Northwoods Reporter

Tamarack Health announced that two of its staff members have been honored with the Rural Health Ambassador Award by the Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative. This award is given to individuals who have made notable contributions to rural healthcare.

At Ashland Medical Center, Erika Kurtz, an Emergency Room Registered Nurse, was recognized for her commitment to community service. She has been involved in training local paramedics and Tamarack Health staff in Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support. Her participation extends to medical tents at various community events such as Book Across the Bay, Whistlestop Marathon, and American Birkebeiner. Erika also supports the Rescue Divas program aimed at educating middle school girls about careers in emergency medicine. A former Rescue Diva graduate recently hired at Ashland Medical Center expressed gratitude towards Erika for her mentorship. Furthermore, she has played a key role in the Ashland Fire Department’s interfacility transfer program over the past 20 years and was the first registered nurse to obtain EMS licensure for primary caregiver roles in interfacility transfers.

Christine Stark from Hayward Medical Center received recognition for her 35-year service as Family Birthplace Nurse Manager. Known as a pillar of professional nursing and an advocate for rural obstetrical care, Christine emphasizes education and collaboration through quality initiatives that maintain high performance within Tamarack Health's obstetrics services. She has worked on C-section reduction strategies and implemented programs like tele-NICU and Journey Through Parenthood to support expectant mothers. Christine also serves as a hospital community representative for several organizations including Sawyer County Birth to Three Services and Northwest Connection Family Resources while volunteering her expertise during local events.

Tamarack Health expressed pride in their staff being acknowledged for their impactful work both within the organization and across the region.