For More Information Contact

Mary Pat Elsen

Director of Community Relations

St. Clare Hospital

608 356-1551

608 356-1367 fax

Mary_Pat_Elsen@ssmhc.com

Baraboo. . .Keri Olson, director of the St. Clare Health Care Foundation, has been named a 2006 recipient of the Rural Health Ambassador Award sponsored by the Rural Wisconsin Hospital Cooperative (RWHC). The RWHC created the award in 2004 to recognize employees at member hospitals who have gone above the call of duty in promoting their respective organizations and have made significant contributions to rural health.  Olson joins Dr. Jim Damos, family practitioner with Medical Associates and Lois Luethy, retired St. Clare Hospital GoldenCare Advisor, as Rural Health Ambassador Awardees from St. Clare. 

Olson’s award was based on a nomination from St. Clare Hospital that described her many contributions to rural health care during her five years as Foundation Director.  Two of her most widely known accomplishments include the St. Clare Healing Garden and the Hospice House at St. Clare Meadows.  Other contributions included her support for Baraboo’s Rural Family Practice Residency Training Program, the Foundation’s Pathways to Wellness Community Health Seminars and the Foundations current project which is a medical bus that would bring health care services to Sauk County residents who do not have health insurance or are without transportation.

“I think Keri deserves this award for all she does for our community through the hospital foundation,” said Dr. Brad Schnee.  “She is a great leader and knows how to bring people together to get things done.”

St. Clare President Sandy Anderson added:  “Keri knows more people and is more active in the community that anyone I know.  She is respected by those who work with her and is appreciated beyond words by St. Clare Hospital & Health Services and the St. Clare Foundation.”

Olson received the award from the RWHC in June at a reception hosted in her honor by St. Clare Hospital.