(Marinette, Wis.) – Bay Area Medical Center has selected seven patients to receive the hospital’s first Health Education Recognition Award as a token of respect for the recipients’ efforts in using education to make considerable health improvements.

The award winners are Leeland Diercks of Marinette, Tara Gay of Menominee, Robert Gustafson of Stephenson, Peggy Mathias of Menominee, Jeffrey Moeller of Crivitz, Carl Olson of Marinette and Diane Race of Marinette. BAMC’s Interdisciplinary Patient Education Committee recently held a ceremony to highlight and praise their efforts.

“These award winners are an inspiration to all of us working in the healthcare profession, as well as the community and others who struggle to lead healthy lifestyles,” said Mary Lou Thoune, Staff Development Coordinator at BAMC.

The basis of the award was to show the positive impact health education has on a person’s life. The Interdisciplinary Patient Education Committee sent nomination forms to local healthcare providers as well as hospital staff in an effort to highlight those patients who actively sought education from their healthcare providers, were dedicated in following through with their caregiver’s suggestions, and in-turn made significant, measurable achievements with their health.

The selection was made on the basis of those measurable achievements, such as weight loss, lowered blood sugar level, lowered cholesterol level, increase in exercise or rehabilitation accomplishment.