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Boscobel Nurse receives RWHC Rural Health Ambassador Award

Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative (RWHC) recently bestowed their 2011 Rural Health Ambassador Award to Stephanie Wanek, RN, BSN, Director of Nursing at Boscobel Area Health Care.

The award recognizes health care employees who have made significant contributions to rural health. Eleven individuals from across the state received awards this year. Each recipient demonstrates a history of fostering positive communication and relations within the hospital's respective service area.

Wanek was selected for this award for her leadership in three patient improvement projects - Stroke Care Awareness, Transforming Care at the Bedside, and Wisconsin Forward.

Wanek has worked with local EMTs and First Responders to provide stroke education for using the American Heart Association "Get With the Guidelines" Framework. This will culminate on May 18th with a hands-on training with SWTC's human simulator at the EMS recognition dinner, held every year in honor of EMS Week.

Wanek was key in Boscobel Area Health Care's selection as one of 16 hospitals to participate in the Transforming Care at the Bedside initiative, a quality-improvement project of the Wisconsin Hospital Association.

Wanek was also a member of the 2010 board of examiners for the Wisconsin Forward Award. As an examiner, she evaluated an organization using criteria for performance excellence to evaluate, validate and provide feedback on applicant achievement.

Wanek grew up in Boscobel and current lives in Blue River. She is a member of the Blue River EMS, member of the Riverdale School Board, board member and volunteer coach for the Richland Area Rotary Youth Soccer, youth baseball coach for Riverdale Summer League, member of the Riverdale Schools School Improvement team.