Submitted by Ryma Lindquist, Community Relations Director, WWH
BALDWIN, WI – The Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative (RWHC) recently bestowed their 2024 Rural Health Ambassador Award to Katie Carstens, Family Practice/Oncology Physician Assistant (P.A.) at Western Wisconsin Health (WWH).
The award recognizes health care employees at RWHC hospitals who have gone above the call of duty in promoting their respective organizations, while making significant contributions to rural health. Nineteen individuals from across the state received awards this year. Each recipient demonstrates a history of fostering positive communication and relations within the hospital’s respective service area by serving on community boards/service organizations; taking advantage of volunteer or public speaking opportunities; and supporting community health activities beyond the scope of the hospital.
Katie Carstens’s work in the organization started in the WWH Fitness center in 2009 inspiring members to get fit and healthy in their wellness journey. This role grew to supporting community health and wellness programming working with WWH employees, local employers, and community members as the Wellness Program manager and health coach from 2013-2017 positively impacting the lives of hundreds of community members. Katie furthered her career to become a Physician Assistant to more directly impact patients’ health using a whole person approach resuming her work with WWH in 2018.
Katie has been an engaged Family Practice provider participating in various clinical work groups. In 2023, a need was identified to expand Oncology provider services to meet the needs of patients in the community. Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with the study, treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of cancer. Katie stepped up to meet this need and is currently seeing patients in our Oncology Clinic part time alongside her family practice work.
Incorporated in 1979, RWHC receives national recognition as one of the country’s earliest and most successful models for networking among rural hospitals. RWHC serves as a catalyst for regional collaboration and as an influential and creative force on behalf of rural communities and rural health. Owned and operated by 44 acute, medical-surgical hospitals, RWHC offers its members a wide range of shared services that meet local community health needs, including: staffing, consulting, management, networking, and education. Western Wisconsin Health is an active member of RWHC; their employees support the shared mission of “strengthening and sustaining rural health.”
