Valued Voice

This year, the Wisconsin Hospitals State PAC & Conduit introduced a new recognition honoring exceptional, long-term commitment to health care advocacy: the Wisconsin Hospitals State PAC & Conduit Legacy Award. The award underscores the vital role sustained advocacy has in ensuring that Wisconsin hospitals and health systems have a strong, informed voice in the Capitol.

The Legacy Award recognizes individuals who have made personal contributions for at least 20 consecutive years to the Wisconsin Hospitals State PAC and/or Conduit—demonstrating tremendous leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing policies that support Wisconsin’s hospitals, health systems and the patients they serve. 

L to R: Mike Schafer, WHA Vice President of External Affairs Kari Hofer, Tim Size, WHA Political Consultant Nora Statsick, Matthew Stanford.

Eric BorgerdingIn its inaugural year, WHA was proud to present the Legacy Award to six leaders whose consistent support over two decades has helped strengthen the voice of health care advocacy in Wisconsin by supporting state candidates who support and understand the essential role hospitals and health systems play in their communities:

• Jodi Bloch, Director, State & Local Government Relations, Children’s Wisconsin
• Eric Borgerding, retired President & CEO, WHA
• Ed Harding, President & CEO, Aurora Medical Center – Bay Area
• Tim Size, Executive Director, Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative
• Mike Schafer, CEO, Spooner Health
• Matthew Stanford, General Counsel, WHA

Kyle O’Brien and Jodi Bloch Ed Harding“Twenty years of consecutive giving reflects an extraordinary commitment to advocacy and to the future of Wisconsin health care,” said WHA President and CEO Kyle O’Brien. “These leaders set an example for all of us and demonstrate how sustained, long-term engagement makes a real difference for hospitals, caregivers and patients across the state.”

The Wisconsin Hospitals State PAC & Conduit extends its sincere gratitude to the inaugural Legacy Award recipients for their leadership, dedication and lasting impact on health care advocacy in Wisconsin. Their commitment reflects a shared belief in the power of long-term advocacy to support high-quality care for patients across Wisconsin.