Gundersen Lutheran Health System Inc.
03/13/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/13/2026 14:45
Honoring the Life and Legacy of Dr. A. Erik Gundersen
Emplify Health is mourning the passing of a truly remarkable physician and person, Dr. A. Erik Gundersen. Patients and colleagues alike held him in the highest esteem, and he earned the affectionate nickname 'Dr. Erik' from those who knew him best.
Dr. Erik passed away March 8 at the age of 95, leaving behind a legacy that has shaped our organization and touched countless lives throughout our community. A Celebration of Life is being planned in Dr. Erik's honor on April 25.
Dr. Erik was a La Crosse native, the son of Dr. and Mrs. Alf Gundersen. He attended Dartmouth College, followed by Harvard Medical School. He completed two years of surgical training at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, followed by two years of service as a Captain in the United States Army. After six additional months of general surgical training, Dr. Erik completed two years senior surgical training at Boston's Children's Hospital and a final year of training back at Mass General Hospital. He then completed one-and-a-half years of thoracic surgery training in Norway and England.
Dr. Erik was a pioneer in every sense of the word. In 1967, he founded the Gundersen Cardiac Surgery program and performed our institution's first coronary revascularization-a groundbreaking achievement that opened new possibilities for cardiac care in our region. His passion for his work was unmatched, and he quickly became revered not only for his exceptional surgical skill and outstanding outcomes, but also for the kindness and warmth he brought to every interaction.
As Dr. Venki Paramesh, a long-time Emplify Health by Gundersen cardiothoracic surgeon, shares: "Although I did not have the privilege of operating alongside Dr. Erik, I was fortunate to seek his guidance on several complex cases. Each time, Dr. Erik was eager to meet, share his insights, and teach from his tremendous experience. He will be deeply missed by all who had the honor of knowing him."
Dr. Erik's commitment to our organization extended well beyond his distinguished medical career. Following his retirement from clinical practice, he devoted nearly two decades of service to the Gundersen Medical Foundation as vice chairman, retiring in October 2020 after 20 years of dedicated leadership. During that time, he supported the Gundersen Medical Foundation through wide-ranging efforts to, in his own words, 'move medicine forward.'
His approach to philanthropy was deeply personal-he visited donors during their hospital stays to thank them for their support, a gesture that reflected his genuine gratitude and humanity. He took pride in his authentic approach to what he called 'friend-raising,' always emphasizing that his motivation was never about donations themselves, but about building meaningful relationships centered on our shared commitment to patient care and community health.
Dr. Stephen Shapiro, Gundersen Medical Foundation Chair, offers these comments: "Dr. Erik's career was truly exceptional through helping patients as a surgeon, leader and a philanthropic champion. He was absolutely masterful at sharing the Gundersen story with patients, families and the community to achieve the highest quality patient care and experience. Skilled, compassionate, humble and utterly devoted to serving others, Dr. Erik has left a positive, permanent mark on this region."
Even in his later years, Dr. Erik remained remarkably active, both in spirit and on the tennis court. Those who knew him will remember his vitality, his unwavering dedication to excellence, and his genuine care for others. Dr. Erik's legacy lives on in the Cardiac Surgery program he built, in the countless lives he saved and improved, in the Gundersen Medical Foundation work he championed, and in the example he set for all of us about what it means to be a physician.
We are grateful for the 95 years of Dr. Erik's remarkable life and for the indelible mark he has left on our organization and our community.
Gundersen Lutheran Health System Inc. published this content on March 13, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 13, 2026 at 20:45 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]