Tamarack Health staff honored for service to community

Two regional Tamarack Health employees have received the Rural Health Ambassador Award from the Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative.

The award recognizes employees who have gone above and beyond in their work and made significant contributions to rural health care, according to a news release from Tamarack Health.

At Ashland Medical Center, Assistant Nursing Director Lance Ritola received the award for his dedication to expanding local ambulance service in this region. For some time, the town of Marengo had no 9-1-1 coverage. Ritola worked to establish an ambulance service in Marengo, even actively providing patient care in responding to calls. Thanks to his recruitment and retention efforts for expanding this service in Marengo, Ashland was able to achieve full staffing, which ultimately led to Ashland’s ambulance service taking over coverage in this area, ensuring its residents that they can be confident that when they need 9-1-1 service, it will be there, the release stated.

Ritola is also a volunteer firefighter and is currently the fire chief for his township.

At Hayward Medical Center, Infusion and Oncology Registered Nurse Supervisor, Karyn Tiffany received this award for her efforts in getting staff out in the community making a difference. She is a member of Tamarack Health’s Community Team — an employee-led, staff-driven team of dedicated individuals who seek to connect with the community and expand the organization’s footprint in the region. Tiffany is the medical lead for the American Birkebeiner Ski Race Finish Line Medical Station, organizing medical supplies and equipment, helping coordinate the volunteer pool, as well as serving as the lead registered nurse for the team, and volunteering many hours during the event. Other community events Tiffany is actively involved in include the Birkie Bike Fest, the Musky Fest Run/Walk, the Sawyer County National Night Out, the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival, and Tamarack Health’s Kids’ Day.

She has also successfully led the Infusion/Oncology Team to earn Press Ganey’s Guardian of Excellence Award two years in a row. This award recognizes leaders in patient experience by recognizing the top 5% of organizations nationwide.