SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital receives funds for ECMO system

February 23, 2026

FOND DU LAC – The Agnesian HealthCare Foundation donated $97,128 to SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital to purchase a CentriMag Acute Circulatory Support (ECMO) System, enhancing advanced cardiac and respiratory care for patients across the region.

Jen Schmitz – SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital surgical and procedural services director – said ECMO provides temporary support for failing hearts or lungs during cardiac arrest, severe respiratory illness or after heart surgery. 

Schmitz said the new system will replace aging equipment and improve the speed, safety and reliability of life-critical interventions.

“This technology truly represents a major leap forward in the lifesaving care we can provide,” she said. “Right now, transferring patients requires a short pause in support and a few extra steps. The CentriMag system makes this much easier. It lets care teams move patients smoothly and safely, with transitions happening in just seconds.”

Mason Gravelle – philanthropy development manager at Agnesian HealthCare Foundation – said by supporting the CentriMag ECMO system, “we are giving families precious time, patients renewed hope and care teams the tools they need when life hangs in the balance.”

Gravelle said this gift continues the foundation’s mission to fund transformational technology and patient-centered initiatives that strengthen health outcomes in the Fond du Lac community.

“This gift is a promise to our community that we will continue to be there for them in their most fragile and urgent moments,” he said.