Systemwide news
Mary Richbourg, N.P.
Eau Claire Center
West/Northwest: Nurse practitioner recognized for health care volunteerism
Nephrology Nurse Practitioner Mary Richbourg, Marshfield Clinic Eau Claire Center, was recently honored for her volunteer work in health care. Richbourg was among 10 recipients of the Brave Hearts and Real Heroes awards from the Western Wisconsin Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Richbourg began health care volunteer work in the Chippewa Valley after completing her graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
She has volunteered at the Chippewa Valley Free Clinic since 1999 and was recognized as that clinic's volunteer of the year in 2010. She has participated in two medical mission trips, one to Honduras and one to Nicaragua. She also serves as preceptor to UW-Eau Claire's nursing practitioner students. Each semester, Richbourg is a guest lecturer for undergraduate and graduate students. She also serves on the Chippewa Valley Technical College's Advisory Board of the Renal Dialysis Technician Program.
In her nomination letter of support to the American Red Cross, Amy Dwyer, Sacred Heart Hospital chief nursing officer, said: "Mary is truly a health care hero for her passionate commitment to nursing excellence in order to provide the best possible care for her patients. She has touched the lives of thousands in her more than 30 years of care giving."
Richbourg has balanced her volunteer work while raising a family, starting and managing dialysis centers at Sacred Heart Hospital and St. Joseph's Hospital, Chippewa Falls and working at Eau Claire Center. When asked what motivates her to volunteer, Richbourg said, "My sense is that it is the right thing to do. Even though my service is giving something back to the community, it gives me much in return. I am reminded of how much I am blessed with my family and my work."
Richbourg joined Marshfield Clinic in 2001.
Martha Hidalgo, M.D.
Eau Claire Center
Efrain Sueldo, M.D.
Eau Claire Center
West/Northwest: Eau Claire physicians earn ACP Fellow status
Internal Medicine Physicians Martha Hidalgo, M.D., and Efrain Sueldo, M.D., Marshfield Clinic Eau Claire Center, each have been elected as a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (ACP). The distinction recognizes achievements in the field of internal medicine or adult primary care.
Drs. Hidalgo and Sueldo have achieved this medical milestone based on the recommendation of their peers and after rigorous review by the ACP credentials subcommittee.
"Becoming a Fellow ACP is a high mark, a sign of excellence," said Dr. Sueldo. "It identifies you as a physician of further achievement. As a mentor of medical students, it is important to keep current with medical knowledge and to be a good role model for new physicians."
Joining the ACP has been a long goal of Dr. Hidalgo. "Being selected as a Fellow ACP is quite an honor," said Dr. Hidalgo. "I am joining a group of doctors I admired as a resident. They have inspired me to continually try to learn something new and to constantly improve."
Dr. Hildago and Dr. Sueldo joined Marshfield Clinic in 2007.
Katie Rhoten (left) and her brother, Spencer (center), deliver several boxes of donated items to Eau Claire Center on the anniversary of her diagnosis. Center Administrator Miriam Gehler (right), accepts the donation on behalf of the Clinic.
West/Northwest: Teen's generosity benefits Eau Claire Center pediatric patients
Pediatric patients at Marshfield Clinic Eau Claire Center will benefit from the generosity of an Eau Claire girl.
Katie Rhoten, 13, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes while on vacation four years ago at Disney World. During her four-day stay in an Orlando, Florida, hospital, Rhoten said she was lavished with toys. The experience motivated her to donate items to various health care organizations in the Chippewa Valley. It's an effort that has grown into "Katie Cares," an annual donation drive to buy toys, books and teddy bears with allowance money, lemonade stands and school fundraisers.
"Katie is a real inspiration, not just for donating the toys, but in how she has taken what life has handed her and made something so remarkably positive," said Miriam Gehler, Center administrator.
Katie Cares has donated more than 600 items to Chippewa Valley hospitals and clinics since the start of this year.
The frigid weather did not deter golfers from teeing up for a good cause at Wausau's Yawkey Park on February 11.
East: Clinic tees up for The Neighbors' Place
Marshfield Clinic participated in the 17th annual Ice Tee Classic on February 11 at Yawkey Park in downtown Wausau. It is a fundraising event for The Neighbors' Place, a nonprofit organization that provides services to local residents in need.
The Clinic participated in the event by creating a winter-themed mini-golf hole that featured a cartoon-style display of Marshfield Clinic Wausau Center.
"Golfers had to hit their ball through the door slot in the building to get to the end of the hole," said Randy Winter, Clinic Corporate Communications regional public relations team leader. "Despite the frigid temperatures, the fundraiser had a great turnout. Family golf teams came through the course with their "golf clubs" ranging from putters to baseball bats, hockey sticks and brooms."
The Neighbors' Place operates the area's largest food pantry, providing youth services, adult education, language programs, outreach services and managing a community garden.
