Small Street Journal: June 30, 2017

The multi-specialty engineering firm Ayres Associates and Cartegraph, a leader in high-performance government software and services, recently announced a partnership to help clients get a better handle on the condition of their infrastructure assets and plan for the future. Using Ayres Associates’ engineering expertise and geospatial services to supplement Cartegraph’s web-based asset and work management tools, the two companies will assess the current condition of communities’ roads, sewer systems, water supply systems and more, while also efficiently tracking local government resources, performing risk assessments and assisting with budget forecasting.

The Wisconsin Hospital Association recently nominated Joan Coffman, president and CEO of HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital, to receive the American Hospital Association (AHA) Grassroots Champion Award for her service and efforts. Coffman’s most recent advocacy activities include her involvement in Governor Walker’s Opioid Task Force and attending the AHA Governing Council for Small and Rural Hospitals meeting in Portland, OR, where the discussion focused on hospitals against violence. Coffman has recently been appointed to the WHA’s Subcommittee on Healthcare Reform. She currently serves on WHA’s Board of Directors, helping guide the association’s work. She is also the chair-elect to AHA’s Section on Small or Rural Hospitals. Coffman regularly participates in WHA grassroots advocacy initiatives, including Advocacy Day, promoting the WHA grassroots program, hosting local legislators and more.

HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital was recently among only 15 hospitals in the state to be recognized by University of Wisconsin Organ and Tissue Donation for the hospital’s ongoing commitment to saving and improving lives through organ and tissue donation. The hospital received the University of Wisconsin Organ and Tissue Donation’s Silver Award of Hope, which recognizes the comprehensive work of hospitals that achieve the goals of two important measures that maximize the gift of life: the true conversion rate, which measures the percent of medically eligible donors that become actual donors; and organs transplanted per donor, which measures the average number of organs recovered from each donor. 

The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) a Smart Manufacturing and Resources for Transforming the Future (SMART Future) grant in June, first announced by Congressman Ron Kind’s office on June 12. CVTC applied for the nearly $900,000 grant in order to partner with rural high schools to incorporate industrial automation and networking principles into the high school curriculum. Menomonie, Durand, Owen-Withee and Greenwood high schools will also be able to start extracurricular robotics clubs; teachers will receive extra training at CVTC; and students will be able to earn industry-recognized credentials before they graduate.

Bowl for Kids’ Sake, the largest fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin, raised more than $214,000 at their 2017 events. Over 1,000 people raised money and took to the lanes to support mentoring in the Northwestern Wisconsin. The signature fundraising event raises nearly a third of the budget for the local Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliate.  All of the money raised stays local and helps children to be matched with an adult mentor.  Proceeds from the events will fund volunteer background checks, participant interviews, and on-going match support provided to each volunteer and family.

Namrata Mehta, M.D., recently joined Family Medicine at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire. Mehta completed medical school at State University of New York Upstate Medical University College of Medicine in Syracuse. She has 14 years of experience in family medicine.  Mehta is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Rahul Sehgal, M.D., recently joined the Rheumatology Department at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire. Sehgal earned his medical degree at the University College of Medical Sciences in India.  He completed his internal medicine residency at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, New York, and a rheumatology fellowship at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, New York. He is a member of the American College of Rheumatology and the American College of Physicians. He also is fluent in Hindi.

Ten area communities in Chippewa and Eau Claire counties have approved the installation of Born Learning Trails in their area parks. Born Learning Trails are research-based outdoor activity paths for parents and caregivers to walk through with their young children to encourage them to talk, listen, read, think, imagine and create. These trails support United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley’s Successful Children’s Network initiative, which brings programs and resources together to ensure all children enter school ready to succeed.

In addition to commercial security officer and electronic security solutions, Per Mar recently has expanded its monitored home security services to include smart home automation. With smart home automation features like Lyric, the latest and most reliable wireless security and home control system, and Total Connect, which lets you stay connected to your home, no matter where you are, peace of mind is just a tap on the touchscreen away. Another new service is Skybell, a smart video doorbell allowing you to answer your door from anywhere with a smartphone.

S.C. Swiderski, LLC announced three additions to the Leasing Department. The Leasing Department oversees the management of S.C. Swiderski’s real estate portfolio which includes multi-family properties the company has built throughout Wisconsin. Lori Minnihan was promoted to leasing assistant. Minnihan joined the company as a receptionist and recently moved into her new position. In her new role, she is the first point of contact for tenants. Jerry Bruss joined the company as site manager of Willow Estates in Plover. Bruss has a business degree from Madison Area Technical College and two years of experience in customer service and management. Ali Montalbano was named leasing assistant and site manager. She manages four Central Wisconsin apartment sites. She also handles tenant communication and administrative tasks in the corporate office. Montalbano has three years of experience in property management and is pursuing her degree in business and property management.