News: Greenwood - Dr. Wm. A. Olson Health Prog. Lauded (1963)

Contact: Betty Comstock

Email:  comstock@stateline-isp.com

Surnames:  Olson, Braun, Christie, Nielsen, Steiger, Landi, Bartels

------ Source: Scrapbook of Agnes (Bizjak) Wehrmann (Marshfield News Herald)

ROLE OF GREENWOOD PHYSICIAN IN HEALTH PROGRAM IS LAUDED

Featured in the June issue of the Wisconsin School Board news is an article describing the contribution of Dr. William A. Olson, Greenwood, to a unique health program in Greenwood schools.

Each week Dr. Olson donates a half day to serving the Greenwood schools as a professional assistant in the special health program.  All school children in the community, public and private, are included in the program.

The program includes such services as physical examinations for students and athletes, eye and ear examinations, maintenance of complete pupil health records, and counseling on pupil health programs.

In the report published in the Wisconsin School Board News, Dr. Olson said that he appreciates the opportunity to extend greater health services to the Greenwood area children for it was he “who brought most of them into the world.”

The “News” is a monthly journal published by the Wisconsin Association of School Boards, and circulates among school board members, superintendents and school business managers throughout the state.

In evaluating the unique health program at Greenwood, Dr. Olson said “a mere survey of health deficiencies to fill up the pupil’s health record in the school files is a waste of time.  It isn’t our record system which enlists our pride, but we are proud of the improvement in the health conditions of our boys and girls.”

As part of the health program, parents are notified by the school of any physical deficiencies or health complications which their children may have.

Greenwood Board of Education members Clayton Braun, Arthur Christie, Aage A. Nielsen, Kenneth Steiger and Louis Landi and Kenneth F. Bartels, school superintendent, commend Dr. Olson for his “fine example of community spirit.”

Dr. Olson has delivered considerably more than 4,000 babies since he established his medical practice in Greenwood in 1933.  He eliminated obstetrics from his practice early in the 1960s, but continues to serve his patients in other branches of medicine.

Born in Blanchardville, June 21, 1902, he was graduated from Wisconsin State University, Platteville in 1922; received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in 1930, and his medical degree from the same university two years later.

He interned at the University of Michigan State Hospital, Ann Arbor, Mich., and did graduate work at Cook County Hospital before coming to Greenwood.  A member of the staff of St. Joseph’s Hospital, Marshfield he was elected chief of the hospital medical staff in 1955.

In May of 1960, Dr. Olson was honored by more than 400 persons in a ceremony following a dinner in the Greenwood High School auditorium.  Special guests at that time included many of the “babies” delivered by the doctor in the Greenwood area.