCare, we are investing directly in the long-term health of our patients, our communities and our organization.”
Froedtert ThedaCare is working in concert with the Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals for the GME program to advance knowledge and train future medical professionals. The effort strategically supports the health system’s mission of advancing the health of the communities through excellence and discovery.
“The GME program is a strategic investment in a more resilient and accessible health care system,” said Detterman. “We’re proud to welcome this cohort group of residents who will serve an essential role in caring for patients today and leading the future of medicine. Over time, the GME program will play a critical role in expanding access to care, strengthening rural health and ensuring more physicians choose to live and practice in Wisconsin.”
Community Engagement
In 2025, the health care system announced the development of townhouses for future medical residents. The on-campus housing for residents and fellows can allow residents to focus more on training, while caring for patients and families.
The property is adjacent to ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah at the corner of 1st Street and E. Forest Ave. on Doty Island. Approximately 56 townhouses are being built in two phases. The first phase consists of two buildings and 28 units on the west half of the property. Construction began in October 2025, and is expected to be complete in summer 2026. The second phase consists of two buildings and 28 units on the east half of the property, with construction beginning in fall 2026. Plans call for 32 one-bedroom and 24 two-bedroom townhouses. Each unit would have an attached one- or two-car garage.
For more information about ThedaCare’s Graduate Medical Education Program, visit ThedaCare.org/about-us/medical-education/graduate-medical-education/.
About ThedaCare
For more than 115 years, ThedaCare® has been improving the health and well-being of the communities it serves in northeast and central Wisconsin. The organization delivers care to more than 650,000 residents in 17 counties, and employs approximately 7,000 providers and team members at 180 points of care, including 10 hospitals. As an organization committed to being a leader in Population Health, team members are dedicated to empowering people to live their unique, best lives. ThedaCare is a not-for-profit health system with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs, as well as primary care. ThedaCare also partners with communities to understand needs, find solutions together, and encourage health awareness and action. ThedaCare is part of Froedtert ThedaCare, Wisconsin’s most comprehensive health care system.
About Froedtert ThedaCare
Froedtert ThedaCare is an integrated health care system serving nearly half of Wisconsin’s population. Its 28,000+ team members, physicians and clinicians are transforming communities through prediction, prevention and partnerships with excellence in primary and specialty care in 20 hospitals and more than 360 outpatient locations. Together with the Medical College of Wisconsin, we form the region’s only academic medical center, providing the foundation for groundbreaking medical research and excellence in education to accelerate discovery and drive innovation. The system is uniquely positioned to be the trusted partner in advancing the health of our communities. For more information, visit thedacare.org or follow ThedaCare on social media. Members of the media should call Cassandra Wallace, Director of Strategic Communications, at 920.442.0328.
