Ascension Wisconsin Clinicians Awarded Health Care Workers of the Year

Two Ascension Wisconsin clinicians received Wisconsin's First Congressional District Health Care Worker of the Year Award on September 3, 2024. They were recognized by Congressman Brayn Steil as heroes who have gone above and beyond to help our community and their patients.

Rachel, Cortez, RN, CEN, SANE-A, SANE-P, was chosen for creating and leading a 24/7 Mobile Sexual Assault Treatment Center; a team of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) who aid any patient in need, within 60 minutes, after entering any Ascension facility in southeastern Wisconsin. When receiving her award Cortez said, "I want to thank my family for understanding when I get called away, my amazing team, and the patients for their courage who seek help in our hospitals." Cortez's colleagues describe her as a powerful advocate for trauma-informed care and praise her for empowering patients who have experienced sexual assault and domestic violence. Her impact by providing compassionate care and training of hundreds of SANE nurses across Wisconsin is immeasurable and our community is blessed to have her.

David Galbis-Reig, MD, Medical Director of Addiction Services at Ascension All Saints Hospital was selected for his unwavering commitment to his patients who struggle with addiction and saving and transforming the lives of countless individuals in our community. Dr. Galbis-Reig said, "No one does this work alone and we have an amazing care team at Ascension. We're here to give patients the tools they need to help themselves heal and lead healthy lives." By training clinicians across Wisconsin how to treat opioid use disorder, he has helped expand the availability of clinicians for those most vulnerable in need of these life-saving services.

Both Dr. Galbis-Reig and Rachel Cortez have demonstrated an unyielding dedication to Ascension's Mission by keeping it prioritized at the center of all they do.