Adolf Gundersen

Adolf Gundersen (October 8, 1865 – August 28, 1938) was a Norwegian born, American physician and founder of Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center.

Background
Adolf Gundersen was born in the parish of Åsnes in the traditional region of Solør in the county of Hedmark, Norway. He received his professional training in Norway and graduated from the Royal University of Oslo in 1890.

Career
Gundersen came to La Crosse, Wisconsin to join the medical practice of Christian Christensen. In 1893, he married Helga Sara Isaksetre (1867–1951), with whom he had eight children. Four of the sons, Gunnar, Alf, Sigurd B. Sr. and Thorolf, joined their father in his first clinic, which opened in 1930 on the outskirts of the city. In 1944, Gundersen's physician sons created Gundersen Medical Foundation (now the foundation supporting Gundersen Health System). His eldest son, Borge, was in charge of Røisen, the Gundersen estate in Solør, Norway.

Dr. Gundersen received Knighthood in the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olaf, first rank, from King Haakon of Norway in 1926. He was made an honorary member of The Medical Society of Oslo (Det norske medicinske Selskab) in 1933. He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and in the Scandinavian Surgical Society, an honorary member of the Christiania Surgical Society. He was also a Regent of the University of Wisconsin System. Dr. Gundersen was inducted into the Wisconsin Business Hall of Fame in 2013.

Quotation
"Achieving the finest patient care requires continuous effort and study by individuals devoted to the advancement of medical science and practice."

Other sources

 * Bergland, Betty A.; Lori Ann Lahlum (2011) Norwegian American Women: Migration, Communities, and Identities (Minnesota Historical Society) ISBN 978-0873518208
 * Hessel, Susan T. (1991) Medicine, the Gundersen experience, 1891-1991 (Gundersen Clinic, La Crosse, Wisconsin) ISBN 978-0941187503
 * Midelfort, H. Christine A Norwegian Immigrant's Accommodation To America: The Early Letters of Dr. Adolf Gundersen (Peninsula Nordic Study Circle Lecture Series. 2005–2006)
 * Orgensen, Ole (1982) Adolf Gundersen og hans sønner" (Nordmanns-Forbundet, 90–93)
 * Strand, A. E. (1905) A History of the Norwegians of Illinois (Chicago: John Anderson Publishing Company)