Angel of Hope Clinic helps Maria get back on her feet

Maria pictured at the Angel of Hope Clinic.

It was May of 2025 when Maria fell, and her fall quickly became something serious. 

On what was intended to be a relaxing vacation in her home country, Maria slipped on water that had pooled on the kitchen floor. She and her family later learned her kneecap was broken in half and that she would need surgery. 

As the family sought care, they faced obstacles. After the fall and once Maria returned home to Milwaukee, her family learned she needed to find a primary care provider to approve the surgery before the process could move forward. Her daughter, Yesenia, called multiple providers and clinics but encountered long wait times and limited availability for new patients. Many said Maria could not be seen for several months. 

Finally, Yesenia called the Ascension Angel of Hope Clinic, which said they could see her almost immediately. Maria and her daughter were so relieved, and as they had already faced months of uncertainty, that moment stood out. 

“I was telling the clinic staff, it’s like the name says, you are our Angel of Hope. You are the angel we were searching for,” Yesenia said.

Wholistic care from diabetes to knee surgery

When Maria connected with her care team, the family encountered another barrier: her diabetes needed to be controlled before surgery on her knee could proceed. The provider at Angel of Hope advised Maria on ways to improve her A1C — which was currently over 14 — and prescribed medication. Even with limited mobility, Maria was fully committed. 

“She followed instructions to the detail,” Yesenia said. “She really wanted the surgery to happen as soon as possible.”

Over the next several months Maria stayed focused on her goal, and with her care team's support, she lowered her A1C enough for surgery on her knee. In January 2026, she underwent her procedure at the Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital (MOSH) in Franklin.

The surgery went well, and Maria is now recovering. The most difficult part of Maria’s health journey has been losing her independence, and she is eager to regain it. 

“The hardest part is not being able to do things on her own,” Yesenia explained. “That’s what she wants, to take control of her own life again.” 

Simple daily routines have become meaningful milestones for Maria, and her family remains a source of encouragement as she recovers. “You can do it, Grandma!” says her elementary-aged grandson, who inspires her as she works hard in physical therapy. 

With each therapy session, she is getting closer to doing things on her own again.

Providing care and peace of mind

For Maria and her family, Angel of Hope provided more than medical care. They felt supported during a time when they didn’t know where to turn. 

“We knocked on doors, and nobody would help us. I saw how she was suffering,” Yesenia said. “And then we came to Angel of Hope. They were the angels that we were looking for.”

Ascension Wisconsin Foundation supports the Angel of Hope Clinic in providing compassionate, personalized care. Donor generosity to Ascension Wisconsin Foundation makes it possible for the Angel of Hope clinic to help all individuals regardless of background or ability to pay. The clinic offers services including chronic disease management, preventive care and care coordination to help patients navigate their health journey.