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First Federal Board of Directors Elects Six New Corporate Officers
La Crosse, Wis. - First Federal Capital Bank announces that its Board of Directors has elected six new corporate officers at its recent annual meeting. Sandra Bardeen, Barbara L. Blank, Christopher A. Butler, Linda L. Hoth, Sheri Strangstalien and Tim Thompson all have been elected to the corporate status of assistant vice president.
Sandra Bardeen, who has been with First Federal for 16 years, is Assistant Treasurer. She has held various positions within the First Federal Accounting Department. Sandra also is the treasurer for the Kickapoo Pony Club, a non-profit organization.
Barbara L. Blank, who has been with First Federal for 23 years, is the Bank's ATM Manager. She has held several positions within First Federal, including teller, personal banker, operations supervisor, assistant retail bank manager and retail bank manager. Barbara has received the Savings Seeker Award from the Bank, and she also has received several in-house leadership certificates.
Christopher A. Butler, who has been with the Bank for 14 months, is the Manager of Real Estate Services. He previously was a corporate attorney with Gateway Foods, Mathy Construction Company and was involved in private practice.
Linda L. Hoth, who has been with First Federal for 25 years, is the Asset Protection Manager. She has held several positions within First Federal, including teller, personal banker, deposit operations representative, consumer loan collector and retail bank manager for the Bank. Linda is involved in the community as a 4-H softball coach and a Bangor Booster Club member.
Sheri Strangstalien, who has worked at the Bank for 20 years, is the Business Lending Technical Support Manager. She also has been a teller, loan servicing coordinator and programmer for First Federal.
Tim Thompson has been with First Federal just more than a year. He is the Construction Projects Manager for the Bank. Prior to joining First Federal, Tim was a Project Manager with Isola Laminate Systems Corporation.
First Federal Capital Corp and its banking subsidiary, First Federal Capital Bank (formerly known as First Federal Savings Bank La Crosse-Madison), are headquartered in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The Bank was established in 1934 and services businesses and consumers through 91 offices and 117 ATMs located in over 40 communities throughout Wisconsin, northern Illinois and southern Minnesota.
The Company provides more than 250,000 households with checking, savings, investment and loan products. Over the past 10 years, First Federal has tripled the size of its office network and is a leader in the supermarket banking industry with almost 50 in-store locations.
In addition, First Federal provides commercial real estate lending services and holds a dominant market share position for residential mortgage lending in many of its markets. The Company offers business banking products in Rochester, Minnesota, as well as La Crosse, Wausau, and Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and is moving ahead with plans to extend these product offerings to other select markets in 2003.
Finch Receives Jewelers Award
GIA Gemologist, Paul Finch, of Cory Smith Studios in Genoa, was awarded the "coveted gemmie" as a first place design award winner in the Wisconsin Jewelers Association design competition. Only one place is awarded in each category per year.
Finch's entry, which was showcased at the Midwest Jewelry Expo held in Madison, March 29-30th, took top honors in the pendant category of $4,000 and over in the WJA-sponsored design competition.
The slide-style pendant featured a custom-faceted 14 carat, rare, Malayan garnet, set in a 14k gold setting, accented with diamond accents.
Finch has been recognized over the years with many awards at art fairs throughout the Midwest for his original jewelry designs, custom-faceting and stone-setting expertise.
He has been involved in jewelry design for over 30 years and has owned and operated Cory Smith Studios in Genoa for the past 15 years. His specialties include:
To see examples of his work or for more information about his design process, visit www.corysmithstudios.com or call (800) 689-2577.
State Bank of La Crosse Names New Marketing Director
State Bank of La Crosse is pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah Ellingson to the position of the Marketing Director of the downtown La Crosse location.
With her education and work experience, Ellingson brings an extensive knowledge of marketing to her new position. Her understanding and insight in the field will make her a valuable addition to State Bank of La Crosse.
Ellingson graduated from University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a degree in English and has spent the last four years working for Ovation Advertising as a Media Director.
In her new position, Ellingson will be responsible for establishing an overall marketing and business development program that supports the strategic plan of the bank.
Established in 1879, State Bank of La Crosse continues to be a locally owned, independent, full-service bank with locations in Downtown La Crosse, Onalaska, Shelby, La Crescent, Downtown Sparta, Jubilee Foods of Sparta and Wilton.
Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Honors H.E.R.O.E.S.
Franciscan Skemp Healthcare recently honored three employees with H.E.R.O.E.S. awards. H.E.R.O.E.S., Honoring Employees with Recognition for Outstanding Extracurricular Service, honors an employee for his or her volunteer efforts to help individuals, organizations or causes in the community. Each H.E.R.O. receives an award and a monetary gift that is donated to the organization of his/her choice.
The April H.E.R.O. was Sharon Zimmer. Sharon has been an Insurance Verification Specialist on the Franciscan Skemp Healthcare La Crosse Campus since 1996. Sharon is a woman full of incredible energy and enthusiasm that she extends into several volunteer projects. This past spring she was the chairperson of the Post-Prom Committee, which organizes a prom-night event at the Valley View Mall for area high schools. Sharon has also donated her time to the St. Patrick's Parish Rummage Sales, which not only benefits the school but also the needy in the area. In addition, Sharon has assisted with Rotary Lights, Oktoberfest, and the Coulee Catholic Schools Mardi Gras event. Sharon's award was donated to the Post-Prom Committee.
The May H.E.R.O. was Megan Smith. Megan is currently a General Psychiatric Assistant in the Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit at Franciscan Skemp Healthare, but has had many roles at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare. She has been an Intern and Interim Coordinator for Health Education and Health Promotion, CPR Instructor for the Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Training Center, and a Safe Path Volunteer Advocate. Megan recently graduated from UW-La Crosse with a degree in Community Health Education and is now pursuing a degree in Nursing at Viterbo University. With her busy life of studying and working, Megan still finds time to volunteer at Safe Path which certainly makes her a hero. Megan's award was presented to the La Crosse County Humane Society.
The June H.E.R.O. was Tim Blumentritt. Tim is a Social Worker at Siena Hall and for the Adult Mental Health Day Treatment programs on the Franciscan Skemp Healthcare La Crosse Campus. In addition to his normal duties as a Social Worker, he has volunteered after work as a Social Worker at the St. Clare Health Mission since 1994. Even though Tim admits that sometimes it makes for a long day, he knows he has made a difference in the lives of others while working at the St. Clare Health Mission. Tim's award was presented to the St. Clare Health Mission.
Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation Resident Doctors Graduate
Twenty-two resident doctors who are completing their residency training at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation took part in graduation ceremonies June 19 at Gundersen Lutheran.
The graduates came to Gundersen Lutheran after medical, dental or podiatry school for residency programs of one to five years. In addition, one resident in a sports medicine physical therapy fellowship and one in an administrative fellowship were awarded certificates of completion.
"Thanks to the tutelage, role modeling and nurturing of so many of our dedicated professionals here at Gundersen Lutheran, each of these young men and women has developed into a very competent, capable and compassionate provider," said Arthur J. Ross, III, MD, director of Medical Education for Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation. "They are ready to move on in their careers where they will reflect well both upon themselves as well as our organization."
Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation offers fully-accredited general surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, internal medicine, podiatric medicine and surgery, and transitional residencies.
The transitional residency gives doctors 12 months of basic medicine before moving on to medical or surgical residencies.
The graduating residents and their future plans are:
Podiatric Medicine and Surgery (three years)
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (four-year residency)
Internal Medicine (three years)
Preliminary Internal Medicine (one year)
Chief Resident in Internal Medicine (one year)
General Surgery (five years)
Transitional (one year)
Sports Medicine Physical Therapy Fellowship (one year)
Administrative Fellowship (18 months)
Gundersen Lutheran's Dr. Linda Groon is Teacher of the Year
Linda C. Groon, MD, has been selected as the teacher of the year by Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation's graduating and continuing residents.
Groon, a Gundersen Lutheran internal medicine specialist, was honored with the Anthony S. Pagliara, MD, Teaching Award at the residents' graduation party June 20.
Also honored at the event was Brian M. Sieck, MD, a Gundersen Lutheran otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon, who received the Thomas G. Stenger, DDS, Memorial Award for exemplary teaching and contributions to the education of oral and maxillofacial surgery residents.
Gundersen Lutheran Research Project Earns Top National Award
Gundersen Lutheran has been honored with a prestigious national award for a research project that addressed the nation's growing problem of overweight and inactive children and adults.
The research study, "Growing Healthy Children: Childhood Obesity Prevention Project," has earned the 2003 Gold Hera Award for Providers sponsored by the American Association of Health Plans (AAHP) and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. The study was funded by Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation and Children's Miracle Network¨.
Now in its eighth year, the Hera Award is given annually in the spirit of the goddess Hera, honoring those who have improved and protected the health and well-being of women and children and advanced equitable healthcare for diverse populations. Hera was widely worshiped by the ancient Greeks as the divine protectress of women and childbirth.
Mary Kay Chess, chief operating officer, and Brenda L. Rooney, PhD, medical director of Community and Preventive Care Services and principal investigator for the research project, accepted the award on behalf of Gundersen Lutheran June 12 at AAHP's Institute and Display Forum in Washington, D.C.
"We are extremely pleased that Dr. Rooney's very thoughtful and innovative exploration on improving the health of families is being recognized nationally," Chess said. "This work, in addition to being a sound study, also represents a very pragmatic, family friendly approach to improving the health of the communities we serve. Congratulations Brenda, from all of us, for your stellar work with these 98 (participating research study) families."
Rooney is pleased with the award and the recognition it brings to Gundersen Lutheran. "When I saw the application information about the Hera Award, I instantly thought that the "Growing Healthy Families" study would be a good fit," she said. "Because of the growing national concern about childhood and adult obesity, and because of the study's unique family approach, I thought it could potentially have some appeal. I never thought that it would win first place, however. I'm very honored to accept this award on behalf of Gundersen Lutheran."
Rooney credited the entire research team and its consultants and advisors for the success of the project. In addition to Rooney, the main research team members were Elizabeth A. Clough, MPH, Quality and Performance Improvement; project coordinator Lisa R. Gritt, BS; Sarah Havens, BS, director of Community and Preventive Care Services; and Michelle Mathiason, MS, and Kathy Smalley, Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation.
Consultants and advisors to the team were Ann Budzak, MD, and Kris Litscher Lee, PNP, Pediatrics; Heather Gustafson, RD, Shana Hussin, RD, Jennifer Larson, RD, and Margie Ley, RD, Nutrition Services; Sheryl Otterson, MS, Behavioral Health; and Kim Sakis, CHES, Community and Preventive Care Services.
Rooney also thanked Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation and Children's Miracle Network¨ for funding and supporting the research project. "This study would never have happened without the generosity of the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation and Children's Miracle Network and without the great participation of all the families," she said.
Gundersen Lutheran Health Plan's AAHP membership and activities with that organization enabled Gundersen Lutheran to apply for the Gold Hera Award, Rooney added.
Gundersen Lutheran conducted the Growing Healthy Families project from 2001 to 2002 to help address the nation's alarming increase in overweight children and adults. National surveys report that 13 to 14 percent of U.S. children are overweight and 61 percent of adults are overweight or obese. Contributing to this problem is the high rate of inactivity among both children and adults.
The Growing Healthy Families project studied whether wearing pedometers would be effective in promoting exercise and decreasing the risk for obesity in families with children ages 5 to 12.
Kenric Scheevel Joins Dairyland Power Cooperative
LA CROSSE, WI - Dairyland Power is pleased to announce the addition of Kenric Scheevel, who recently joined the cooperative as a government relations specialist. In his position, Kenric will help to develop and implement Dairyland's legislative and regulatory efforts, both on the state and national level. He will also work to educate and involve others within the Dairyland cooperative system in the political process.
Kenric brings a solid background in government to Dairyland. A Minnesota state senator from 1994 to 2003, Kenric also served as assistant minority leader and was a candidate for lieutenant governor of Minnesota in 2002.
Kenric received a bachelor of science degree in math and physics education from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, and a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from South Dakota State University. He lives on a farm near Preston, Minn., and is a member of Tri-County Electric, a Dairyland member cooperative.
Achievements are paid announcements for area businesses or people. To place yours, call Amanda Thompson at 791-8249 or email amanda.thompson@lee.net
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