Health System Based in Appleton, Wis., Area Wins Business Award.

Byline: Avi Stern

Mar. 26--In his first full year as a chief executive officer, Dr. John Toussaint faces a series of challenges even veteran business leaders would consider intimidating.

In April, Toussaint assumed leadership of ThedaCare, a physician-led integrated health system. Within weeks of his appointment, the Fox Cities-based organization opened the floodgates on a series of initiatives:

* The Theda Clark Medical Center Foundation is contributing $7 million for improvements to trauma services at the Neenah hospital, including the replacement of the 20-year-old ThedaStar medical helicopter. The funds will pay for nearly half of $14 million in capital improvements directed at trauma treatment.

* ThedaCare is working with Milwaukee-based Children's Health System to launch the new $15 million Children's Hospital of Wisconsin-Fox Valley, which will be housed in Theda Clark. The new entity will encompass neonatal intensive care, pediatric physician offices and outpatient facilities.

* ThedaCare is building a $3.4 million cancer facility at Appleton Medical …