New film highlights healthcare history in La Crosse
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WXOW) – It’s more than just a documentary about a hospital. At least, that’s according to those involved with the new film that highlights the Mayo Clinic Health System – Franciscan Healthcare’s long history in La Crosse.
Called “Lighting the Flame” the film features the partnerships and parallels that formed the basis of what started as St. Francis Hospital.
“The constant through all of the years of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, the Skemp Clinic and the Mayo Clinic have been the values they shared,” said Tom Williams, the director of “Lighting the Flame”.
Williams said he hopes audiences value both the original images and score, as well as how his team condensed into 25 minutes 150 years worth of history, telling the story of how the organizations formed and eventually met in the place where three rivers meet. For some, telling a personal story that continues every day.
“The thing that hit me when I moved back to the area to practice was that there was just so many wonderful people that I work with every day,” said general surgeon Dr. Joseph Skemp. “Whether it’s physician colleagues, nursing staff, people that keep the lights on and the floors clean, and obviously the patients, it’s just been a wonderful experience.”
While Dr. Skemp carries on the legacy – now with 30 years at the facility of his forefathers – he said it’s nice to see how his family’s tradition of physical care ties in with the community’s spiritual health.
“We hoped we’d always balance the care of the body with the care of the soul,” said Sr. Celesta Day of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.
The film shows how this small religious group-some of whom emigrated from Bavaria in Germany-overcame personal tragedy, eventually making their way to La Crosse to establish Western Wisconsin’s first hospital, and the nation’s first practice of perpetual adoration.
“There was smallpox, diphtheria, typhoid, and then polio, HIV/AIDS and now COVID,” said Sr. Day. “The compassion that comes to the care of our friends and family–very important.”
“It’s also the story of the history of La Crosse, this burgeoning town on the western side of Wisconsin on the river. It’s exploding in growth. There are river boats coming in, but there are no medical facilities to take care of the thousands of people who have settled here,” said Mayo’s Dr. Paul Mueller, who is an executive sponsor of the film.
Not only does the film explain how care evolved on the banks of a booming river town, it also examines a history that’s surprising similar to another renowned provider—the Mayo Clinic itself in Rochester.
Dr. Mueller said, “You have the Franciscan Sisters in both cities partnering with two physician brothers to create great healthcare organizations.”
A piece of pride for those involved, Dr. Mueller said the film will resonate with audiences beyond the hospital walls.
“As I finished watching the film, I said to myself, ‘It’s all predicated on values.’”
“Lighting the Flame” is now available to stream on the Heritage Films page of the Mayo Clinic website. The page includes a variety of other stories related to the provider, including another that fans of the movie “Field of Dreams” might enjoy. Dr. Mueller said he was also involved in the piece called “The Real Moonlight Graham: A Life Well-Lived”.
“It turns out he was an even bigger human being than what’s portrayed in Field of Dreams, and we told that story,” said Dr. Mueller. “And if you watch it, Vin Scully, the voice of baseball is the moderator throughout.”
Both of the films can be found by clicking here.
