SSM Health - Madison
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St. Mary's Hospital serves south-central Wisconsin and offers a full range of inpatient and outpatient health care services. https://ssmhealth.com The St.
Clinical areas of expertise include cardiovascular care, obstetrics and neuroscience. Mary's campus includes state-of-the-art operating rooms and emergency department with bed-side registration. Mary's also has been recognized a Magnet Hospital for its nursing excellence since 2002 and an established part of the Madison community since 1912.
09/28/2026
Get to Know Your Caregiver
Sara Kaczmarek, DO, is a new Family Medicine provider at SSM Health Outpatient Center, 960 Valley Road, Verona. She earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her residency training with SSM Health Monroe Clinic Medical Group.
Dr. Kaczmarek provides comprehensive care for patients of all ages, treating minor illnesses and injuries as well as a wide range of chronic conditions. She is especially passionate about caring for children and enjoys helping patients address women's health concerns, hypermobility, and dysautonomia.
Dr. Kaczmarek is accepting new patients. To learn more or schedule an appointment, visit https://www.getcare.ssmhealth.com/find-a-doctor/doctor-details/sara-kaczmarek-do .
Q: What are the most common conditions you see patients for?
A: In addition to caring for patients with minor illnesses and injuries, I provide care for a variety of chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, anxiety and depression. I also perform in-office procedures such as skin biopsies and joint injections for pain management.
Q: What are your specific medical interests within your specialty?
A: I enjoy caring for patients of all ages, but I especially love working with children. I also enjoy providing Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) and helping patients manage hypermobility and dysautonomia.
Q: How would you describe your approach to patient care?
A: I believe in listening to my patients first and foremost. Understanding their concerns, goals and experiences helps me provide personalized, collaborative care.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your role?
A: I enjoy caring for entire families throughout their lives and building strong, lasting relationships with them over time.
Q: What do you like to do when you're not at work?
A: I enjoy traveling, hiking, attending sporting events, playing Pokémon Go, and spending time on creative hobbies such as scrapbooking, puzzles, and diamond art.
Q: What are some of your favorite places you've traveled to?
A: Some of my favorite trips have included traveling through Europe with my best friend, visiting Nashville with my mom and spending time in Uganda while pursuing my Global Health degree in college. I also enjoyed backpacking through national parks in Washington state with friends from college.
Q: What is something unique about you?
A: Squirrels are my favorite animals.
Looking for smoother, brighter, more radiant skin? ✨
This October, enjoy 20% off laser treatments at the SSM Health Aesthetic Center in Middleton. Schedule today and discover a customized treatment plan designed for you.
Learn more: https://www.ssmhealth.com/locations/location-details/aesthetic-center?campaignid=26337&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid&hgcrm_trackingsetid=70033
09/24/2026
Some moments in healthcare leave a lasting impression, and some caregivers do too.
Congratulations to SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - Madison RN Alyssa V. for earning a DAISY Award in recognition of her exceptional compassion and dedication. By taking the time to truly listen and advocate for those in her care, Alyssa helped create a meaningful experience for a patient and family when they needed it most.
Thank you, Alyssa, for bringing kindness, empathy, and excellence to every interaction. We are proud to celebrate you!
09/24/2026
Get to Know Your Caregiver
Dr. Julibeth Alvarez is an ophthalmologist at the new SSM Health Outpatient Center, located at 960 Valley Road in Verona. Dr. Alvarez earned her medical degree from Universidad Central de Venezuela in Caracas, Venezuela. She has completed multiple fellowships, including a Global Ophthalmology Fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.
To schedule an appointment, visit https://www.getcare.ssmhealth.com/find-a-doctor/doctor-details/julibeth-m-alvarez-md or call 608-282-2020.
Q: Why did you choose your specialty?
A: Ophthalmology is the perfect combination of medicine and surgery. I enjoy caring for patients at every stage of life, and it is incredibly rewarding to help people preserve or regain their vision.
Q: What are the most common conditions you see patients for?
A: I frequently help patients with dry eye, cataracts, glaucoma, and eye infections.
Q: How would you describe your approach to patient care?
A: I want my patients to know they are important to me. When I am with them, they have my full attention and focus.
Q: Do you have a family?
A: I have been married to my husband, Luis, since 1997, and we have three amazing children: Luis, Andrea, and Isabella. We also have two four-legged "kids" who are not as well behaved, our dogs Max and Churro.
Q: What is something unique about you?
A: I am very persistent when pursuing a goal.
Q: What is your favorite holiday and why?
A: My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. For my family, it is an opportunity to pause from our busy routines, spend time together, enjoy delicious food, and reflect on all that we are grateful for.
09/23/2026
6,054 diapers. Countless acts of generosity. 💙
Thank you to everyone who supported this year's Babies & Beyond of WI, Inc. Diaper Drive. SSM Health is proud to partner with Babies & Beyond - and truly grateful for every donated diaper. The 6,054 diapers donated at our collection sites will help provide an essential resource for local families and support approximately 25 children for a month.
For Diane Mertens and Larry Neuman, travel is more than a hobby. It's a lifelong passion fueled by curiosity, adventure, and a desire to learn more about history and culture.
The couple took their first trip together to Mazatlán, Mexico, after marrying in 1984. Since then, they've been to more than 47 countries together.
While their getaway destinations vary, one part of their travel preparations remains constant: a visit to SSM Health Travel Medicine.
"We didn't know about Travel Medicine when we first started traveling, but as we learned and experienced more, it became a vital part of our process before leaving," Neuman said.
Travel Medicine offers destination-specific information about health risks, disease outbreaks, travel advisories, and recommended immunizations.
Diane and Larry don't consider themselves travel experts. They rely on Travel Medicine specialist Cara Moll, PA-C to ensure they are fully prepared for each adventure.
Moll provides much more than immunizations. She also offers vital education about how to avoid risks, manage pre-existing conditions, and be prepared for the unexpected by providing travel-related medications – like those that help with altitude sickness or gastrointestinal illnesses.
"We have seen first-hand how many travelers are truly unprepared for challenges when they are abroad and in places that are so different from the United States,” Mertens said. “We like knowing we have done everything we can to stay well, and that we’ve been given strategies if something were to occur.”
From India to Ghana, Kenya, Spain, Vietnam and everywhere in between – Moll has offered practical guidance that has made a difference.
“She always goes through our health records with a fine-tooth comb,” Neuman said.
The couple appreciates Cara's thorough approach and caring, warm personality. They’re happy to have Moll as part of their care.
“We often read about different places or meet people from different countries and decide visiting their homeland would be interesting,” Mertens said. “We’re glad we have Cara to be able to help us, regardless of where we head off to.”
Great trips start with all the right resources to help keep you healthy. Advanced planning is recommended, but even community members with trips less than 6-8 weeks away can benefit from many available resources and vaccines.
To schedule an appointment with Moll, call 608-252-8020 or visit https://www.getcare.ssmhealth.com/find-a-doctor/doctor-details/cara-e-moll-pa-c to learn more.
09/21/2026
You can help make a lifesaving difference by donating at the upcoming ImpactLife Blood Drive from Noon-5 pm on Thursday, September 24, at SSM Health Dean Medical Group, 1821 S. Stoughton Road, Madison.
The blood drive is open to both SSM Health caregivers and community members and will be held in the Marble and Granite classroom. Appointments are recommended by calling 1-800-747-5401 or visiting https://login.bloodcenter.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/145511 .
09/20/2026
With measles cases increasing in southwestern Wisconsin, knowing what to do if symptoms develop can help protect others.
Measles symptoms often include:
🌡️ Fever
😷 Cough
👃 Runny nose
👀 Red, watery eyes
🔴 Spreading rash
If you or your child have symptoms or may have been exposed, call your health care provider before arriving at a clinic, urgent care or emergency department. Our care teams can help guide your next steps while protecting other patients and families.
Learn more: https://www.ssmhealth.com/public-health/measles
09/19/2026
🚩 A message says you've won a free Medicare kit.
🚩 A caller wants to verify your Medicare number.
🚩 An email pressures you to act immediately.
These are common tactics scammers use to steal personal information.
If you receive a suspicious phone call, email or text claiming to be from Medicare, MyChart or your health care provider, stop and verify before responding.
Find out what red flags to watch for and how to keep your information safe: https://www.ssmhealth.com/newsroom/blogs/ssm-health-matters/august-2026/mychart-kit-scam
🔒 Protect your personal, financial and health information.
Received a Call About Medicare? A "Free" MyChart Kit? It's Probably a Scam. Scammers often try to take advantage of trusted organizations to collect personal information. Recently, healthcare organizations across the country have reported fraudulent phone calls and emails that use Medicare, MyChart or healthcare provider names to appear legitimate.
09/18/2026
⏰ It's not too late to support Babies & Beyond of WI, Inc.'s 12th Annual Diaper Drive!
The community diaper drive wraps up on September 20, and there's still time to make a difference for local families.
Did you know that 1 in 2 families experiences diaper need? Your donation can help provide babies with a healthy start and give parents one less thing to worry about.
SSM Health is proud to partner with Babies & Beyond Wisconsin and serve as a collection site sponsor during this year's diaper drive.
📍 SSM Health Dean Medical Group, 1821 S. Stoughton Road
📍 SSM Health Dean Medical Group, 752 N. High Point Road
📍 SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital, 700 S. Brooks St.
📍 SSM Health Outpatient Center, 703 S. Brooks St.
📍 SSM Health Dean Medical Group, 1211 Fish Hatchery Road
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700 S Park Street
Madison, WI
53715