For more information contact:
Cheryl Windbiel
Volunteer Services Coordinator
715-735-4200, ext. 4418

Mary Ann Langill, President of the BAMC Auxiliary, presents the WAVE Award to David Olson, BAMC CEO & President (left) and Charles Kalhoefer, BAMC Board Chairman (right).

(Marinette, Wis.) – The Bay Area Medical Center Auxiliary received the 2006 Wisconsin Award for Volunteers Excellence (WAVE) award for their community service program, “Community Health Screening Program.” Presented by the Partners of WHA, Inc., the WAVE Award recognizes outstanding contributions of organized volunteer programs in the areas of community service, in-service programs, fundraising and community outreach.

The award was accepted by Mary Ann Langill, President of the BAMC Auxiliary, and Cheryl Windbiel the Volunteer Services Coordinator during the Wisconsin Hospital Association Annual Convention, September 27-29, in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and also at the Partners of WHA Annual Convention, October 3-5, in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

The auxiliary members answered the call to provide free or low-cost health screenings to area citizens as a way of assisting Bay Area Medical Center (BAMC) to reach their goal of “caring for our community.” The program currently covers five screenings: skin, prostate and breast cancer, cardiac, and BAMC employee health risk assessments. Since 1998, the auxiliary’s Love Lights program has raised more than $280,000 for the Oncology Fund, which provides funding for the cancer screenings. The auxiliary’s “Front Door Café” raised funds to purchase three portable cholesterol machines for cardiac screenings.

“Our Auxiliary and Volunteers are a critical component of this very important community benefit we offer,” commented BAMC president and CEO David Olson. “We are very proud of this recognition and very grateful for all the time and talent they give us.”

Additionally, new in 2005, Employee Health Risk Assessment is offered to all BAMC employees, with auxilians utilizing their expertise and expanding their involvement by providing retired nurses to perform the employee screenings. Auxiliary members are involved in all phases of the screening, including planning, staffing the call-in registration center, data entry of participant information, and on-site staffing during screenings.

“The Bay Area Medical Center Auxiliary addressed a need for the patients and families of their hospital. That’s what our volunteers do for our hospitals and communities across the state,” said Linda Fish, Partners President, who presented the award to the Auxiliary of Bay Area Medical Center.

Partners of WHA, Inc. is a statewide organization that supports and encourages auxiliary and volunteer participation in Wisconsin’s community hospitals.