Conversations with Kathy's House

Hosted by Gerry Steele is a Kathy’s House ally and healthcare communication professional. For more than a decade, she's had the privilege to share the experiences of individuals going through life-changing medical journeys and learn from their courage and wisdom.

Education Health FitnessInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Welcome to Conversations with Kathy’s House where we’ll explore how to support families who are experiencing personal illness or the serious illness of a loved one - one of life’s most stressful situations. Learn more at kathys-house.org.

Listen to episodes

37 recent

October 2, 202616 min

Derek Goodman, Kathy's House President & CEO Shares His First Impressions & Looks to the Future

In August, the Kathy’s House board of directors announced that Derek Goodman joined the organization as its new President & CEO. Derek brings nearly 25 years of experience working for mission-driven organizations, including 17 years in leadership roles. Most recently, he served as President and CEO of St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care, where he led the organization through a pivotal leadership transition and developed a strategic blueprint for sustainable, long-term growth. Derek will collaborate with the eight-person staff, board of directors and many volunteers to advance the organization’s mission of providing affordable lodging and supportive services for patients and families who must travel to Milwaukee for medical care. Kathy’s House is the Milwaukee area’s only hospital guest house that accommodates guests of any age receiving care at any area hospital. More than 75% of our guests cannot afford the full cost of their stay at Kathy’s House – and no one is turned away for inability to pay. Your gift to Kathy’s House allows families to access not only the extraordinary care available at area hospitals, but also the resources and caring support they need during an extraordinary time. If you have questions about how your gift directly benefits patients and guests facing a serious medical crisis, please email keeganf@kathys-house.org. Follow us at kathyshousemilwaukee on Instagram, Kathy's House on Facebook, check our website https://kathys-house.org / or email us at mail@kathys-house.org.

September 14, 202619 min

So Much More than a Roof Over Our Heads, It's a Place of Comfort

Vicki Baker's friend Janet was a wealth of resources when Vicki was diagnosed and being treated for Pancreatic Cancer in Arkansas. Not only did she recommend Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin for her complex surgery and care, but she also told Vicki about Kathy's House. Since being diagnosed and beginning treatment last year, she's participated in clinical trials and is now receiving a vaccine for pancreatic cancer. None of this would have been possible for Vicki if not for finding her home away from home, Kathy's House. Kathy’s House is the Milwaukee area’s only hospital guest house that accommodates guests of any age receiving care at any area hospital. More than 75% of our guests cannot afford the full cost of their stay at Kathy’s House – and no one is turned away for inability to pay. Your gift to Kathy’s House allows families to access not only the extraordinary care available at area hospitals, but also the resources and caring support they need during an extraordinary time. If you have questions about how your gift directly benefits patients and guests facing a serious medical crisis, please email keeganf@kathys-house.org. Follow us at kathyshousemilwaukee on Instagram, Kathy's House on Facebook, check our website https://kathys-house.org / or email us at mail@kathys-house.org.

August 25, 202631 min

When Families Need Help, Kathy's House Delivers

Ann Bitter shares some of the moments from the journey she, her husband and their family have been through that led them to Kathy's House when Colton , her 26-year old son, had a stroke in late December 2025. Kathy’s House is the Milwaukee area’s only hospital guest house that accommodates guests of any age receiving care at any area hospital. More than 75% of our guests cannot afford the full cost of their stay at Kathy’s House – and no one is turned away for inability to pay. Your gift to Kathy’s House allows families to access not only the extraordinary care available at area hospitals, but also the resources and caring support they need during an extraordinary time. If you have questions about how your gift directly benefits patients and guests facing a serious medical crisis, please email keeganf@kathys-house.org. Follow us at kathyshousemilwaukee on Instagram, Kathy's House on Facebook, check our website https://kathys-house.org / or email us at mail@kathys-house.org.

July 17, 202629 min

A Special Anniversary Episode: Kathy's House Celebrates 25 Years

Kathy's House is celebrating its 25th Anniversary! The story starts with heartbreak: Kathy Vogel Kuettner passed away from cancer. Just one year later, her parents, Judy and Dick Vogel, turned their grief into something extraordinary — Kathy's House, a hospital guest house offering a safe, affordable "home away from home" for people traveling for medical care. Dick and Judy were unstoppable. What they built has become a legacy of home, heart, and hope for 25 years now. In this episode, you'll hear from friends, family, and even a former guest — each sharing what Kathy's House has meant to them. Kathy’s House is the Milwaukee area’s only hospital guest house that accommodates guests of any age receiving care at any area hospital. More than 75% of our guests cannot afford the full cost of their stay at Kathy’s House – and no one is turned away for inability to pay. Your gift to Kathy’s House allows families to access not only the extraordinary care available at area hospitals, but also the resources and caring support they need during an extraordinary time. If you have questions about how your gift directly benefits patients and guests facing a serious medical crisis, please email keeganf@kathys-house.org. Follow us at kathyshousemilwaukee on Instagram, Kathy's House on Facebook, check our website https://kathys-house.org / or email us at mail@kathys-house.org.

July 1, 202622 min

Episode 31: Kathy's sister, Susan Vogel, shares a very special perspective

Susan Vogel, Kathy's sister, shares memories of their life together and Kathy's legacy today. Kathy’s House is the Milwaukee area’s only hospital guest house that accommodates guests of any age receiving care at any area hospital. More than 75% of our guests cannot afford the full cost of their stay at Kathy’s House – and no one is turned away for inability to pay. Your gift to Kathy’s House allows families to access not only the extraordinary care available at area hospitals, but also the resources and caring support they need during an extraordinary time. If you have questions about how your gift directly benefits patients and guests facing a serious medical crisis, please email keeganf@kathys-house.org. Follow us at kathyshousemilwaukee on Instagram, Kathy's House on Facebook, check our website https://kathys-house.org / or email us at mail@kathys-house.org.

June 3, 202623 min

Episode 30: Brian and Estelle's stays at Kathy's House started in 2009

Brian and Estelle Hermes join us from Michigan. Brian’s been receiving care in Milwaukee for pancreatic cancer since 2009 and stayed at Kathy’s House quite a number of times. In fact, Brian’s stayed at the “old” Kathy’s House and current Kathy’s House. Their unique perspective offers the best evidence of how important Kathy's House is to our community. Kathy’s House is the Milwaukee area’s only hospital guest house that accommodates guests of any age receiving care at any area hospital. More than 75% of our guests cannot afford the full cost of their stay at Kathy’s House – and no one is turned away for inability to pay. Your gift to Kathy’s House allows families to access not only the extraordinary care available at area hospitals, but also the resources and caring support they need during an extraordinary time. If you have questions about how your gift directly benefits patients and guests facing a serious medical crisis, please email keeganf@kathys-house.org. Follow us at kathyshousemilwaukee on Instagram, Kathy's House on Facebook, check our website https://kathys-house.org / or email us at mail@kathys-house.org.

December 16, 202526 min

Episode 29: Through Their Little Eyes: Kids and Kathy's House

Did you know that children find comfort at Kathy’s House? A family doesn’t stop “being” just because parents are away seeking life-saving care. In fact, the love of a child is a beautiful source of social and emotional support during such challenging times, making Kathy’s House an essential haven for families. I recently had the joy of chatting with Jessi and Anthony, along with their four wonderful children 💖 Kathy’s House is the Milwaukee area’s only hospital guest house that accommodates guests of any age receiving care at any area hospital. More than 75% of our guests cannot afford the full cost of their stay at Kathy’s House – and no one is turned away for inability to pay. Your gift to Kathy’s House allows families to access not only the extraordinary care available at area hospitals, but also the resources and caring support they need during an extraordinary time. If you have questions about how your gift directly benefits patients and guests facing a serious medical crisis, please email President & CEO Kim Lamansky . Follow us at kathyshousemilwaukee on Instagram, Kathy's House on Facebook, check our website https://kathys-house.org / or email us at mail@kathys-house.org.

November 17, 20258 min

Episode 28: Gratitude & Thanks from our Guests

Kathy's House staff and volunteers read thank you letters from past guests reminding us of the importance of our mission. Kathy’s House exists because of the generosity of its donors and ongoing supporters Most of us have been touched by cancer, traumatic accidents or serious illness. The uncertainty and cost can trigger justifiable anxiety for any patient. Imagine if you also needed to leave home and travel to access life-saving care. More than 58% of guests say that Kathy’s House made it possible for them to access care. Kathy’s House is the Milwaukee area’s only hospital guest house that accommodates guests of any age receiving care at any area hospital. More than 75% of our guests cannot afford the full cost of their stay at Kathy’s House – and no one is turned away for inability to pay. Your gift to Kathy’s House allows families to access not only the extraordinary care available at area hospitals, but also the resources and caring support they need during an extraordinary time. If you have questions about how your gift directly benefits patients and guests facing a serious medical crisis, please email President & CEO Kim Lamansky . Follow us at kathyshousemilwaukee on Instagram, Kathy's House on Facebook, check our website https://kathys-house.org / or email us at mail@kathys-house.org.

October 7, 202524 min

Episode 27: Dancing To A New Life Tune

David and Melissa Kelly traveled from Timonium, Maryland, to Kathy's House and the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Health Network after Melissa was diagnosed with a severely damaged pancreas. With world-class healthcare in their Maryland backyard, they don't regret the decision. What certainly was, and still remains at times, very difficult, their journey was made better by the support of Kathy's House.

July 10, 202519 min

Episode 26: From Recipients to Champions: How Dan and Nancy Became Advocates for Kathy's House

Dan and Nancy Pollack were guests at Kathy's House when Nancy was treated for pancreatic cancer. They found that by opening up and sharing with and learning from others, their "new normal" was less daunting, less lonely. Dan and Nancy turned that support from those around them into supporting Kathy's House. Follow us at kathyshousemilwaukee on Instagram, Kathy's House on Facebook, check our website https://kathys-house.org / or email us at mail@kathys-house.org.

Is this your show?

Claim this listing to keep it up to date, reach guests who want to pitch you, and manage bookings with Guestify.

Claim this listing