Submitted by Ryma Lindquist, WWH
BALDWIN, WI – Western Wisconsin Health (WWH) was proud to join communities across America in celebration of National Rural Health Day (NRHD) on November 16, 2023. The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) and rural-focused organizations throughout the United States set aside the third Thursday of November to recognize NRHD. This annual event is an opportunity to celebrate the “Power of Rural” and honor the individuals and organizations dedicated to addressing the unique healthcare needs of nearly 61 million people living in rural America.
“It is of vital importance that we ensure all rural Wisconsin communities have the opportunity to be healthy and have access to affordable, quality health care regardless of where they call home,” said Eilidh Pederson, CEO of Western Wisconsin Health. “We are proud to recognize the incredible work of health professionals and volunteers in our community on National Rural Health Day and throughout the year.”
On Thursday, November 16, 2023, WWH was honored to recognize two employees with National Rural Health Day Hero Awards.
The first WWH Award recipient is Dr. Kathleen Findlay. Dr. Findlay embodies the focus of WWH’s mission of “Building a Healthier Tomorrow, Together,” in the creation of a program that prioritizes health and wellness. The innovative ‘Simple Health’ program is a lifestyle medicine model. This model includes a dedicated team of professionals, meeting patients where they are and provides a lifestyle road map to patients to take ownership of their health.
This program focuses on holistic wellness, nutrition optimization, physical activity, social connection, and purpose. This program is at the heart of preventive medicine and is a leading example in the health care industry of how population health should be delivered. Dr. Findlay has also played an integral role in the development and delivery of the upcoming WWH bariatric and medical weight loss program. This innovative program allows an important access point to patients with critical needs and no place locally to receive such care. Dr. Findlay provides excellent patient care with high patient satisfaction scores. She delivers the personal touch, knowledge, and engagement to create positive outcomes for patients. She serves as an officer of our Medical Executive Committee and as a physician champion on our health equity committee in the pursuit of providing equitable healthcare to all we serve.
The second recipient of the National Rural Health Day Hero is Cora Meyer, Registered Nurse Pediatrics. Cora is the definition of a dedicated, compassionate, knowledgeable team player at WWH. She has been recognized by fellow co-workers’ multiple times because of her efforts taken to care for her patients. She took it upon herself to make a public service announcement video about tick safety earlier this summer, she steps in to help answer vaccine questions as needed and is supportive to her coworkers and patients; even taking the time to help with wound care and going above and beyond to follow up with hospital patients after her clinic shift was done. WWH is extremely fortunate to have Cora as part of our team.
Western Wisconsin Health is honored to have National Rural Health Day Heros Dr. Findlay and Cora Meyer on the team that continues to redefine rural healthcare by “Building a Healthier Tomorrow, Together.”
