Spectrum Health Presents Northern Lights Education Award

Marie Wilkerson recognized for strengthening community and education in Evart

BIG RAPIDS & REED CITY, Mich., May 19, 2017 – Spectrum Health is proud to honor Marie Wilkerson with the 2017 Northern Lights Education Award for her support to Evart’s community and education.

The Northern Lights awards are given by the Spectrum Health Foundation Big Rapids and Reed City Hospitals each year to recognize the contributions of outstanding individuals, groups or programs making a difference in our region.

Though Marie is a retired school administrator her passion for education continues. For years she has been an involved member of the Mecosta-Osceola School Board that focuses on quality educational programs provided to all students throughout the area.

As an Evart native, Marie recently has dedicated her time to her hometown. In 2015 Evart was identified as an eligible city under Governor Snyder’s Rising Tide program, a state-funded initiative that provides challenged communities with tools to build better economic development to attract business. Because of this designation, Marie wanted to engage in the progress of the community and strongly campaigned for the Evart Reads program for young readers.

Marie’s advocacy recruited over 45 volunteers for the Evart Reads program, which relies heavily on the work of volunteers. “The tireless work by Marie to recruit this many volunteers in such a small community was amazing,” said Dr Curtis Finch, superintendent of Mecosta-Osceola Intermediate School District.

“The children in the Evart area are benefitting immensely from The Evart Reads program. A large part of its success is owed to Marie’s ability to inspire and motivate people into making a difference in their community by volunteering.”

Photo Attached: Dr Curtis Finch, superintendent of MOISD and Marie Wilkerson

People are at the heart of everything we do, and the inspiration for our legacy of outstanding outcomes, innovation, strong community partnerships, philanthropy and transparency. Corewell Health is a not-for-profit health system that provides health care and coverage with an exceptional team of 60,000+ dedicated people—including more than 11,500 physicians and advanced practice providers and more than 15,000 nurses providing care and services in 21 hospitals, 300+ outpatient locations and several post-acute facilities—and Priority Health, a provider-sponsored health plan serving more than 1.3 million members. Through experience and collaboration, we are reimagining a better, more equitable model of health and wellness. For more information, visit corewellhealth.org.

Contact:
Patricia Ezdebski
Marketing and Public Relations
Office: 231.845.2350
Mobile: 231.301.4864
Email: patricia.ezdebski@corewellhealth.org

Danielle Wells
Media Relations Contact
Email: danielle.wells@spectrumhealth.org