Longtime radio newsman and former WFAW talk show host Michael Clish and 26 Fort HealthCare employees gathered in the hospital’s mezzanine lobby Friday to receive the 2020 Lue Ehinger Big Heart award from nonprofit citizens group Heart of the City.
The group expresses its mission as “maintaining the small town character and quality of life found in Fort Atkinson.”
The Lue Ehinger Big Heart award is given annually around Valentine’s Day to a community member who has made contributions that bring a positive impact to the city and are in keeping with the Heart of the City’s mission, a recent press release from the organization stated. This year marks the first where two recipients — Clish and Fort HealthCare — were chosen to receive the award. The group has been honoring community members for 14 years.
Clish was selected, as stated on his plaque, for “providing journalistic integrity to our community for the past 25 years.”
After receiving the award, Clish said: “I have lived here longer than everywhere else I’ve lived, and I loved the work I did here — my first and only job in radio — more than any other work I’ve ever done. I can’t express how honored I am at this award, and how delighted I have been to be part of this community.”
Fort HealthCare was selected, its plaque stated, “for exemplary care and service to the community throughout the years and for rising above the challenges to provide excellent care during the 2020 pandemic.”
Editor’s note: this story has been updated.
Michael Clish accepts the Lue Ehinger Big Heart award from Heart of the City board member Karen Reinhardt.
Lisa Jensen, vice president of nursing services/chief nursing officer, accepts the Lue Ehinger Big Heart award from Heart of the City member Jean Brooks.
Twenty-six Fort HealthCare employees gathered to help accept the Lue Ehinger Big Heart award. Names of those pictured are not in order, and include: Maria Murray, registered nurse; Allie Ulrich, registered nurse; Jenna Behnken, certified nursing assistant; Mariah Marowsky, certified nursing assistant; Kathy Arnett, registered nurse; Andy Kochler, manager of environmental services; Jennifer Kawleski, school nurse coordinator; Kathie Roth, radiology coordinator; Peter McCrea, lab department associate; Tanya Boyanovsky, lab department associate; Steve Benson, business office; David Dulak, pharmacy; Sarah Pagenkopf, pharmacy director; Julie Asmus, pharmacy; Jennelle Rossbach, registered nurse; Laurie Meyer, licensed practical nurse; Tracy Apkarian, registered nurse; Amy Reynolds, department associate; Nancy Nelson, manager of the lab; Kim McCrea, director of rehab; Barb Kemmerling, accounting; Cathy Johnson, director of clinic operations; Lisa Jensen, vice president nursing services/chief nursing officer; Michael Wallace, president of Fort HealthCare, and Rich Drotzer, maintenance coordinator.
A plaque presented to Michael Clish.
A plaque presented to Fort Healthcare.
Kim McDarison photos.
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