Each year, HealthWatch Wisconsin (HWW) seeks nominees for its Annual HWW Awards! At the Annual HWW Conference each spring, the HWW Council recognizes select individuals doing outstanding work in areas of health care advocacy, outreach, media, as well as outstanding elected officials
Note that based upon nominations and HWW Council review, some award categories may go unfilled in given years.
Nominations are sought for:
Advocate of the Year* is awarded to an individual advancing access to health care and coverage in Wisconsin, prioritizing public health, health equity, or social justice in her advocacy. This individual regularly goes above and beyond to meet the needs of individuals and families, promoting improved connections to health care, coverage, or services in the community.
*If nominating someone for Advocate of the Year, please indicate if they should be considered for the “Amy Mendel-Clemens Lifetime Achievement Award” for lifelong advocacy in health care and coverage in Wisconsin. The award is named for Amy Mendel-Clemens, herself a life-long advocate for low-income and underserved families. Amy was an engaging and committed leader. She did all things with grace, kindness, and a passion for justice. In 2015, the advocacy community lost a dear friend and leader with the Amy’s unexpected death. With the blessing of Amy’s family and colleagues, including Amy’s husband Steve and daughter Jillian, HealthWatch recognizes special nominations with an award named in her memory.
Outreach Effort of the Year is awarded to an individual, group, collaboration, or project that increases awareness and knowledge of health care and coverage, including social aspects of healthcare, healthcare systems, health equity, or community-based programs. This effort could include projects that - through tenacity, creativity, and determination - achieved demonstrative outcomes for the effort’s target audience.
Outstanding Media Coverage is awarded to an individual or institution that demonstrates the power of the media, whether traditional print, investigative report, blog, video, podcast, or social media, to shed light on topics and issues, critical or complimentary to accessing health care and coverage. This Media meets the qualifications of being trusted in fact, interpretation, or analysis, providing an important insight into the health of the people of Wisconsin.
Elected Official of the Year is awarded to an elected official at any level of government, local, county, state, or national, who is committed to improving the health of her constituents in Wisconsin. This individual uses her service and leadership to advocate for and advance the mission of accessible healthcare and coverage—especially vulnerable or underrepresented populations in their communities.
Past Award Winners
Advocate of the Year:
o 2018: Amy Mendel-Clemens Lifetime Achievement Award: Lynn Green, Dane County
o 2017: Kathy Judd, Capital Consortium
o 2016: Connie Raether, Tri-County HealthWatch Coalition
o 2015: Amy Mendel-Clemens Lifetime Achievement Award: Ken Germanson
o 2014: Patricia Sarvela, Partnership Community Health Center
o 2013: Jon Peacock, Wisconsin Council on Children and Families
o 2012: Kevin Kane, Citizen Action of Wisconsin
o 2011: Susan Garcia Franz, Wisconsin Well Woman Program
o 2010: Pam Rabe, HP
o 2009: Julie Baryluk, Polk County Health Department
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Outstanding Outreach Effort:
o 2017: Liz Hecht, Family Voices of WI and CEDD
o 2016: Latino Health Council
o 2015: Milwaukee County (under leadership of Chris Abele, County Executive) and City of Milwaukee (under leadership of Tom Barrett, Mayor)
o 2014: Rita Bohn, Polk County Health Department
o 2013: Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin’s Better Together Project
o 2012: Wynne Cook, Western Region Center for CYSHCN
o 2011: Sara Finger, Save BadgerCare Coalition
o 2010: Gwendolyn Altheimer, Milwaukee Health Department
o 2009: Kris Peterka, Riverwest Initiative
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Outstanding Media:
o 2017: Timothy Jost, Health Affairs Blog
o 2015: Bill Lueders, Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism
o 2014: Adam Rodewald, Green Bay Press Gazette
o 2013: Nora Hertel, Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism
o 2012: Gitte Laasby, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
o 2011: Shawn Doherty, Capital Times
o 2010: Kurt Chandler, Milwaukee Magazine
o 2009: Shamane Mills, Wisconsin Public Radio
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Outstanding Elected Official:
o 2018: Sen. Kathleen Vinehout
o 2015: Milwaukee County, under the leadership of Chris Abele & City of Milwaukee, under the leadership of Tom Barrett
o 2014: Jim Alber, Lincoln County Supervisor, In memoriam Joanne Suomi, Portage County Supervisor
o 2012: Representative Jon Richards, 19th Assembly District
o 2010: Rep. Sandy Pasch
o 2009: Rep. Donna Seidel
o 2009: Sen. Mark Miller
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