In recognition of WHA President & CEO Eric Borgerding’s retirement and 27 years of service to Wisconsin’s hospitals, the WHA Foundation is proud to announce the creation of the Eric Borgerding Health Care Advocacy Scholarship. This scholarship honors Eric’s unwavering commitment to advancing public policies that have enabled Wisconsin hospitals to lead the nation in quality, access and innovation.
Through this initiative, we aim to inspire the next generation of health care advocates and ensure a strong future for hospital policy leadership in Wisconsin.
About Eric Borgerding
Eric served as President/CEO of the Wisconsin Hospital Association from 2015 to 2025, capping a four-decade career as a Wisconsin lobbyist. Eric began his advocacy career in 1987, when as an undergraduate at UW-Madison he participated in an internship with one of Madison’s largest lobbying firms. In addition to his professional roles, Borgerding has served on the UW-Madison Political Science Department and UW-Madison LaFollette Institute Board of Visitors, the Wisconsin State Historical Society Board and the Association of Wisconsin Lobbyists Board of Directors.
A Legacy of Advocacy
During his tenure, Eric championed countless initiatives that have had a lasting impact, including:
About the Internship and Scholarship Program
Each year, two students will be selected for a 15-week WHA internship, gaining hands-on experience in health policy, regulatory affairs and advocacy. At the conclusion of their internship, participants will present their learnings and may be awarded up to $5,000 each.
This experience is designed to prepare future health policy leaders who share Eric’s passion for supporting hospitals and improving health care for all Wisconsinites.
Honoring our Contributors
The WHA Foundation gratefully acknowledges the individuals and organizations whose generous contributions are bringing the Eric Borgerding Health Care Advocacy Scholarship to life. These gifts celebrate Eric’s remarkable legacy and invest in the future of health care policy leadership in Wisconsin.
Legacy Leader
Ascension Wisconsin
Aspirus Health
Emplify Health
Visionary Advocate
Aurora Health Care
HealthPartners - Amery, Hudson and Westfields Hospitals & Clinics
Prairie Ridge Health
UW Health
Founding Contributor
Children's Wisconsin
Damond Boatwright
Findorff
Godfrey & Kahn
Hospital Sisters Health System
Husch Blackwell
M3 Insurance
Platform Communications
Quarles
RWHC Healthy Wisconsin Foundation
SSM Health - Wisconsin
Tomah Health
UnityPoint Health - Meriter Hospital
Supporting Partner
CG Schmidt
Cumberland Healthcare
Door County Medical Center
Edgerton Hospital & Health Services
First Business Bank
Health Policy Source
Kyle & Laura O'Brien
Reedsburg Area Medical Center
Dan & Amy Rohrbach
Schreiber GR Group
Southwest Health
Spooner Health
Stoughton Health
The Kammer Group
The Richland Hospital & Clinics
Upland Hills Health, Inc.
Friend of the Fund
Capitol Navigators
Dr. Michael & Laurie Dolan
Essentia Health
Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin
Rachel Roller
How to Contribute
Contributions from corporate or personal funds are welcome and fully tax-deductible through the WHA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization.
To submit a pledge, please complete the online pledge form. If you need an invoice, simply indicate that preference in the form or contact Kari Hofer, Vice President, External Affairs, directly. To make a contribution online with a credit card, click the Contribute Now button below.
Checks may be made payable to the WHA Foundation and mailed to:
WHA Foundation
5510 Research Park Drive, Ste. 200
Fitchburg, WI 53711
Memo: Eric Borgerding Scholarship
For more information and questions, contact Kari Hofer, Vice President, External Affairs or call 608-274-1820.