Mayo Clinic Health System earns Wisconsin Forward Award
For more information: Amy Mittlestadt, Phone: 715-233-7362 FAX: 715-233-7781
Mayo Clinic Health System – Red Cedar has been recognized with a 2012 Wisconsin Forward Award (WFA), the state’s award for organizational excellence. The organization will be recognized at the Wisconsin Forward annual recognition ceremony later this fall. Mayo Clinic Health System – Red Cedar was recognized at the Mastery level.
“As we strive to deliver exceptional care, we continuously evaluate how we can improve the care that we deliver. We view the Forward Award process as a learning opportunity that will allow us to provide better care for our patients, better service to our community, and a better workplace for our staff,” said Hank Simpson, M.D., CEO of Mayo Clinic Health System – Red Cedar.
“The feedback report gives us an objective view of our performance, both strengths and areas for improvement. That knowledge serves as a springboard for organizational change.” Each participating organization receives a feedback report outlining strengths and improvement opportunities. This feedback is used for organizational learning, planning and improvement, helping organizations position themselves for changes in a dynamic and competitive marketplace.
Mayo Clinic Health System – Red Cedar welcomed a group of eight independent examiners who spent two and a half days in Menomonie to gain an understanding of key organizational factors, verify and clarify facts, and assess commitment, sustainability and momentum.
To do this, they spoke with over 85 people ranging from front-line staff to administrators to board members; they sought input from employees who work day and second shifts in Menomonie, Elmwood and Glenwood City as well as at home to get a true cross section of perspectives.
In their exit report, which is a snapshot of their initial impressions of our organization, they noted the following strengths:
Staff values customer service – the needs of the patient come first
Visionary leadership
High employee engagement
Overall good results in patient care and service, as well as quality and financial outcomes
The true value of the WFA application process is that WFA will deliver a report that provides our organization with findings and recommendations for ways to improve as an organization. WFA will review their findings and send a final report in June.
The Wisconsin Forward Award is given at four levels — Excellence (the top award), Mastery, Proficiency and Commitment — and is the culmination of a rigorous assessment process that uses the Criteria for Performance Excellence of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality program. Award winners exemplify Wisconsin’s diverse economy –– health care, manufacturing, service, nonprofit and public sectors.
Created in 1997, the Wisconsin Forward Award program promotes significant achievements in continuous improvement and performance excellence — business practices that ensure the economic vitality of Wisconsin organizations and the communities they serve. Organizations participating in the WFA program are committed to high standards of excellence.
Visit forwardaward.org for more information.
