My Wellpoint Care Why- Board Member John Teevan
Founded in 1850 to care for children who needed a safe and loving place, Wellpoint Care Network has been supporting Milwaukee area families and communities for more than 175 years.
Board Member John Teevan’s father and uncle were two of those young children who grew up in (what was at the time known as) St. Aemilian’s Orphan Asylum.
“My father was very open about his experience,” said Teevan. “He was happy with how things in his life had turned out. He had gone on to graduate from Messmer High School, joined the Navy, then returned to Milwaukee and taught at Marquette University. Through that entire time, he kept those friendships with the other boys alive. Or as he referred to them, family.”
It was those friendships that led Teevan to learn more about Wellpoint Care Network at the young age of 15.
“My dad and some of the other orphans would get together on a regular basis and share stories about their lives, and they would always meet at the Capitol Drive campus. I remember coming with him once because I was a teenager who needed a job. I got hired to work at Camp Villa Jerome, where the orphans would spend a few weeks each summer. I ended up being the head counselor, which included the St. Aemilian’s boys’ cabin. Oh man, lots of memories and adventures. And that job was really what set me on a leadership path for the rest of my life.”
So, years later when Teevan’s friend and fellow Board member Jacker Herd-Barber invited him to be part of the organization, it was an easy yes.
“That was in 2001,” said Teevan. “Nearly 25 years later, I’m so proud to see how the organization has changed, adapted and grown to continue to meet the needs of the community. Wellpoint Care has never strayed from their mission and always thoughtfully reflects on how to move forward in creative and relevant ways. After 175 years, we are still making an impact. We’re not just hanging on; we are setting the standards for good quality care.”
For Teevan, that ability to adapt and grow is what has kept him involved with the organization for a quarter-century.
“It feels like every five years or so, we are making a memorable shift to truly help the children in our care. First, it was moving to a whole-family approach to healing, then introducing Trauma Informed Care, integrating school-based mental health services, and beginning to build a true community hub, just to name a few.”
Approaching his 25-year anniversary of serving on Wellpoint Care Network’s Board, Teevan is looking forward to helping continue to advance the organization’s mission of helping children and families thrive.
“I see so much potential about what President & CEO Reggie Newson and the Wellpoint Care Network team have to offer not only the northwest side of Milwaukee, but the state of Wisconsin.”
Teevan encourages anyone who cares about our community to learn more about Wellpoint Care Network and see how they can help.
“Even at its advanced age of 175 years, if you are looking for a vibrant,
relevant, impactful organization, you’re going to find it at Wellpoint Care.” Learn how YOU can get involved! Wellpoint Care Network serves more than 7,500 individuals across Wisconsin annually, and with your help, we can reach even more.
