Pat and Dr. John Honish have been donors to The Bellin Health Foundation for 18 years. Before retirement, Dr. Honish was a physician at the Oconto Memorial Hospital. The Honish’s donate specifically to the Bellin Health Oconto Hospital because they want to make sure there is local, quality healthcare where they live. Dr. John Honish and Pat met in Madison while Dr. Honish was attending medical school at UW-Madison. He started his general practice medical clinic in Oconto in 1965 because it had a hospital in town that could best serve his patients.
Dr. Honish said, “We were really upset when the old Oconto Memorial Hospital closed. After the hospital closed for a few years, many supportive and collaborative individuals searched for a partner to build a new hospital, and Bellin stepped up. We started to get active in helping secure funds to support this effort because a local hospital is near and dear to us. It is important for us that our community has access to healthcare.”
Dr. Honish and Pat are proud to be citizens of Oconto. The Honish’s are big supporters of their church and help support organizations and events that happen in Oconto, such as the Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Honish and Pat also help with meal delivery for the Oconto Meals on Wheels program.
Dr. Honish and Pat are proud to support the Bellin Health Oconto Hospital and became supportive when the new Bellin Oconto Hospital opened. They would like to be remembered for their legacy and commitment to the Bellin Health Oconto Hospital and to the city of Oconto. The Honish’s are philanthropic because they truly love where they worked and live.
Tell us a little about your family and hobbies:
"We have four children: Eric, Craig, Diane and David. Altogether, we have nine grandchildren. One of our grandchildren works for Bellin Psychiatric Center. When we could, we used to love to travel. Some of our favorite places we have gone are Egypt, Alaska and going fishing in Canada. We are also avid golfers and have golfed on over one hundred courses in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan."
What advice do you have for any new donors:
"We hope that new donors may also see the need for a local hospital and choose to donate to Bellin Health Oconto Hospital and Medical Clinics. This hospital is so necessary for our community and the surrounding areas."