Former HealthNet team member Monica Kramer will receive the AmeriCorps VISTA Member of the Year Award for the state of Wisconsin after being nominated by the Wisconsin Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (WAFCC) Executive Director Dennis Skrajewski and Manager Connor Doppler.
Monica served at HealthNet of Rock County in Janesville from August 2019 to September 2020 as a program and development coordinator.
Jeanne Duffy, Executive Director of Serve Wisconsin, said of the decision, “The Governor Service Awards honors individual who have made significant contributions to Wisconsin through their service. Monica’s service to the uninsured residents of Rock County and HealthNet of Rock County exemplify how VISTA members help alleviate poverty and build the capacity or organizations working to alleviate poverty. Her service will have lasting effects far beyond her year of service.”
During Monica’s time at HealthNet, she worked primarily on evaluation and monitoring of quality metrics, rewriting medication room and Prescription Assistance Program (PAP) procedures, and data management. Kramer was also tasked with serving as the liaison and report writer for the organization’s Board of Director’s Behavioral Health Task Force, which provided recommendations to HealthNet on which behavioral health services it should undertake in the next several years.
WAFCC Manager Connor Doppler said of the news, “WAFCC is very proud of Monica and the amazing service she provided throughout her time at HealthNet of Rock County. Monica was able to make an impact on so many levels and she is well deserving of this award.” Monica had previously obtained a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from Middlebury College and plans to attend medical school now that she has completed her year of service with AmeriCorps.
HealthNet’s CEO, Ian Hedges, noted Monica’s hard work and her numerous contributions to the clinic over her year of service. Hedges said “Monica Kramer’s service was incredibly important in HealthNet’s growth and expansion of our mission over the last year. Monica’s term with HealthNet was grounded in collaboration, responsiveness, and remaining patient-driven, all of which are core values to the organization.
“Monica’s work has allowed us to measure patient’s health outcomes on a larger scale, deliver medications quickly to patients, and create a roadmap for HealthNet’s future behavioral health services.”
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Governor’s Service Awards Ceremony will take place virtually on Thursday, October 15th from 10-10:45 am, with Governor Evers speaking and giving his congratulations at the event.
A recording of the event will be available on Facebook, YouTube, and Serve Wisconsin’s website. Information on the awards, including past recipients and photos/videos from last year’s ceremony are available online.
