Photo: Hugh Miller presents the Ben & Adith Miller Community Service Tribute to Rachelle Schultz.
With many previous honorees in attendance and with family, including her mom, a retired registered nurse, near her side, Rachelle H. Schultz, Ed.D., heard why she was selected by a committee of community members and previous honorees as the recipient of this year’s Winona Health Foundation Ben and Adith Miller Community Service Tribute.
Included in Schultz’s nomination were comments from community leaders including Winona City Manager, Steve Sarvi; Winona County Administrator, Ken Fritz; and Minnesota Marine Art Museum Executive Director, Nicole Chamberlain-Dupree.
Hugh Miller, Ben and Adith Miller’s son and RTP President and CEO, presented the award to Schultz Wednesday, May 26 at Cedar Valley Golf Course in Winona. This is the Tribute’s 33rd year. Although a recognition dinner could not be held in 2020 due to the pandemic, last year’s honorees were Jerry and Patricia Papenfuss.
In opening remarks, Winona Health Chief Administrative Officer, Rebecca Lamberty, a member of Winona Health’s leadership team, shared, “I believe Rachelle was born to lead: not to provide safe harbor, but to unite a team and provide calm in a storm. Rachelle helps people find it within themselves to be the best they can be.”
Ken Mogren, Winona Health board chair, noted that it was appropriate to have someone representing healthcare as this year’s honoree. ”I continue to be amazed by her talents and the good work she does for Winona Health and our community. She has higher expectations for herself than anyone else ever could. She is a problem solver who doesn’t dwell on things you can’t change. She is a visionary who has an ability to process a lot of information and make good decisions quickly.
Mogren noted that others also have commented on Schultz’s ability to see into the future. “She doesn’t have a crystal ball, but she’s well read and well connected with other healthcare leaders around the country. She’s been able to position Winona Health to be where it needs to be.”
Ann MacDonald, retired director of Learning and Development at Winona Health, said, “Rachelle embodies the legacy of the Ben and Adith Miller Tribute, and I value her wisdom and leadership. MacDonald recalled a leadership meeting in February of 2020, and Schultz saying that, we can’t sit back and wait for the COVID-19 virus to show up on our front doorstep. We need to get outside of our walls, and work with our employers, our cities, our counties, and other partners out in the community to understand what’s happening and to help manage effectively “Rachelle was proactive in preparing for whatever was to come and, through her leadership, a much worse situation was avoided.”
Kathleen Lanik, who retired after a 43-year career with Winona Health, said, “Rachelle believes that a healthcare system must be woven into the very heart of a community, and she lives, and is guided by, Winona Health’s mission to improve the health and well-being of our family, friends and neighbors. She believes that the voice of the patient must remain front and center in decision making. How fortunate we are to have a strong, local, independent healthcare system.”
In accepting the honor, Schultz had an emotional moment remembering sitting with Vera Miller, Hugh Miller’s late wife at previous Tribute celebrations. “It’s impossible for me to not think of Vera right now and how much she is missed. She was greatly respected and admired. I always enjoyed my time with her, and I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to know her.”
Schultz continued, “Last year asked a lot of all of us, and I am very proud of my colleagues at Winona Health. Our ongoing focus on continuous improvement serves us well and we’ll continue to have our community’s back as we keep working toward the future state of healthcare. And, we should all be grateful for community members like Hugh who know the importance of taking care of our own.
The family of Hugh and the late Vera Miller and RTP Company generously gave $25,000 to the Winona Health Foundation Ben and Adith Miller Patient Care Fund in Schultz’s honor. Along with the Miller family and RTP’s gifts through the years, ongoing community generosity also makes this fund possible.
In closing, Lamberty noted, “the profound impact this unique fund has had in our community.” Since its inception in 1986, the Ben and Adith Miller Patient Care Fund has provided $13.2 million in relief to individuals with their medical bills.
Those who would like to make a gift to the Winona Health Foundation in honor of Rachelle Schultz may direct their gift to the Winona Health Foundation by mail: 855 Mankato Ave., Winona, MN 55987, or online: winonahealth.org/foundation.
Questions about the Winona Health Foundation may be directed to Katrice Sisson, Community and Donor Relations Manager, 507.474.3050 or ksisson@winonahealth.org.
An overview of Schultz’s contributions of time and talent in our community can be found online at winonahealth.org/foundation.
(Winona Health)
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