Sauk Prairie Healthcare and Edgerton Hospital & Health System Win Quarles & Brady and Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative Community Engagement Award
MADISON, Wis. — The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP today announced the winners of the third annual Quarles & Brady and Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative (RWHC) Community Engagement Award. The winner of the $2,500 grant is Sauk Prairie Healthcare in Prairie du Sac, Wis. The second place award of $500 was given to Edgerton Hospital & Health Services in Edgerton, Wis. The awards are provided by Quarles & Brady.
RWHC is a cooperative of 40 rural acute, general medical-surgical hospitals throughout Wisconsin. The award recognizes two RWHC Member Hospitals demonstrating excellence in strengthening community health and wellness partnerships. Past honorees include Fort HealthCare, Southwest Health Center, Upland Hills Health, and Columbus Community Hospital.
"Rural hospitals in Wisconsin are partnering with their communities to improve health care outside the walls of the clinic and hospital," said Tim Size, executive director of RWHC. "It is a true privilege to once again honor these grass roots efforts, which are so much a part of what makes rural Wisconsin such a great place to live and work."
Sauk Prairie Healthcare was recognized for "Project SEARCH" (PS), a partnership between Sauk Prairie Healthcare, area school districts—including the Sauk Prairie, Lodi, and Baraboo school districts—local businesses, and local agencies to provide internship experiences for students ages 18 to 21 with significant disabilities. Each program lasts one year and offers three internship rotations to learn skills that can lead to employment. Now in its second year, nearly all of the interns have employment commitments.
Edgerton Hospital & Health Services has been working to combat childhood obesity and encourage activity among its young residents. In addition to implementing a Fitbit program at the middle school, the hospital established a "Fitness Zone" in the local elementary schools. The Fitness Zone allows hospital staff to attend recesses and coordinate activities to get kids moving. While the program has been successful, a lack of funding makes it difficult to expand. The hospital plans to enhance the program by using its award money to purchase equipment, which will enable more children to participate.
"Quarles & Brady is honored to help RWHC recognize these amazing organizations that work to improve the lives of the tight-knit communities they serve," said Sarah E. Coyne, a partner in the firm's Madison office and chair of the Health Law Practice Group. "We enjoy watching these initiatives succeed and look forward to year four."
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), headquartered in Sauk City, Wis., 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.