Small Street Journal: July 19, 2019

John L. Wagner has been selected to serve as the president and CEO at HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chippewa Falls. Wagner will start serving in this role on September 30, 2019.
 
Wagner joins the hospital after spending the last decade with UnityPoint Health in Iowa.  He most recently served as director of operations for Jones Regional Medical Center. Previous roles there included director of performance improvement and employer relations, rehabilitation services director and a physical therapist. 
 
“Since the moment I began engaging with HSHS, I knew the mission, vision and values aligned with my own,” Wagner said. “Meeting colleagues and community members from Chippewa Falls only further confirmed my desire to join this great system and hospital. I am truly looking forward to the opportunity to embody Christ's healing love for all people in my role at St. Joseph's.”
 
Wagner received his Doctor of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science from the University of Iowa in Iowa City in 2008. He most recently received an MBA with a specialization in healthcare management in 2018. Wagner’s undergraduate degree is from Mount Mercy College with a major in biology and minor in psychology. 
 
Wagner has previously been involved with many community and professional organizations while in Iowa and looks forward to continuing that in the Chippewa Valley.  
 
At a ceremony held earlier today at HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital, a registered nurse was honored for the extraordinary, compassionate care she provides daily in her role. Ann Lane, a registered nurse in the hospital’s L.E. Phillips-Libertas Treatment Center, receivedthe DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses ®. 

Lane, who has served at the hospital for 25 years, was nominated by a former patient. “Nurse Ann is one of the most caring and genuine health care professionals that I have ever met. She listened to me and gave advice about recovery that could have easily come from my own relatives. She is truly an empathetic person. Detox is an unpleasant experience but Ann made it better whenever she was around,” wrote the patient in a nomination letter. 

“Nurses are extraordinary every day,” said Jennifer Drayton, chief nursing officer at HSHS Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s hospitals. “The DAISY award was created to honor and recognize nurses who provide extraordinary care to patients every day.”

To nominate a registered nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital for a future DAISY Award, visit https://www.stjoeschipfalls.org/Contact/Daisy-Award-Nurse-Nomination. 
 
Babysitting is a great way for kids to earn money and learn essential traits to prepare them in life. Do you have a child who’s ready to take the babysitting plunge? Make sure they receive proper training by having them attend a babysitting class from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. August 9 in McDonald Hall on the lower level of HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital (2661 County Highway I). 

The course is for ages 11 and older and is being coordinated by the Partners of HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital. The cost is $10 and includes lunch and materials. An instructor will prepare participants to be effective babysitters by covering feeding, diapering and basic first aid. 

Attendees will also learn how to provide safe activities and choose age-appropriate games. Babysitting skills will be learned through discussion, video presentation and hands-on learning stations.

Registration is required. For more information or to register, call the hospital’s Volunteer Services at 715-717-7439 or visit https://www.stjoeschipfalls.org/Events-Classes. 

Royal Credit Union was ranked as one of “America’s Best-in-State Credit Unions” by Forbes and received top honors in the state of Wisconsin. Forbes partnered with market research firm Statista to produce the second annual best credit union by state ranking. More than 25,000 consumers in the US were surveyed for their opinions on their current and former financial relationships. Credit Unions were scored on overall recommendations and satisfaction as well as five metrics: trust, terms and conditions, branch services, digital services and financial advice.
 
“We are honored to be named by Forbes as one of the best credit unions in America,” said Brandon Riechers, Royal Credit Union president and CEO. “We are deeply committed to being our Members’ trusted financial partner by offering quality products, highly competitive rates and exceptional service. Our in-office, online and mobile banking experiences are designed to offer Members the opportunity to bank as it’s most convenient for them. In addition, we are a values-based credit union and take great pride in our commitment to making a positive impact in the communities we serve in Minnesota and Wisconsin.”
 
Royal is a $2.4 billion credit union serving over 200,000 Members. Royal’s field of membership includes 26 counties in Wisconsin and 16 counties in Minnesota. There are more than 5,000 credit unions with 117 million Members across the US. Forbes noted that Member-owned credit unions typically have lower fees and offer better interest rates than traditional banks.