Prairie Ridge Health receives 2022 Press Ganey Human Experience Guardian of Excellence Award® for Physician Engagement

COLUMBUS, WI, March 27, 2023 – Prairie Ridge Health (PRH) has been named a 2022 Human Experience (HX) Guardian of Excellence Award® winner by Press Ganey, the global leader in healthcare experience solutions and services. This award is part of Press Ganey’s annual ranking of the top hospitals and health systems in the country, according to performance in physician engagement.

As a winner of the Press Ganey HX Guardian of Excellence Award®, PRH is in the top 5% of healthcare providers in physician engagement in the last year. Press Ganey works with more than 41,000 healthcare facilities in its mission to reduce patient suffering and enhance caregiver resilience to improve the overall safety, quality and experience of care.

“Building caring relationships is at the heart of what we do,” said John Russell, PRH President and CEO. “We are dedicated to providing an engaging and satisfying place to work. We are proud that our physician team takes such an active role in our clinics, hospital and community.”

In addition to a hospital that has been part of the community since 1907, PRH has three clinics in Columbus, Beaver Dam and Marshall.

“By putting their patients and workforce first each and every day, Prairie Ridge Health is demonstrating their unwavering commitment to their employees and to the communities they serve,” said Patrick T. Ryan, chairman and chief executive officer, Press Ganey. “The caregivers at Prairie Ridge Health have inspired us with the compassion, empathy and human connection they bring to the clinical healthcare setting. We are honored to partner with them as we celebrate their achievement.”

To learn more about PRH, visit www.PrairieRidge.Health.

Press Ganey, the leading Human Experience (HX) healthcare performance improvement company, offers an integrated suite of solutions that address safety, clinical excellence, patient experience and workforce engagement. The company works with more than 41,000 healthcare facilities in its mission to reduce patient suffering and enhance caregiver resilience to improve the overall safety, quality and experience of care. Press Ganey is a PG Forsta company.

Diabetes wellness event set for November 9 at Prairie Ridge Health

 

In honor of American Diabetes Month, Prairie Ridge Health (PRH) invites you to reconnect, reinvigorate and reset at a Diabetes Wellness Fair on November 9, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Prairie Ridge Health, 1515 Park Avenue, in Columbus.

“This annual event offers a variety of educational opportunities and resources for participants of all ages to learn to live well with diabetes,” said Rachel Selm, RDN, CD, Community Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist. “Those attending will have the opportunity to learn, ask questions, visit our resource tables, and even network with others.”

Local disability advocate, Matt Glowacki, will open the event with his interactive presentation, “Nurture Your Nature” a discussion about fostering an inclusive identity that welcomes everyone and helps them better understand who they are, why they are, and what they want to be.

Additional presentations include: Maintaining Muscle Strength with Resistance Band Exercises, Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM), and Nutrition Care for Healing Wounds

“We will conclude our event with a presentation on Intuitive Eating,” added Selm. “In this presentation we will give an overview of the principles to practice intuitive eating in your everyday life, how to listen to your body, honor your hunger and make peace with food. Together we will have a guided experience to put these principles in to action.”

Registration begins at 3:15 p.m., with the opening session beginning at 3:30 p.m.

All ages and family members or caregivers are welcome. For more information call 920.623.1293.

Attendees will be required to be screened for COVID-19 at the entrance and to wear a mask at all times during the event.

Prairie Ridge Health’s new clinic, located at 134 Corporate Drive in Beaver Dam, opened its doors to patients on Feb. 1. The brand-new building, located just off the Industrial Drive exit on Highway 151, offers twice the space of the clinic’s previous Maple Avenue location and is home to 9 providers and 5 therapists.

 
“The convenient location, modern architecture and open design of the new building offers a welcoming environment for our patients,” said Hannah Young, Prairie Ridge Health Director of Clinics. “We look forward to continuing to care for Beaver Dam and the surrounding communities.”

The PRH Beaver Dam Clinic offers orthopedics, obstetrics and gynecology, diabetes and clinical nutrition, rehabilitation services (physical, sports, and occupational), family medicine, and general surgery. A modern therapy gym, with all new equipment, provides ample natural light for a healing environment. Medical imaging and laboratory services are onsite for convenience.

Prairie Ridge Health Clinic opened in 2014 with five providers and four service lines: Orthopedics, General Surgery, Physical Therapy and Medical Imaging. Now, three clinic locations (Columbus, Beaver Dam and Marshall) are the home of 18 providers offering 12 different service lines including: Orthopedics, General Surgery, OB/GYN, Rheumatology, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Diabetes and Clinical Nutrition, Medical Imaging, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Lab.

For more information about our clinic and rehabilitation services, visit www.prairieridge.health or call 920-356-1000.

The Partners of the Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA) bestowed two awards to the Volunteers of Prairie Ridge Health and John Russell, President and CEO of Prairie Ridge Health (PRH), during the organization’s virtual state convention Oct. 5 and 6.

The Volunteers of PRH received the Partners of WHA 2021 Wisconsin Award for Volunteer Excellence in Community Outreach and Collaboration in recognition of their innovation, creativity, and leadership in the PRH Hunger Care Program.

In July of 2019, PRH and the Volunteers of PRH partnered with Second Harvest Food Bank to provide heart healthy and diabetes friendly food to food insecure individuals in the hospital’s service area. Eligible recipients are screened for food insecurity, diabetes, and heart health conditions. Recipes using items in the food package are provided each month and the Prairie Ridge Health nutrition team is available by phone to answer any questions about how to use ingredients.

Without likelihood of funding from SHFB in 2021, the Volunteers of PRH secured funding for the Hunger Care program through their annual Lights of Love.  In addition, the Volunteers of PRH assist in organizing and packaging produce for pick up, staff the monthly pick-up day at the hospital, help load the food into the vehicles, and coordinated a drive thru pick up during COVID-19 to ensure the families received the support they needed.

“The COVID-19 pandemic required creative and quick thinking to secure funding, and to ensure a no-contact distribution to decrease the risk of potential transmission. The volunteers were instrumental not only in providing funding, but in coordinating the drive-thru plan for the program.” said Rachel Selm, RDN, CD, Clinical and Community Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.


Pictured are Patti Walker, PRH Community Relations and Volunteer Coordinator, John Marks, Hunger Care Program volunteer, Rachel Selm, RDN, CD, Hunger Care Program Coordinator, Hunger Care Program volunteers Darlene Marks, Chris Schleicher and Jerry Schleicher, and John Russell, PRH President and CEO.

John Russell was nominated by the Volunteers of PRH and named the recipient of the Partners of WHA 2021 Best of the Best Administrative Award, honoring one top, on-site administrator of a Wisconsin hospital who demonstrates a cooperative, supportive, enthusiastic, and well-defined relationship with the hospital’s volunteer organization.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic our administrator wrote letters to our volunteers every few months. These letters were mailed directly to each member of our volunteer organization,” said Jolene Gill, Volunteers of PRH Chairperson. “Because there was no face-to-face contact available at that time, it kept our volunteers informed as to the decisions being made and processes taking place at the hospital. Being included as a part of the organization during a time when many of us felt alone meant so much to all of us. It was through this communication, that our volunteers were brought back to the hospital slowly beginning in June 2020 and a new greeter position at our main entrance evolved.”


Pictured are Patti Walker, PRH Community Relations and Volunteer Coordinator, Barbara Lauersdorf, PRH Volunteer and Partners of WHA Southern District President, PRH Volunteers Carol Black and Bobbi Schaefer, John Russell, Bonnie Webb, Volunteers of PRH 2nd Vice President, Diane Dhein, Volunteers of PRH Past President, Andrea Tamminga, Volunteers of PRH Treasurer, and Sherry Jelic, Volunteers of PRH Community Health Education Chair.

  

 

FMUB donates $30,000 for new Cardiac Central Monitoring System at Prairie Ridge Health in Columbus

Farmers & Merchants Union Bank in Columbus donated $30,000 to the Prairie Ridge Health (PRH) Foundation to fully fund a new cardiac central monitoring system for the PRH Cardiac Rehabilitation Program in support of the PRH Foundation’s 2021 Heart Healthy Community Appeal.

“The Cardiac Rehabilitation central monitoring system is a computerized system that allows us to monitor patients’ hearts while they are exercising after a cardiac event,” explained Katy Geiger, Director of Outpatient Services at PRH in Columbus. “Patients wear a small telemetry unit while exercising and this connects wirelessly to the central station where heart rate and rhythms are displayed.  Other information about patients’ response to exercise sessions is entered into the system. This helps us generate reports about the progress patients make while they participate in the program.”

The PRH Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is designed for those with cardiac conditions or those who have had heart surgery or heart catheterization. The individualized, medically supervised program of exercise and education builds a patient’s strength and endurance so they may safely and effectively overcome some of the physical complications associated with certain types of heart disease. The multi-step process involves input from an entire team of healthcare professionals based on the needs of the patient.

FMUB’s President and CEO, Randy Bobholz, stated, “Farmers & Merchants Union Bank appreciates that we have a wonderful healthcare facility in our community that provides great, high-quality services, while keeping a cozy, hometown feel.  Prairie Ridge Health continues to enhance their healthcare services along with using up-to-date technology to assist patients in their recovery close to home, which is appreciated by patients and caregivers alike.  Farmers & Merchants Union Bank has a similar philosophy in serving the banking needs of our community and that is another reason we are pleased to have this great opportunity to help Prairie Ridge Health continue that culture by making this donation to purchase a Cardiac Central Monitoring System.”

 “It is so important for our community members to have not only strong personal health, but great financial health as well – it is the best way to keep our community strong,” he added. “FMUB is proud to be part of these efforts on both fronts.”

The funding for the cardiac rehabilitation central monitoring system was given as part of the PRH Foundation’s Heart Healthy Community Annual Appeal. “We are so grateful to receive this generous donation to fully fund the monitoring system,” said Kristi Line, Executive Director of the PRH Foundation. “FMUB’s donation allows us to use additional donations to assist in funding other needs in our heart healthy appeal, such as the two new EKG machines for our Emergency Department and inpatient units to provide electrocardiograms to monitor heart health and quickly detect heart problems.”

Donations to the Heart Healthy Community Annual Appeal may be given at www.PrairieRidge.Health/Foundation/Make-a-Gift-Online or mailed to Prairie Ridge Health Foundation at 1515 Park Avenue, Columbus, WI 53925. For additional information regarding the Prairie Ridge Health Foundation, contact Kristi at 920-623-1370 or kline@prairieridge.health.

Pictured (l-r) Toni Wizner, ATC/L; Melissa Mangan, VP of Finance/CFO; Kristi Line, Executive Director of PRH Foundation; John Russell, PRH President/CEO; Katy Geiger, RN, Director of Outpatient Services; Anne Donahue, PRH Foundation Board Member; Alie Hayes, RN – Cardiac Rehab; Not pictured, Rolf Poser, MD, Cardiology and PRH Cardiac Rehab Medical Director; June M. Waterworth, FMUB Chairman of the Board; Randall G. Bobholz, FMUB President and CEO; Amanda Emery-Morris, FMUB Marketing and Training; Samantha Petrie, FMUB Retail Supervisor.

 
Our NEW Beaver Dam Clinic Location is now open!

The new clinic is located at 134 Corporate Drive, just off of Hwy 151, near Exit 134, approaching East Industrial Drive. 

To schedule an appointment at the new Beaver Dam clinic, call us at 920-356-1000.

The new clinic will house the same services and team members that the Beaver Dam community has grown to love:
• Family Medicine
• General Surgery
• Clinical Nutrition and Diabetes Services
Orthopedics
• Obstetrics & Gynecology (OBGYN) 
• Rehabilitation Services: Physical, Sports, and Occupational Therapy

Beaver Dam Clinic Providers