Quarles & Brady and Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative Announce Winners of Inaugural Community Engagement Award
MADISON, Wis. — The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP today announced that the firm has partnered with Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative (RWHC) to create the Quarles & Brady/RWHC Community Engagement Award. The winner of a $2,500 grant is Fort HealthCare, Fort Atkinson, Wis. A special second place award of $500 was given to Southwest Health Center, Platteville, Wis. Both awards are provided by Quarles & Brady.
RWHC is a rural acute, general medical-surgical cooperative of 40 hospitals throughout Wisconsin. The inaugural award recognizes an RWHC Member Hospital demonstrating excellent community engagement in health and wellness. The evaluation committee was so impressed with the nominations, that an unanticipated second award of $500 was agreed on.
"We are delighted that so many of our member hospitals are doing such wonderful things in their communities," said Tim Size, executive director of RWHC.
Fort HealthCare and its Healthy Community Coalitions was awarded the top prize, after much deliberation. This effort addressed health care in every demographic of Fort Atkinson's population, from every angle, with a focus on nutrition, exercise, and traditional health care. Fort HealthCare's efforts resulted in a jump for Jefferson County in the 2015 County Health Rankings from 29th place to 10th place out of 72 counties within the past year.
Southwest Health's widespread Sexual Assault Resource Team (SART) impressed the evaluation committee so much that it created a special $500 prize to assist the organization in continuing its efforts. The program focuses on community education, provision of tools to health care providers, assisting with staffing, and fostering relationships with local authorities.
"Quarles & Brady is honored to help recognize these amazing organizations that are working to improve the lives of the communities they serve," said Sarah E. Coyne, a partner in the firm's Madison office and chair of the Health Law Practice Group. "We look forward to seeing what next year's nominations bring."
The organizations will receive their awards at the RWHC board of directors meeting in October.
About Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative (RWHC)
Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative (RWHC) has been providing affordable and effective services to healthcare organizations since 1979. RWHC is owned and operated by 40, rural acute, general medical-surgical hospitals. The Cooperative's emphasis on developing a collaborative network among both freestanding and system-affiliated rural hospitals distinguishes itself from alternative approaches. RWHC offers a variety of programs and services to its members, as well as other clients across the nation.