More than 100 leaders from Ascension Wisconsin joined over 1,000 healthcare professionals from across the state at the Wisconsin Hospital Association Advocacy Day in Madison on February 25, 2026 to discuss the most pressing healthcare challenges facing Wisconsin communities and engage directly with state lawmakers.

Hosted annually by the Wisconsin Hospital Association, Advocacy Day brings together hospital staff and leaders from across the state to learn about healthcare policy issues and meet with legislators to share insights from the front lines of patient care.

"For healthcare providers, advocacy is an extension of the care we deliver every day," said Alec Knutson, Chief Advocacy Officer for Ascension Wisconsin. "Events like Advocacy Day allow us to share real-world perspectives with policymakers about the challenges facing hospitals and the patients we serve. When lawmakers hear directly from healthcare professionals, it helps ensure policies are informed by the realities of patient care and the needs of our communities."

During the event, Ascension Wisconsin participated in the Quality Showcase held in the Capitol rotunda, highlighting innovative initiatives that improve patient outcomes.

Courtney Pickar, a perinatal clinical nurse specialist with Ascension Wisconsin, presented a maternal health quality initiative focused on reducing the need for blood transfusions by identifying and treating iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy. The initiative was developed after care teams observed a high incidence of blood transfusions among maternal patients and identified a pattern of women arriving for delivery with low blood counts.

Further review revealed that iron supplementation, a critical component in managing anemia during pregnancy, was not being optimized during prenatal appointments. In response, Ascension Wisconsin developed a toolkit that outlines recommended screening times for anemia during pregnancy and provides clear guidance on treatment options based on test results. This proactive approach helps ensure expectant mothers maintain healthy hemoglobin levels by the time of delivery, improving outcomes for both mothers and babies.

"We want the best outcomes for our moms and babies while in the hospital and after they leave," Pickar said. "We accomplish that by promoting healthy outcomes for both through a variety of initiatives. This is an example of just one of several efforts helping us achieve better outcomes for moms and their babies." Last year Ascension Wisconsin highlighted the efforts to reduce postpartum readmissions by early identification and treatment of hypertension. Learn more here.

For Ascension Wisconsin leaders and clinicians, Advocacy Day also provides an opportunity to strengthen relationships with policymakers and highlight the critical role hospitals play in their communities.

"This event gives our caregivers the opportunity to share their expertise and the innovative work happening across our hospitals," Knutson said. "The future of healthcare is shaped through informed dialogue, strong partnerships and a shared commitment to the health and well-being of the communities we serve."

Through events like Advocacy Day, healthcare professionals across Wisconsin can elevate the voices of patients, bring attention to the policy issues affecting care delivery and help shape a stronger, more responsive healthcare system for the future.