This year marks a special milestone for Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin (GHC-SCW) — 20 years of partnership and community connection through the Madison Public Schools Foundation’s Adopt-a-School program. GHC-SCW is being recognized for the longevity of its meaningful Adopt-a-School partnerships at the Foundation’s Schools Make Madison Summit on Wednesday, April 30, at Thermo Fisher Scientific.
In 2005, GHC-SCW became the first organization to embrace the mission of supporting Madison’s public
schools through the program. Founder and former GHC-SCW Chief Executive Officer Larry Zanoni
participated in a Principal for a Day at Crestwood Elementary School. Zanoni’s experience inspired him
to look for an opportunity for GHC-SCW to be a resource for schools with health and service needs.
Collaborative planning efforts with Leopold Elementary staff and the Madison Public Schools Foundation
led to GHC-SCW establishing an Adopt-a-School partnership with Leopold. This marked the beginning of
a lasting commitment to enhance education, enrich student experiences and help create brighter
futures – one classroom at a time, as GHC-SCW expanded to forming additional Adopt-a-School
partnerships.
Over the last twenty years, GHC-SCW has impacted six local schools: Allis Elementary School, Anana
Elementary School, Badger Rock Middle School, Leopold Elementary School, Sandburg Elementary
School and Thoreau Elementary School. A few ways that GHC-SCW staff have been involved in Adopt-a
School over the past 20 years include:
Provided a medical home and access to free services to uninsured Leopold children.
Participated in crock pot cooking classes with students and families.
Donated medical supplies for nurse’s offices.
Assembled winter break boxes, which consisted of food, games, household items, warm clothing and toys for the students.
Provided language line access (ways for students and families to communicate with others when they don’t speak the same language) and provided Spanish interpreters or member liaisons for families.
Donated healthy snacks and fitness devices for physical activities.
In 2010, the Adopt-a-School program expanded to include the Primary Access for Kids program. GHC
SCW worked with the Dane County Health Council to expand the program model to ensure that all
children in the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) had access to quality health care. They
began partnering with additional local healthcare partners and providers for all 50 MMSD schools, giving
access to preventative and primary care for all uninsured children at no cost.
In 2017, GHC-SCW employees started an initiative to ease the burden on local families during the
holidays. Employees bought gifts from the families’ wish lists and delivered them directly to the Adopt-a
School partner schools in time for school social workers to distribute to families before the holidays. This
program continues today, bringing joy and relief to families in need during the holiday season and
strengthening the cooperative spirit within the GHC-SCW community.
“As we look back on 20 years with the Adopt-a-School program, we feel such a sense of pride in what
this partnership has become,” said Dr. Mark Huth, President and Chief Executive Officer of GHC-SCW.
“What started as a simple idea — finding ways for GHC-SCW to support local schools — has turned into
two decades of connection, care and community. Along the way, we’ve built lasting relationships with
students, families and educators who continue to inspire us.”
“For two decades, GHC-SCW has shown what it truly means to stand beside our public schools,” said
Madison Public Schools Foundation President Melinda Heinritz. “Their commitment as an Adopt-a
School partner has been steady, heartfelt and deeply impactful, grounded in real relationships and a
desire to meet the needs of students and families in meaningful ways. A partnership like this creates
lasting ripple effects in classrooms, homes and communities across Madison. We’re so proud to
celebrate this incredible 20-year legacy together.” Huth reinforced GHC-SCW’s continuing commitment
to the Madison Public Schools Foundation: “When we support our schools, we’re supporting the future
of our community. Twenty years might sound like a long time, but our work with them is just getting
started.”
About Madison Public Schools Foundation
The Madison Public Schools Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting
public education in Madison. Since 2001, the Foundation has secured over $40 million in resources to
benefit the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD). The Foundation convenes community
organizations and businesses through the Adopt-a-School program, distributes essential classroom
supplies via the Teacher Support Network, and provides fiscal oversight for 170 school-based
endowment funds. It also advocates on behalf of public education in Madison and across Wisconsin. All
contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
About GHC-SCW
Proudly serving over 73,000 members, Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin (GHC-SCW)
is Wisconsin’s first, and Dane County’s only, member-owned, nonprofit health care cooperative,
ensuring patients and members are at the top of the leadership chart, giving them a voice in their health
care. Services extend across greater Dane County and select areas in South Central Wisconsin, offering
insurance coverage and clinical care. Celebrating almost 50 years, GHC-SCW is the first health plan in
Wisconsin to offer patients a money-back guarantee if they are dissatisfied with their experience at a
GHC-SCW clinic. GHC-SCW is perennially a national leader in quality. In 2024, GHC-SCW achieved a 4.5
out of 5 rating among private commercial plans according to the National Committee for Quality
Assurance (NCQA) report cards. To learn more about GHC-SCW, visit ghcscw.com.