Congratulations to 2026 Recipients
The national law firm of Quarles & Brady and RWHC are proud to jointly announce the winners of the eighth annual Community Engagement Award.
FIRST PLACE:
The first-place $2,500 prize was awarded to
Reedsburg Area Medical Center
SECOND PLACE:
Honorable mention $500 grants were given to
Door County Medical Center and Emplify Health by Bellin, Oconto Hospital
RECIPIENTS OF QUARLES & BRADY/RURAL WISCONSIN HEALTH COOPERATIVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AWARD ANNOUNCED
The national law firm of Quarles & Brady and the Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative (RWHC) are proud to announce the winners of their 11th annual Community Engagement Award. The first-place $2,500 prize was awarded to Reedsburg Area Medical Center and honorable mention $500 prizes were given to Door County Medical Center and Emplify Health by Bellin, Oconto Hospital.
"Every year, the Community Engagement Award recognizes RWHC Hospitals that are partnering to make a lasting difference in the communities they serve," said Tim Size, executive director of RWHC. "This year's honorees have developed creative and collaborative partnerships to address important health challenges and improve the lives of rural residents across Wisconsin."
Reedsburg Area Medical Center's (RAMC) winning initiative highlights its partnership with Scenic Bluffs Community Health Centers to improve access to comprehensive healthcare services for rural residents. The partnership emerged from a shared recognition that many Reedsburg-area residents were delaying or forgoing healthcare due to cost, transportation barriers and/or lack of a primary care home.
RAMC and Scenic Bluffs worked together to establish a Scenic Bluffs clinic presence in Reedsburg, reducing travel barriers and creating a referral pathway between organizations. The partnership provided hundreds of Reedsburg residents with consistent access to dental and primary care home and has reduced barriers with patients who previously delayed care due to cost or transportation.
Door County Medical Center's (DCMC) proposal highlights its partnership with the Door County Sheriff's Office Deflection Program, an initiative that connects individuals with substance abuse and mental health issues with treatment and support services. DCMC began accepting referrals from the Deflection Program for assessments, outpatient treatment and medication-assisted treatment services with significant success. The partnership will continue to prioritize timely treatment to referred participants, distributing more than 100 harm reduction products (Narcan, fentanyl test strips, medication lock boxes, medication disposal/destruction bags and overdose leave-behind kits) in the community.
The proposal from Emplify Health by Bellin, Oconto Hospital’s was for its partnership with the Oconto County Men's Event Planning Team, an initiative focused on raising awareness of men's mental health and reducing the stigma surrounding seeking help. Developed in response to growing mental health challenges among men and high suicide rates, the annual Men's Event provides education, support and connection through inspirational speakers and community engagement. As part of Oconto County's broader Community Health Improvement Plan, the program has seen attendance grow significantly since its launch in 2023 and has created a welcoming environment where men can openly discuss mental health, resilience, substance abuse recovery and personal well-being.
“This year’s Community Engagement Award honorees and their partners address critical issues like the lack of access to healthcare, substance abuse and mental health issues,” said Sarah Coyne, Health & Life Sciences partner in the Quarles Madison office. “Quarles is honored to recognize these honorees and their partners for the excellent work they are doing to improve their community.”