To: Wisconsin and Iowa Newspapers, Television and Radio Stations
From: Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital

Date: June 4, 2004

For Immediate Release

Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital CEO Presented NRHA Lifetime Achievement Award

The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) recognized Harold W. Brown, Chief Executive Officer at Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital, for his dedication and commitment to rural health care by presenting him with the first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award.

"For more than four decades, Harold Brown has worked hard to continuously improve the lives of so many Americans who live in rural communities," NRHA President D. David Sniff said. "This award recognizes an outstanding career in service to rural health care."

This special award, presented by the NRHA Board of Directors, is not intended to be an annual award. Instead, it is designed to recognize individuals who have truly gone above and beyond in their service to rural health care. Harold Brown is one such individual, and has been singled out for his hard work in this field.

Brown has been in healthcare more than 40 years and has served as the Chief Executive Officer at Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital for the past 31 years. Not only did he lead Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital through difficult times to make it one of the highest quality, best equipped rural hospitals in the nation, but he led the way for others to do the same. He is a recognized leader at both the state and national levels and is both a member of the Department of Health and Human Services Bioterrorism Task Force and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations Professional and Technical Advisory Committee.

Brown's service and leadership in the NRHA has increased membership and participation. He served as President in 1994. Beyond his service to rural America, he is a retired Navy Commander, who led a distinguished career in the Armed Forces. His counsel has been sought by the Congress on many occasions, and he is recognized by many at the highest levels as an expert in rural healthcare.

"It was the opinion of the Board that no other member has so greatly influenced healthcare policy and service and that he is singularly deserving of this special award," Sniff said.

The award was presented at the Awards Program at the National Rural Health Association 2004 Annual Conference in San Diego, California. The presentation included a video featuring numerous photos of Harold Brown, his family, and throughout his career at Memorial Hospital.

Unable to present the award in person, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy G. Thompson, former Governor of Wisconsin shared his congratulatory remarks to Harold Brown via video presentation. He stated, "As a Wisconsin native and former governor, I especially appreciate your long and exceptional service to Badger States residents-and to Iowans from across the river, too. You have a strong record of providing high quality health care to those who need it most, and I join with the members of NRHA in thanking you for a career dedicated to improving health care and quality of life in rural America."

The NRHA includes more than 7,000 members and staff. Harold Brown was presented letters of congratulations from over 20 dignitaries including President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush, U.S. Surgeon General, U.S. Senators and Representatives, American Hospital Association, Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative, local physicians, and the Board of Directors and employees of Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital.

NRHA also recognized Harold Brown's wife, Karen Brown. Karen was among the first nurse practitioners in Wisconsin, and she also dedicated her career of 27 years to providing healthcare to families.

Harold and Karen Brown live in Prairie du Chien. Their family includes their four children and their spouses: Tammy and Brian Herman, Carlsbad, CA; Brice and Debra Brown, Milwaukee, WI; Jenny and Walt Gillespie, Poway, CA; and Kevin and Betsy Brown, Issaquah, WA. The Brown's family also includes their 12 grandchildren.

Harold W. Brown, CEO at Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital, was presented the first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Rural Health Association. He has been in healthcare more than 40 years continuously improving the lives of many Americans who live in rural communities through his dedication and commitment in rural health care. Harold Brown led Memorial Hospital through difficult times to make it one of the highest quality, best equipped rural hospitals in the nation.