Hospital Sisters Health System receives WHA 2016 Advocacy All-Star Award

Madison (March 31, 2016) —- Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) received the Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA) 2016 Advocacy All-Star Award at the Association’s annual Advocacy Day in Madison March 30.

Therese Pandl, HSHS Eastern Wisconsin Division CEO, and Julie Manas, HSHS Western Wisconsin Division CEO, accepted the award before more than 1,000 hospital supporters participating in the day’s activities. The award is presented to one hospital or health care system each year that exemplifies dedication to grassroots advocacy.

Manas and Pandl said they were honored to accept the award on behalf of the entire system that includes six hospitals in Wisconsin: HSHS Sacred Heart (Eau Claire); HSHS St. Joseph’s (Chippewa Falls); HSHS St. Mary’s (Green Bay); HSHS St. Vincent (Green Bay); HSHS St. Nicholas (Sheboygan); and, HSHS St. Clare (Oconto Falls).

Advocacy is central to our mission,” according to Pandl. “Every day we advocate for policies that will enable us to continue to provide high-quality, accessible health care to the people living in our communities. We are very proud to receive this award as we continue to make our voices heard in Madison and Washington DC.”

Over the past year, the hospital’s advocates have regularly contacted, hosted and met with their elected officials to discuss important health care issues, including advocating for improvements in Wisconsin’s Medicaid program. They have worked to educate elected officials on how public policy impacts area hospitals, communities and patients. They have even traveled to Washington, DC multiple times with WHA to make certain Wisconsin’s Members of Congress understand how federal issues impact local hospitals and communities.

“HSHS is a true partner with the Wisconsin Hospital Association and takes serious its mission to serve,” said Jenny Boese, WHA vice president, federal affairs & advocacy. “It has been a privilege to work alongside their entire team, and they are well-deserving of this award.”