Three Winneshiek Medical Center staffers recognized

(Left to right): WMC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Susan Halter, Star of the Year Award recipient WMC Ambulance Department paramedic specialist Laure Rausch and WMC Acting Chief Administrative Officer Dave Rooney.

Winneshiek Medical Center has honored three of its staffers with the 2011 Star of the Year Award, Provider of the Year Award and Quality Champion Award.

The Star of the Year Award, which recognizes staff who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, was given to Laure Rausch, a paramedic specialist with the Winneshiek Medical Center Ambulance Department,  Rausch was honored for her work during an accident.  She walked a mile over ice to get to the patient, Darrah Lansing. Rausch took care of Lansing for many hours before the ambulance could arrive. 

The Provider of the Year Award was given to family medicine specialist Dr. Sarah Wymer.  Dr. Wymer was recognized for her leadership roles and involvement in the strategic planning process and in the development of women's health services.   WMC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Susan Halter said, "Dr. Wymer supports the practices of her colleagues with a smile and a friendly attitude, and is willing to volunteer when a call for assistance goes out.  Most importantly, Dr. Wymer always puts the needs of the patient first." 
 
Finally, registered nurse Donna Dietzenbach was honored for 40 years of service at Winneshiek Medical Center.  Dietzenbach said she has seen many changes in the nursing profession throughout her career.  "Nursing has changed tremendously, namely with technology, surgical specialties and length of patient recoveries."  She has never felt a need to move on to another care facility because Winneshiek Medical Center has moved forward along with her career.  "I've seen the medical center grow so much," Dietzenbach said. "We offer a variety of doctors and specialists – it gives people a good range of options when receiving care."

(left to right): Chief Medical Officer Dr. Susan Halter, Provider of the Year Award recipient Dr. Sarah Wymer and Acting Chief Administrative Officer Dave Rooney.

Donna Dietzenbach, RN was honored for 40 years of service at Winneshiek Medical Center.