Elcho Area Health Planning, (EAHP) began when the concern of a group of citizens over the lack of adequate health and medical facilities resulted in a series of meetings beginning of May 1978. The group learned that a doctor might be interested in a part-time practice in the area. Additionally, we learned of a Rural Health Initiative grant program though the  U.S. Department of Health and Social Services for which we might qualify.

Kevin Keighron, the administrator of Langlade Memorial Hospital agreed to be our project director and the processes of becoming a corporation began. In June of 1978 Elcho Area Health Planning became a non-stock, non-profit corporation and thus became eligible to apply for the grant monies. 

In the interim, EAHP conducted further detailed feasibility study in addition to acquisition of land. With Dr. Robert Keener confirming his desire to practice part-time in Elcho, Dr. Keener was willing to take on these responsibilities. EAHP grant application  was intended to meet equipment and staffing needs for the clinic. EAHP successful vision allowed the new Elcho Medical Center to opened in November of 1979 with an official dedication on January 4, 1980.

Rural Health Initiative Program awarded EAHP/Elcho Medical Center an $80,000 grant in July of 1980 and with an additional application resulted in a $35,000 grant for 1981 funding year. In January of 1982 Dr. Keener took over complete responsibility for Elcho Medical Center. Dr. Keener then turned over the current amount of his accounts receivable to EAHP.

EAHP received complimentary comments from the regional directors of the Rural Health Initiative office stating our project exemplified the full intent of their funding, explaining the intent was to provide startup funding and assistance to enable the project to have a successful start; however, the intent was for it to be self-sustaining in the future. They also suggested that our group remain a corporate entity because our good record would stand us in advantageous position if  we applied for additional grant funding in the future.

Additionally, EAHP sponsored meetings, introducing new health care givers in the area, seminars and other health education events dealing with numerous health concerns, such as arthritis, cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, blood pressure, over the counter medications, smoking, and more.

Here is a timeline of EAHP previous programs and projects:

1981-1986

Teen Institute and Fort Wilderness in cooperation with the Langlade Health Care Center and Elcho School

1981-1984

Elcho School water fluoridation project (unsuccessful)

1983-1993

Cooperative Playtime

1984-1990

AA and Al Anon support and monitoring doors for meetings at Elcho School

1984

Health Fair in cooperation with Elcho School and area health care providers

1986-1998

Summer Recreation Program in cooperation with the Elcho Town Board. By 1998 due to lack of interest and participation only Volleyball (with nets, balls, and upkeep of courts on the Elcho Town village green supplied by EAHP) survived until dismantling of the court for the new Elcho Firehouse.

1987

Installation of playground equipment at Summit Lake

1989-1995

Cholesterol Screening in cooperation with Langlade Memorial Hospital.

1990-currently

Scholarship to Elcho High School graduate pursuing study in health field. This scholarship is open to past and future graduates of Elcho High School. The amount of the current scholarship is $500 awarded in two payments after EAHP get notice of successful completion of the students first, and second semester grades proving enrollment in health field.

1996-2014

Training sponsored for teacher (Margie Vogel) in cooperation with the Langlade Committee on Aging to establish the exercise program Body Recall with classes held at the Elcho UCC Church. Sue Mackowski became the teacher for the ongoing program in 2012 now called Elcho Fun & Fit.

1999-2000

Ballroom Dance program

1999

Campaign to make Elcho restaurants smoke free (unsuccessful)

1999-2002

Participated in the Tobacco Cessation Coalition activities

1999-currently

Brat Barn fund raising efforts for the group

2007

Campaign to re-establish a pharmacy in Elcho (unsuccessful)

Post Prom Activities donation, Youth Center & other community needs.

2008-current

Supported Highway 45 corridor for non-motorized recreation trail project – walk & bike path from Elcho to veteran’s park.

2010

Worked with Elcho Town Board to inform people in our area of emergency numbers and places for people to go in time of crisis or power outages.

We are in the fund raising stages of the Bike and Pedestrian Trail Project. TAP Grant application has been submitted, and have support of our project from the Elcho Town Board.