Upland Hills Health Celebrates Annual Award Winners

Each year, Upland Hills Health presents three well-respected and long-standing employee awards. This year the three awards went to employees working hard to support our patients: Rael Stecklein, Jackie Wilkinson and Lynette Collins.

Rael Stecklein, UHH Clinics
Kaye Walsh Spirit of Optimism Award
The Kaye Walsh Spirit of Optimism Award is given each year to recognize a physician, employee or volunteer of Upland Hills Health who exemplifies a spirit of optimism and excellence in customer service when serving patients, families and colleagues at Upland Hills Health. The award is named after the late Kaye Walsh, who devoted 17 years to serving patients at Memorial Hospital of Iowa County, now Upland Hills Health. Kaye served as both Staff Technician and Director of Radiology and was the first, and for many years, the only certified ultrasound technician, usually “on call” for emergency ultrasounds. Kaye’s interactions with patients and colleagues exuded empathy and optimism. The optimism Kaye demonstrated throughout her own courageous battle with cancer was an inspiration to those who knew her. Nominees should have actively demonstrated a positive attitude and spirit of optimism in their interpersonal communications with patients, families and co-workers.

Below are excerpts from Rael’s nomination(s):
“The amount of time and effort she puts in to get her patients the best exam, the quickest prior authorization, and scheduled. Even if an issue does not pertain to her directly, she is willing to help you find the answer.” “Positivity is never lacking when you encounter Rael her personality is optimistic. She makes the workday go much smoother with calmness. She is so knowledgeable and passionate about her job.” “She puts the patients at the forefront and takes pride in the job she does.”

Jackie Wilkinson, RD, CDCES, CD, Diabetes Care & Education
Kaye Davis, Community Wellness Award
This award was initiated in 1996 to recognize a person, business or organization which has made outstanding contributions to improve the health status of the people in our service area. The award is named after the late Kaye Davis, RN, who devoted considerable time and talents to a nursing career, predominantly at Memorial Hospital of Iowa County, now Upland Hills Health. Nominees should have actively demonstrated a commitment to actions that promote the well-being and quality of life in their communities. This may include contributions of time, talents and/or dollars to promote, teach or otherwise encourage wellness.

Below are excerpts from Jackie’s nomination(s):
“Jackie is committed to improving the lives of our community members who are living with diabetes. Daily she supports many patients and their caregivers by monitoring medications, working with them on how to integrate lifestyle changes, etc.

She recently took this commitment further by concepting and launching an effort to reach out to this population outside of her clinical duties. Her intent was to create a safe space for people to learn about and discuss the many aspects and challenges of living with diabetes. Members recently shared what they appreciate most about the group. Members cited the group’s positivity, the meal and recipe ideas, applicable information about diabetes, and Jackie’s knowledge base, trustworthiness and encouragement of all the group members. This effort is truly an effort in Community Wellness.”

Lynette Collins, Director of Imaging
Upland Hills Health Leadership Award

The success of our organization is closely tied to the quality of our leaders. The Upland Hills Health Leadership Award is presented to a director, manager or other Upland Hills Health employee who has demonstrated outstanding leadership for a specific project or initiative felt to be of great importance to the mission of the organization. Nominees should have actively demonstrated outstanding leadership in managing a department or a project and to teaching, coaching and mentoring others.

Below are excerpts from Lynette’s nomination(s):
“In a major equipment upgrade project, Lynette worked diligently to get the best package deal to get Upland Hills Health the most up to date and most innovative equipment on a budget. She listened to her staff’s wants and needs and concerns with these big changes and went back and forth to get what her staff needed.” “Lynette has had to be a working boss with a lot of hands-on hours spent with our patients to assist in our scheduled exams staying on schedule to keep up our stellar reputation for timeliness.” “With multiple traveling techs, the extensive training needed for new employees has been a big task brought forward that Lynette has been changing to make sure our new staff will have the tools to start here at UHH a successful experience.” “Her door is always open.”

Lisa Schnedler, CEO and President of Upland Hills Health added, “Congratulations to all 2022 awardees. Upland Hills Health is proud to have each of them on our team and grateful for their dedicated service and commitment to their co-workers and the residents of southwest Wisconsin.”