Four Recipients Win The Alliance 2020 Health Transformation Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Leanne Ketterhagen, Senior Marketing & Public Relations Specialist
Phone: 608.210.6638
E-mail: lketterhagen@the-alliance.org
www.the-alliance.org/press

FOUR RECIPIENTS WIN THE ALLIANCE 2020 HEALTH TRANSFORMATION AWARDS

MADISON, WI (October 1, 2020) – Today, at The Alliance Fall Symposium & Annual Meeting, four awards were handed out to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to transforming health care in their community.

This year’s award recipients are:

– Matt Ohrt, VP of HR and Medical Services at Merrill Steel, Schofield, WI, has greatly improved high-value health care accessibility and delivery at Merrill Steel through implementing an on-site clinic, a company-sponsored mobile clinic, and encouraging and supporting his workforce to engage in their health benefits programs – all while saving his organization $4 million in health care costs over four years. In addition to no-cost prescription fulfillment and physical therapy, the clinic offers MRI’s for just $100. Ohrt also started a Local Best Practices group to help bring employers together and learn from one another.

– Tena Hoag, CFO at Advanced Laser, Chippewa Falls, WI, has greatly expanded her 160 employees’ access to high-value health care through no and low-cost solutions – including physical therapy, behavioral health, and primary care – using a shared near-site clinic that she championed. Additionally, Hoag has continually supported and educated other employers and local government entities through speaking engagements, radio segments, and other hosted events. In January, she spoke to Governor Evers’ Task Force on Reducing Prescription Drugs to influence change on issues that negatively affect employee health and prescription spend.

– Wisconsin Health Information Organization (WHIO), in Fitchburg, WI., was recognized for providing transparency in health care by sharing important data and informational insights used to standardize industry measurements and improve the value of care. The WHIO information system obtains claims data from commercial health plans, self-funded employers, Medicare and Medicaid, cleans and integrates the data, and then organizes it into high-quality, accessible, and user-friendly products. The WHIO data and information is used by health systems to benchmark and improve the care they deliver. It also helps health plans and employers identify high-value providers to include in networks and feature in benefit plans.

– Traci Rothenburger, Clinic Manager at Nordic PrivateCare, Baraboo, WI, has been pioneering health care transformation for three decades by creating high-value health care programs and clinics throughout her career. At Nordic PrivateCare, she’s made health care more affordable and accessible by offering medical, prescription, chiropractic, massage therapy, physical therapy, and mental health services in an on-site clinic setting. Additionally, the success of her clinic has significantly reduced health care spending through an overall reduction in emergency and specialty care.

The Alliance presented the Health Transformation Awards during its 30^th anniversary celebration of their Fall Symposium & Annual Meeting, where innovative health care leaders shared their expertise on health care topics, including payment reform, transparency, and benefit plan design. The event annually attracts an audience of employers and health care providers as well as brokers, agents, and other professionals who support employers that self-fund their health benefits.

Health Transformation Award recipients must demonstrate their commitment to promoting change in the health care marketplace based on one or more of the following criteria:

High-Value Health Care

Is taking action to significantly improve the quality and/or affordability of health care

Transparency

Is achieving significant gains in the availability and/or use of meaningful information to compare price and quality

Payment Reform

Is developing, testing or implementing value-based payment approaches to encourage high-quality, affordable care

Provider Network Design

Is developing, testing or implementing approaches to make high-value health care providers easily accessible to employees

Benefit Plan Design

Is developing, testing or implementing approaches to support the appropriate use of high-value providers and treatments by consumers

The Alliance serves as the voice for self-funded employers who want more control over their costs by providing transparent, creative approaches to network and benefit plan design to unlock savings where others can’t – or won’t – using Smarter Networks^SM and sophisticated data mining and analysis.

Celebrating 30 years as a mission-driven, not-for-profit cooperative, The Alliance is employer-owned and remains a trusted, objective partner for employers and their brokers who seek improved access to high-quality healthcare, working with more than 275 employers across the Midwest, and contracting with over 34,000 health care providers and specialists in the region.

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We can connect journalists with award winners, CEO/President, and The Alliance Board of Directors upon request.

Cresa Completes Lease Transaction for Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, Inc. in Response to Demand Related to COVID-19 Pandemic

(Madison, WI) Cresa Madison has recently finalized a lease transaction on behalf of Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, Inc. The property will fulfill the organization’s immediate need for additional storage space due to an increasing need for food access in the 16 southwestern Wisconsin counties it serves.

The property, previously occupied by North American Fur Auctions, was just built in 2018 and is located at 1600 Williams Drive, Stoughton, WI.  It is a 28,400 square foot building on 10.4 acres in the Stoughton Industrial Park.  The building has unique features that make it an ideal location for Second Harvest, including both warehouse and cooler space.  The cold storage takes up approximately  1/3 of the building, and the remainder of the space will be utilized for dry goods.  It is also conveniently located with access to interstate 90 via US HWY 51 and CTY HWY N.

“We are happy that we were able to find Second Harvest a practically brand new structure, that you would almost think was built with their needs in mind,” says Matt Apter, Cresa Managing Principal. “There is something very gratifying when we can find ideal solutions for clients that fulfill a critical need in our community,” adds Apter.

Second Harvest says the new space is critical with Dane County’s CARE program which gives emergency funding to Second Harvest to continue purchasing and distributing local vegetables, meats, cheeses, and other goods to Dane County food pantries until the end of the year.

Mike Wilson, CFO of Second Harvest says “The new location will effectively serve our need for additional cold food storage and box packaging.” Wilson adds, “There has been a significant increase in our need for services in southwestern Wisconsin as a result of the pandemic. We are now confident the new storage facility will allow us to respond to the swell in demand without space and overcrowding concerns.”

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About Cresa
Cresa is the world’s largest commercial real estate advisory firm that exclusively represents occupiers and specializes in the delivery of fully integrated real estate solutions.  Delivered across every industry, Cresa’s services include Consulting, Facilities Management, Global Portfolio Solutions, Investment Banking, Lease Administration, Location Strategy & Economic Development Incentives, Project Management, Transaction Management and Workplace Intelligence.  With over 1,000 employees in more than 80 offices globally, Cresa partners with occupiers everywhere.  For more information, visit www.cresa.com/madison

My Choice Family Care and Care Wisconsin Announce New Entity Name and Logo

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN October 1, 2020 – My Choice Wisconsin, one of the largest managed care organizations in the state, released its new name, brand, and website today. My Choice Wisconsin is the new entity resulting in merged operations between the former My Choice Family Care and Care Wisconsin managed care organizations.

Read more here

Monona Terrace Achieves GBAC STAR™ Facility Accreditation

Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center has achieved Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC) STAR™ accreditation, the gold standard for prepared facilities. Under the guidance of GBAC, a Division of ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, Monona Terrace has implemented the most stringent protocols for cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention in its facility.

As the cleaning industry’s only outbreak prevention, response and recovery accreditation, GBAC STAR™ helps organizations establish protocols and procedures, offers expert-led training and assesses a facility’s readiness for biorisk situations. The program verifies that Monona Terrace implements best practices to prepare for, respond to and recover from outbreaks and pandemics.

“GBAC STAR accreditation empowers facility owners and managers to assure workers, customers and key stakeholders that they have proven systems in place to maintain clean and healthy environments,” said GBAC Executive Director Patricia Olinger.

To achieve GBAC STAR™ accreditation, Monona Terrace was required to demonstrate compliance with the program’s 20 core elements, which range from standard operating procedures and risk assessment strategies to personal protective equipment and emergency preparedness and response measures.

“This accreditation demonstrates that we have strict safety protocols in place, are prepared, and committed to operating our facility safely for our employees and guests,” said Monona Terrace Executive Director Connie Thompson.

Learn more about GBAC STAR accreditation at www.gbac.org.

About Monona Terrace, an iconic community and convention center on Lake Monona in gorgeous downtown Madison, Wisconsin, designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The 250,000 square foot LEED Gold facility hosts 500 to 600 events each year, generating over $33 million in economic impact for the community from conferences and conventions. Monona Terrace also provides over 100 free or low cost community events. Monona Terrace’s mission is to deliver an exceptional and inspirational experience. www.mononaterrace.com

About GBAC, a Division of ISSA
Composed of international leaders in the field of microbial-pathogenic threat analysis, mitigation, response and recovery, the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a Division of ISSA, provides training, guidance, accreditation, certification, crisis management assistance and leadership to government, commercial and private entities looking to mitigate, quickly address and/or recover from biological threats and real-time crises. The organization’s services include biorisk management program assessment and training, Forensic Restoration® response and remediation, the GBAC STAR™ facility accreditation program, training and certification of individuals and consulting for building owners and facility managers. For more information, visit www.gbac.org .

About ISSA, With more than 9,300 members—including distributors, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, wholesalers, building service contractors, in-house service providers, residential cleaners and associated service members—ISSA is the world’s leading trade association for the cleaning industry. The association is committed to changing the way the world views cleaning by providing its members with the business tools they need to promote cleaning as an investment in human health, the environment and an improved bottom line. Headquartered in Northbrook, Ill., USA, the association has regional offices in Mainz, Germany; Whitby, Canada; Parramatta, Australia; Seoul, South Korea; and Shanghai, China. For more information about ISSA, visit www.issa.com or call 800-225-4772 (North America) or 847-982-0800.

Oak Bank Donates $21,000 to Boys and Girls Club of Dane County

For Immediate Release
September 25, 2020

Contact: Karen Virnoche, 608.441.6000
kvirnoche@oakbankonline.com

Oak Bank Donates $21,000 to Boys and Girls Club of Dane County
Donation supports local students and their families during the pandemic

Fitchburg, WI – Oak Bank donates $21,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County to provide support to local students and their families with food, school supplies, and access to technology during this unprecedented time.

The donation is a combination of Oak Bank’s Community Giving Fund and Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago’s (FHLB Chicago) Targeted Impact Fund. The FHLB Chicago Targeted Impact Fund provides bank members with grants to support relief efforts for the populations hit hardest by COVID-19 as well as to promote equity and opportunity for communities of color.

“We knew exactly what needed to be done with the grant money. It should be given to a valued resource in our community that could use the funds to make a real and immediate difference,” said Bob Gorsuch, Oak Bank CEO. “The Boys and Girls Club of Dane County is a lifeline to so many. We are honored to play a small role in helping to make our community a better place.”

“We are grateful for businesses, like Oak Bank, that show our community support by helping us to provide for young people with resources like face masks, nutritious food, emotional support, and necessary supplies for virtual learning. Especially now during this pandemic and the social unrest happening locally and throughout our country,” said Michael Johnson, Boys and Girls Club of Dane County President & CEO.

Earlier this summer, Oak Bank also received a $20,000 FHLB Chicago COVID-19 Relief Grant that was distributed among 12 different local non-profits.

About Oak Bank
Oak Bank has been deeply rooted in the Fitchburg community and Madison area for 20 years, meeting the financial needs of homeowners and businesses by offering top-notch service, quick answers and unique solutions, all while supporting over 100 local nonprofits each year. Visit oakbankonline.com to learn more.

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