05/28/2026
On May 26, SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Baraboo team members gathered in its Healing Garden to honor the lasting legacies of two beloved chaplains, Doug Shepherd and Bill Brissette, during a meaningful brick dedication ceremony.
Colleagues, friends, and loved ones came together to reflect on the profound impact both men had on patients, families, and staff through years of faithful service. As chaplains and volunteers, Shepherd and Brissette walked alongside individuals during some of life’s most sacred and vulnerable moments - offering comfort, compassion and a steady presence.
“Doug and Bill were more than colleagues - they were friends, mentors and a source of strength for so many of us,” according to Jonathan Tipton, SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Baraboo staff chaplain. “They had a remarkable ability to meet people exactly where they were, whether in joy, grief, or uncertainty, and to bring a sense of peace in those moments.”
The ceremony - which was co-led by Father Jay Poster, Queen of Peace Catholic Parish in Madison - included prayers, scripture, and readings that reflected the calling both men embraced throughout their lives. Father Poster served alongside both chaplains in Baraboo.
A central theme of the service focused on the quiet but powerful role of compassionate presence - something both chaplains exemplified each day within the hospital walls.
Shepherd, who passed away in October 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer, was known for his deep faith, joyful spirit, and unwavering dedication to spiritual care. Brissette, who passed away in June 2025, dedicated more than 20 years as a hospital chaplain following a distinguished career with the Federal Aviation Administration and service in the U.S. Navy.
Throughout the dedication, attendees were reminded that the newly placed bricks symbolize more than remembrance - they reflect a continuing mission of care.
“These bricks are a visible reminder that the compassion Doug and Bill showed lives on,” Tipton shares. “Their legacy continues in every act of kindness, every comforting word and every moment of connection shared with our patients and their families.”
The Healing Garden, a space designed for reflection and renewal, now holds these tributes as part of its landscape. The bricks honor not only the lives of Shepherd and Brissette, but also the enduring impact they have left on the hospital community.
As part of the ceremony, leaders shared that the dedication represents four enduring commitments: celebrating the lives of Shepherd and Brissette, expressing gratitude for the care they gave, honoring the care they received, and supporting future patients and residents in their memory.
For those gathered, the ceremony served as both a moment of remembrance and a call to carry forward the example set by two individuals whose work reflected the heart of SSM Health’s mission.
“We are better because of Doug and Bill,” Tipton says. “Their lives are woven into the fabric of this hospital, and their impact will continue to be felt for years to come.”
