Richland Center, WI – The Richland Hospital and Clinics (TRHC) hosted its Centennial Celebration and 5K on Sunday, September 15, at the Kilian Meyer Building. The event included live music, free food, and speakers commemorating the organization’s milestone.
More than 100 people participated in the 5K. “We were excited to offer an active way to be involved with our celebration,” said Savanah Tydrich, a hospital employee who leads the organization’s Wellness Team. “We know movement is a key to health, so it was a fitting way to celebrate.”
“We’re incredibly proud of reaching this milestone,” said CEO Bruce Roesler, “and excited to celebrate our centennial with the community. As a nonprofit entity, we belong to the people of the Richland County area and are here to serve them.”
People of all ages participated in the run and enjoyed the event’s live music, provided by Donnie Reyzek. Lawn games, a visual timeline, photo montages of hospital employees from the past, and cupcakes created a festive atmosphere.
Speakers included long-time hospital employee and former Chief Nursing Officer Cindy Hanold; Executive Director of Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative Tim Size; Dr. Neil Bard; and John Annear, who currently serves as Chairperson on the hospital’s Board of Directors.
The speakers looked back at hospital history, thanked the Richland community for its support, and anticipated the organization’s future. Hanold contrasted the surgical procedures in her early days as a nurse in the ‘70s with today’s practices. Dr. Bard paired a musical timeline, sharing popular tunes from each decade, with a list of doctors who shaped The Richland Hospital since the 1920s.
Tim Size shared a broad perspective on the future of rural health in the state. By 2035, it’s estimated that the statewide health care workforce will face a 20% shortage. “It’s crucial that we help young people visualize how important, how joyful a career in health care can be,” Size said. He praised the efforts of community groups like The Richland Hospital Foundation and Partners of The Richland Hospital and Clinics whose scholarships support many people as they pursue health care careers.
The day’s final speaker was John Annear. After sharing anecdotes about positive experiences at The Richland Hospital and Clinics through the years, Annear spoke directly to hospital employees, past and present: “You may not always realize how impactful your work is to patients and families,” Annear said, “but your work is noble work.
More about the history of The Richland Hospital and Clinics and a photo album of the day’s events can be found on the TRHC website “Our History” page here.
The Richland Hospital and Clinics is a nationally awarded health care facility dedicated to caring, educating, and healing. Providing compassionate care for 100 years to residents of the greater Richland County area, TRHC operates an independent, integrated group medical practice in three locations, including rural health clinics in Spring Green and Muscoda and a critical access hospital at its primary location in Richland Center, WI.
