Upland Hills Health Recognizes Leadership, Service, Compassion
Each year, Upland Hills Health presents three highly respected, long-standing employee awards. This year, two awards were presented to employees who are committed to caring for both their patients, co-workers and community. A third award recognized a valued partner in our community.
In presenting the awards, Upland Hills Health President and CEO Lisa Schnedler noted that the employees are what sets UHH apart. “I am incredibly humbled each and every day when I see how much our employees care about not only our patients, but also how they extend that care and compassion to everyone residing in our area,” Schnedler said. “All our employees are making a difference in other’s lives. It is an honor to recognize our 2023 awardees who go above and beyond to help others.”
Jodi McGraw, MD, Family Medicine and Director, Home Care and Hospice
Kaye Walsh Spirit of Optimism Award
The Kaye Walsh Spirit of Optimism Award recognizes 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. This year’s award was presented to Dr. Jodi McGraw, family medicine.
The Uplands Hills Health employee who nominated her said, “Dr. McGraw embodies an inherent sense of hopefulness and exemplifies customer services excellence. It is one thing to be an optimist when you’re helping to bring new babies into the world…it’s another to provide hope and dignity to those receiving hospice care. Dr. McGraw is hardwired to see the good in any situation, no matter how bleak.”
Brenda Kite, Social Services Coordinator and Infection Preventionist
Upland Hills Health Leadership Award
The success of an organization is closely tied to the quality of its leaders. This year, Brenda Kite was nominated by her peers and selected to receive the Upland Hills Health Leadership Award. This award recognizes outstanding leadership for a project or initiative that is of great importance to Upland Hills Health’s mission. The nomination called out Kite’s leadership in infection prevention during the COVID pandemic. She spent countless hours navigating new regulations to ensure the safety of nursing home residents and staff.
“There is no challenge too big for Brenda. She always goes above and beyond for the residents and her co-workers. One example was the Buddy Program at the nursing home when the pandemic first hit and visitors were not allowed. She created a plan for staff to spend extra one[1]on-one time with each resident doing activities that they enjoy. She made sure the residents felt like staff were their family during that unique time,” according to the nomination.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Southern Wisconsin
Kaye Davis Community Wellness Award
This award recognizes a person, business or organization that has made outstanding contributions to improve the health status of the people in our service area. This may include contributions of time, talents and/or dollars to promote, teach or otherwise encourage wellness. The recipient of this award is Second Harvest Food Bank of Southern Wisconsin (SHFB).
“When thinking of an organization that consistently demonstrates a commitment to the well[1]being and quality of life in our community, Second Harvest Food Bank quickly comes to mind,” according to Amy Haesler, UHH Director, Transitional Care Management, in her nomination of SHFB. “They fill a critical role in supplying food pantries and supporting programs to end hunger in a region spanning 16 counties. However, most people may not be aware of the active partnership they have with Upland Hills Health.”
The Hunger Care Wellness Program supports people with diabetes and/or heart disease to manage their health with nutritious food and wellness education. UHH has partnered with SHFB to identify people in the community who struggle to access or afford the right food to manage their chronic conditions. Program participants are from diverse backgrounds and ages, but they all have one thing in common: they are our neighbors.
Upland Hills Health is proud to partner with and recognizes the significant efforts of Second Harvest Food Bank to raise the level of wellness in our communities.
