Sauk County Public Health Nurse Rebecca Szydlowski Receives Excellence in Public Health Nursing Award

Rebecca Szydlowski (left) and Jessie Phalen (right) at the Wisconsin Public Health Association Conference.

Sauk County, Wis. — Public Health Sauk County is pleased to share that Public Health Nurse Rebecca Szydlowski has received the Excellence in Public Health Nursing (“Florence Nightingale”) Award from the Wisconsin Public Health Association. The award honors a nurse who demonstrates exceptional practice, leadership, and dedication to the community they serve. This recognition reflects her outstanding contributions to public health and the impact of her work in Sauk County. Award recipients were recognized earlier in May at the WPHA Conference in Wisconsin Dells.

Rebecca’s most well-known efforts involve injury prevention, as she leads the Sauk County Safe Kids Coalition and serves as the coordinator for the county’s Rural Safety Day Camp program. However, her work extends far beyond those efforts. She also leads Public Health Sauk County’s Tuberculosis (TB) program and many parts of the organization’s immunization program, both of which she has strengthened to better reach underserved populations throughout the county.

"Receiving this award is truly an honor,” Becca says. “I'm grateful to work alongside such a dedicated team and to serve the Sauk County community every day.”

Jessie Phalen, Deputy Director for Public Health Sauk County, adds, “Becca exemplifies everything public health nursing stands for. She shows up every day with expertise and heart, and her work has made a real difference for families across Sauk County. We're so fortunate to have her on our team.”

About Public Health Sauk County

Public Health Sauk County supports the well-being of all people in our community. Through wellness programs, environmental health initiatives, and a focus on creating systemic change, we cultivate healthier places and people so that Sauk County can thrive. For more information on our programs and services, visit https://www.co.sauk.wi.us/publichealth.

 

Contact: Jessie Phalen, Deputy Director
Public Health Sauk County
608-355-3290, Jessie.phalen@saukcountywi.gov

Posted May 29, 2026.

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