Contact: Paul Meznarich
715-838-5805
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – Luther Midelfort employees Joel Roberts, Angela Eberhardt and Deb Fischer recently were appointed to the 2010 Board of Examiners for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. The Baldrige Award, administered through the U.S. Department of Commerce, is the highest level of recognition for performance excellence that a U.S. organization can receive. The Baldrige National Quality Program has been promoting innovation and performance excellence since its inception in 1987.
It is the second consecutive year Luther Midelfort has had three staff members named as examiners, bringing the organization’s total of past or present examiners to six.
Roberts is a process specialist in Quality Resources, Eberhardt is director of Digestive Health, and Fischer is vice president of quality and organizational improvement.
Each year between 800 to 1,000 people apply, with about 500 selected to serve a one-year term on the Board of Examiners.
Upon selection, examiners undergo a week of training where they learn how to evaluate applications for the award. Thereafter, they will receive an application to assess. This year 83 organizations from across the country are applying for the Baldrige National Quality Award.
“Reviewing Baldrige applications lets us learn how others harness innovation and make real changes that benefit their organizational results,” Fischer said. “Being involved in the Baldrige process has proved to be very beneficial for Luther Midelfort and ultimately, our patients.”
Since 1988, nearly 5,000 public and private sector leaders have served on the independent Board of Examiners, and 75 organizations have received a Baldrige Award.
Named after Malcolm Baldrige, the 26th secretary of commerce, the Baldrige Award was established by Congress in 1987 to enhance the competitiveness and performance of U.S. businesses. The award promotes excellence in organizational performance, recognizes the achievements and results of U.S. organizations, and publicizes successful performance strategies.
The Baldrige program is managed by the Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in conjunction with the private sector.
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In partnership with Mayo Clinic, Luther Midelfort offers a full range of quality medical services, including cardiac and orthopedic surgery, cancer and trauma care programs. Through a network of community-based healthcare providers in west-central Wisconsin, Luther Midelfort provides access to experts close to home.
