Wisconsin Awards and Recognition

The Member of the Year Award recognizes an established member of the HFMA Wisconsin Chapter for their involvement and contributions spanning more than three years of chapter membership.

Nominate Criteria:

Eligible members will have at least three years of membership with the HFMA Wisconsin Chapter.

Member will have a demonstrated impact on the HFMA Wisconsin Chapter through chapter involvement which may include speaking at a chapter event, chapter volunteerism, participation in chapter events, pioneering chapter initiatives, contributing to chapter publications, or other activities.

In addition to nominations, the Awards & Recognition Committee may identify candidates for the award based on member records of chapter involvement. Eligible candidates will be evaluated by the Awards & Recognition Committee and finalist(s) will be reviewed by the WI HFMA Board of Directors to determine the award recipient. The chapter may determine to forego selection of an award winner or determine multiple award winners based on the candidate pool.

Nomination Form

Member of the Year Award Recipients

  • 2022-2023 Brittany Tillman
  • 2021-2022 Colleen Nolan
  • 2020-2021 Matthew Clark
  • 2019-2020 (Inaugural Year) Kathleen Olewinski 

The Mentor of the Year Award recognizes an individual who has made a positive impact on the personal and professional development of a current HFMA Wisconsin Chapter member.

Nominate Criteria:

Nominee will have a demonstrated positive impact on the nominator’s personal and professional development, through acting as an advisor, coach, role model, and/or guide. Mentorship examples include supporting the mentee in achievement of goals, connecting the mentee with resources and opportunities, exploring career paths with the mentee, providing feedback, developing skills, and sharing expertise. Membership in HFMA is not a requirement for nominees. Nominees will be evaluated by the Awards & Recognition Committee and finalist(s) will be reviewed by the WI HFMA Board of Directors to determine the award recipient. The chapter may determine to forego selection of an award winner or determine multiple award winners based on the candidate pool.

Nomination Form

Mentor of the Year Award Recipients

  • 2022-2023 Tori Munnik
  • 2021-2022 Robin Stoen, Cheryl Budworth
  • 2020-2021 Carrie Donovan, Jean Hasse, Phil Hudson, Amy Spader
  • 2019-2020 (Inaugural Year) Jesse Sookochoff

The Newcomer of the Year Award recognizes a member new to the HFMA Wisconsin Chapter for their involvement and contributions within the first three years of chapter membership.

Nominate Criteria:

Member will have a demonstrated impact on the HFMA Wisconsin Chapter through chapter involvement which may include speaking at a chapter event, chapter volunteerism, participation in chapter events, pioneering chapter initiatives, contributing to chapter publications, or other activities. In addition to nominations, the Awards & Recognition Committee may identify candidates for the award based on member records of chapter involvement. Eligible candidates will be evaluated by the Awards & Recognition Committee and finalist(s) will be reviewed by the WI HFMA Board of Directors to determine the award recipient. The chapter may determine to forego selection of an award winner or determine multiple award winners based on the candidate pool.

Nomination Form

Newcomer of the Year Award Recipients

  • 2021-2022 Aimee Smith
  • 2020-2021 Jacob Rouse
  • 2019-2020 (Inaugural Year) Thomas Cornell

The Rising Star Award recognizes a professional new to the healthcare finance field that demonstrates great potential for leading the way to improvements at their organization and in their community.

 Nominate Criteria:

Nominees will have fewer than five years of experience in positions related to healthcare finance and be currently employed in an area related to healthcare finance.

Award criteria will include demonstrated contributions to going above & beyond in their profession, innovation and leadership in their roles, dedication to continuous professional development, and impact on the betterment of their community.

In addition to nominations, the Awards & Recognition Committee may identify candidates for the award based on member records of chapter involvement. Eligible candidates will be evaluated by the Awards & Recognition Committee and finalist(s) will be reviewed by the WI HFMA Board of Directors to determine the award recipient. The chapter may determine to forego selection of an award winner or determine multiple award winners based on the candidate pool.

Nomination Form

Rising Star Award Recipients

  • 2019-2020 (Inaugural Year) Melinda Mastel

The Speaker of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding speaker for their contributions to education at an HFMA Wisconsin Chapter event.

Nominate Criteria:

Award criteria will include the overall impression made by the speaker, an innovative & valuable speaking topic, audience engagement and feedback, and presentation quality.

Speakers will be eligible from the current program year (May-April) to include the most recent Spring Conference & Annual Meeting (held in May) through the most recent conference occurring prior or during to the nomination window (closing in April).

For the 2021-2022 Award, speakers are eligible from the following conferences:

  • 2021 Spring Conference
  • 2021 Fall Conference
  • 2021 Women in Healthcare Leadership Conference
  • 2022 Mega Conference

In addition to nominations, the Awards & Recognition Committee may identify candidates for the award based on speaker evaluations. Eligible candidates will be evaluated by the Awards & Recognition Committee and/or Programs Committee and finalist(s) will be reviewed by the WI HFMA Board of Directors to determine the award recipient. The chapter may determine to forego selection of an award winner or determine multiple award winners based on the candidate pool.

Nomination Form

Past Conference Brochures and Sessions

Speaker of the Year Award Recipients

  • 2022-2023 Randy Fox
  • 2021-2022 Darcy Luoma
  • 2019-2020 (Inaugural Year) Dr. Joan Prince

The President’s Award recipient is selected by the current WI HFMA President and recognizes embodiment of the spirit of HFMA through leadership, commitment, and service. 

Past President’s Award Recipients

  • 2021-22: Colleen Nolan
  • 2020-21: Melinda Mastel
  • 2019-20: Brittany Tillman
  • 2018-19: Bruce Lorenz
  • 2017-18: Art Mertig, Kathleen Olewinski, Kirsten Wild
  • 2016-17: Brian Stephens
  • 2015-16: David Cartier
  • 2014-15: Todd Nova, Cori Schoenke
  • 2013-14: Steve Backus, Art Mertig
  • 2012-13: Pam Brindley
  • 2011-12: Shawn Gretz
  • 2010-11: Leslie Claas, Eric Summers
  • 2009-10: Tom Tanel

HFMA Association Awards

Founders Merit Award Program:

Established in 1960, the HFMA Founder’s Merit Award Program encourages, monitors, and recognizes chapter involvement by translating volunteer activities into a point system. Over time, members can earn four levels of awards based on the number of Founder’s Points accumulated.

Past WI HFMA Founder’s Merit Award Recipients

Founder’s Medal of Honor

  • Leslie Claas (2019)
  • Gordon Edwards (2019)
  • Shawn Gretz (2019)
  • David Nelson (2019)
  • Greg Shaw (2019)
  • Thomas Tanel (2019)
  • Jean Voight (2019)
  • David Cartier (2017)
  • Mark Herder (2017)
  • Catherine Jacobson (2017)
  • Gary Lewins (2017)
  • L. Bruce Lorenz (2017)
  • Kay Marsyla (2017)
  • Art Mertig (2017)
  • Michael Everson (2014)
  • David Snow (2014)
  • James Nelson (2013)
  • Lori Wink (2013)
  • Bud Zeisberger (2013)
  • Brian Potter (2010)
  • Robert Scieszinski (2010)
  • Donna Hutchinson (2009)
  • Carol May (2007)
  • Pamela Brindley (2005)
  • Sarah Hull (2003)
  • Ronald Betz (1997)
  • K. Abrams (1996)
  • Richard Donkle (1996)
  • William Bestor (1994)
  • Dolores Winkler (1993)
  • Matthew Clark (2021)
  • Kathleen Olewinski (2021)
  • Melinda Mastel (2021)
  • Steven Backus (2020)
  • Pamela Ott (2018)
  • Kevin Boren (2017)
  • Gordon Edwards (2016)
  • Leslie Claas (2015)
  • Shawn Gretz (2015)
  • Thomas Tanel (2014)
  • Mark Herder (2012)
  • David Cartier (2011)
  • Michael Everson (2011)
  • Kay Marsyla (2011)
  • Art Mertig (2011)
  • Catherine Jacobson (2010)
  • Greg Shaw (2010)
  • Julie Kressin (2022-2023)
  • Matthew Clark (2021)
  • Tracy Quinn (2021)
  • Brittany Tillman (2021)
  • Melinda Mastel (2021)
  • Kathleen Olewinski (2020)
  • Corina Schoenke (2020)
  • Matthew Streeter (2020)
  • Steven Backus (2018)
  • Alan Mendeloff (2018)
  • Pamela Ott (2017)
  • Kevin Boren (2016)
  • Shawn Gretz (2013)
  • Leslie Claas (2011)
  • Gordon Edwards (2011)
  • Thomas Tanel (2011)
  • Kay Marsyla (2010)
  • Art Mertig (2010)
  • Jesse Sookochoff (2022-2023)
  • Kyle Kovacevich (2022-2023)
  • Colleen Nolan (2021)
  • Eric Lopata (2021)
  • Jesse Smith (2021)
  • Julie Kressin (2021)
  • Melinda Mastel (2021)
  • John Bartell (2020)
  • Catherine Boelter (2020)
  • Ryan Holte (2020)
  • Kari Karaffa (2020)
  • Tracy Quinn (2020)
  • Brittany Tillman (2020)
  • Catherine Boelke (2019)
  • Matthew Clark (2019)
  • Robert Harsla (2019)
  • Kathleen Olewinski (2019)
  • Matthew Streeter (2017)
  • Carol Wolf (2017)
  • Corina Schoenke (2016)
  • Steven Backus (2014)
  • Kevin Boren (2014)
  • Scott Godden (2014)
  • Pamela Ott (2014)
  • Leslie Claas (2011)
  • Shawn Gretz (2011)
  • Phillip Rohs (2010)