Dr. Tony DeGiovanni: Honoring His Life and Legacy

We recently lost a deeply valued member of the Sauk Prairie Healthcare family: Dr. Tony DeGiovanni, who passed away at the age of 78.

“Dr. DeGiovanni's life’s work was grounded in an unwavering belief that medicine is, at its core, an act of service. For decades at Sauk Prairie Healthcare, he chose presence over convenience, community over prestige, and compassion over self interest,” said Shawn Lerch, CEO of Sauk Prairie Healthcare. “He cared for neighbors as family, extending dignity and commitment to every person who came to him seeking help.”

A graduate of the University of Illinois–Chicago College of Medicine, Dr. DeGiovanni completed his general surgery residency at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He joined Sauk Prairie Hospital in 1977, having been recruited by Prairie Clinic Family Practice physician Dr. Mark Bishop.

On the occasion of Sauk Prairie Hospital’s 50th Anniversary in 2006, Dr. DeGiovanni recalled his decision to join Sauk Prairie Hospital, “I visited this small river town and loved it. I guess I have a small-town personality. I wanted to set my own course and have an impact in my workplace and community,” he said.

And have an impact, he did.

Over the next 40 years, he cared for thousands of patients—many of whom remember him not only for his surgical skill, but also for his wit, warmth, and unwavering kindness.

“Over the years, many of us experienced Dr. DeGiovanni in moments that quietly defined who he was,” said Lerch. “I remember hearing stories shared by colleagues about how he would finish a long day of surgery and still make time to check on a patient who was anxious or struggling—sometimes stopping by after hours simply because it mattered to them. There was never fanfare around it. To Dr. DeGiovanni, it was simply what caring for people required.”

Tom Murphy, retired certified registered nurse anesthetist, worked with Dr. DeGiovanni for 37 years. Tom remembers him fondly, saying, “Dr. DeGiovanni was a great surgeon and able to handle adversity. I had trained at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and had seen my share of world class surgeons, and I can tell you that Sauk Prairie Hospital struck gold with this man. He could do most any type of general surgery with unbelievable skill.”

“As a surgeon and physician, he helped shape what high-quality, rural healthcare could and should be,” said Lerch. “He strengthened our surgical program, supported colleagues across disciplines, and mentored generations of clinicians—many of whom chose rural medicine because they witnessed his example. His expectations were high, his ethics unwavering, and his influence enduring.”

His commitment to service extended beyond our region as he and his wife, Marian, made multiple trips to Haiti with Medical Mission Wisconsin, providing much needed care to underserved communities.

“Dr. DeGiovanni lived a medical mission that reached far beyond the Sauk Prairie region. He gave time, skill, and leadership to those with the least access to care, including sustained medical mission work abroad,” Lerch said. “Whether at home or overseas, his approach was the same: meet people where they are and give your very best.”

In recognition of his lifelong dedication to service, Dr. DeGiovanni was honored in 2025 with the Sauk Prairie Community Service Award.

“Being honored last fall with the Sauk Prairie Community Service Award reflected what so many already knew—that Tony’s legacy is measured not by titles or years of service, but by the lives he touched and the values he lived,” said Lerch. “Sauk Prairie Healthcare is stronger because of him.”

We at Sauk Prairie Healthcare are profoundly grateful that Dr. DeGiovanni chose to share his gifts—medical, personal, and spiritual—with us, our patients, and our community. His legacy of humility, service, and compassion will be long remembered.