Decorah woman files nomination papers for spot on Winneshiek Medical Center Board election

A Decorah woman has filed nomination papers for a spot on the ballot for November's election for three Winneshiek Medical Center board positions.

Retired Colonel Judith Robinson served 29 years in the Army as a Medical Service Corps Officer, including command positions in the 44th Medical Brigade  during Desert Shield/Desert Storm.  She has had several overseas assignments, including ones to Germany and Honduras.  Her awards include two Legion of Merits, Bronze Star Medal, seven Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals, a Joint Service Achievement Medal and three Army Achievement Medals.

But in addition to her long Army Medical Corps service, Robinson is a Decorah native who was born to parents who lived on a farm between Decorah and Waukon.  She attended Waukon High School, then graduated from Luther College.

Robinson tells decorahnews.com she decided to run for the hospital board because of her past experience.  "What I did was run health systems (in the Army)," she says.  That experience taught her the importance of treating people with respect.  "You set the tone" in your interactions with staff members, he says, adding that she would work to set a proper tone for staff relations at the hospital if elected.

Robinson's parents still live in Decorah, so she notes, "My folks use the healthcare system, so I'm very invested (in having it run well."

Three positions on the WMC Board are up for election.  Ben Wyatt has announced he will not seek re-election, while Clark Goltz and Rick Burras are expected to seek re-election.  Nomination papers must be filed with the Winneshiek County Auditor's Office by the end of the business day on Wednesday, August 27th