Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals is pleased to announce that Deanna Walz will serve as the Madonna Foundation’s director of development upon the retirement of Suzanne Sughroue, the associate vice president of development. Prior to the Madonna Foundation, Walz served as the director of development and marketing at Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln. Inspired by a family member’s experience with a spinal cord injury many years ago, Walz says this new role felt like the right fit for her.
“Knowing that I have the opportunity to join the Madonna team and help other families navigate recovery to discover what’s possible is thrilling to me,” she said. “I’ve also always been impressed with the work that Suzanne has been able to accomplish at Madonna, and the opportunity to carry on her legacy was very appealing to me.”
Suzanne Sughroue
Indeed, Sughroue began her celebrated career at the Madonna Foundation in 2007 as the director of major and planned gifts, and she later became the associate vice president of development in 2019. During her tenure, she successfully helped raise funds to build Madonna’s Omaha Campus, expand and renovate Madonna’s Lincoln Campus, and acquire new technology to enhance Madonna’s patient care.
“Madonna has grown to be the fourth largest independent rehabilitation hospital system in the nation, and I am proud to have contributed to that growth and success,” Sughroue said. “Most importantly, the joy of my time at Madonna has been the friendships with the generous individuals who make up the Madonna family — the donors, caregivers, passionate employees, and most importantly, the children and adults we are privileged to serve.” Sughroue will officially retire on June 28, 2024.