The award recognizes health care employees at RWHC hospitals who have gone above the call of duty in promoting their respective organizations, while making significant contributions to rural health. Fourteen individuals from across the state received awards this year. Each recipient demonstrates a history of fostering positive communication and relations within the hospital's respective service area by: serving on community boards/service organizations; taking advantage of volunteer or public speaking opportunities; and supporting community health activities beyond the scope of the hospital.

Schreiner has been a nurse at SPMHC for more than 25 years. During that time, she has worked in every nursing department as well as Information Technology. One of her most notable community involvement activities is founding the Bosom Buddies breast cancer support group. She also volunteers for the Relay for Life and encourages wellness among her co-workers by being the team leader for Health Trip.

Schreiner devotes a significant amount of time to promoting the profession of nursing. She is a preceptor for the UW-Oshkosh's Accelerated Nursing Program, mentoring students who choose to pursue a nursing career. She keeps in touch with her students even after they have finished their rotation, giving them encouragement and support. She is an active member of the hospital's retention and recruitment committee and is a former member of the Nurse Practice Council.

"Rural nursing takes special care and Pam is one of those nurses who is committed to the best outcomes for her patients, her community and her peers," remarks her co-workers. "We enjoy working with Pam; she is inspiring to others, always having a positive attitude, a caring touch and doing her best everyday to be a patient advocate to promote best practice."

Incorporated in 1979, the Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative receives national recognition as one of the country's earliest and most successful models for networking among rural hospitals. RWHC serves as a catalyst for regional collaboration and as an aggressive, creative force on behalf of rural communities and rural health. Owned and operated by 30 acute, medical-surgical hospitals, RWHC offers its members a wide range of shared services that meet local community health needs, including: staffing, consulting, management, networking and education. SPMHC is an active member of RWHC; their employees support the shared mission of "strengthening and sustaining rural health."