Reedsburg Area Medical Center Health

Jolene Westerman Receives Legislative Citation from Representative Tony Kurtz and Senator Howard Marklein

On Monday, May 24, Reedsburg Area Medical Center (RAMC) had two special visitors come to honor a special person. Representative Tony Kurtz and Senator Howard Marklein stopped by to present Jolene Westerman with a Legislative Citation Award for her 46 years of service to RAMC Physicians Group (1977 to 2021) and Reedsburg Memorial Hospital (1975 - 1977). In addition to the award, Jolene was presented with a flag that was flown at the Capital in Madison in her honor. 

Representative Kurtz and Senator Marklein noticed Jolene's length of service to RAMC and chose to provide this legislative citation. They are both married to nurses and understand the value of and demands on someone who works in healthcare.

Jolene humbly accepted the award and flag in front of several former co-workers/friends, administration staff, and her family.

About her time at RAMC Physicians Group, Jolene, who retired in 2021, said, "Over the years, my work included being part of the front-line staff, which afforded me the opportunity to work directly with the people of the community on a day-to-day basis. This work was especially rewarding. Later, I moved into management roles which proved to be challenging as well as gratifying. Probably the greatest challenge in working in a medical setting is the constant and rapid change in technology and processes. Most of all, I enjoyed and respected the people I had an opportunity to work with over the years. Their dedication and resilience to the constant change was nothing but outstanding."

Bob VanMeeteren, CEO at RAMC, said, "I am very proud that Jolene dedicated so many years to the Reedsburg Physicians Group and Reedsburg Area Medical Center. It is truly an honor that Senator Marklein and Representative Kurtz came to RAMC to celebrate Jolene’s dedication and her recent retirement. I wish Jolene the absolute best in retirement.”

Jolene continued, "I have been in the company of people who have inspired me and shaped my thinking – helping me to realize the impact our work can have on the Reedsburg community. There are doctors, nurses, and a wealth of support staff who make a difference in the well-being of our community every day. I am grateful for my years with Reedsburg Physicians Group and Reedsburg Area Medical Center, and I wish nothing but the best for the organization and everyone who makes this a great place to work. Thank you, Representative Tony Kurtz, Senator Howard Marklein, RAMC Administration, colleagues (past and present), and the Reedsburg community for the recognition and support!"

And Reedsburg Area Medical Center thanks Jolene for her years of exceptional service. We also thank Senator Marklein and Representative Kurtz for recognizing and honoring Jolene’s tremendous accomplishment.