2015 State Employee Awards

Agency / Employee(s)	Awards and Honors
Department of Health	Infectious disease epidemiologist Nick Hill, Pierre, received the Outstanding Contribution to Public Health Awardfor significant public health contributions over the course of his career. Hill has been instrumental in developing the state’s electronic disease surveillance system. The system provides quicker access to disease surveillance data and more timely response to outbreaks. It is recognized as a national model. Stacy Ellwanger, Pierre, received an Excellence in the Workplace Award for outstanding performance during the past year. She is the Administrator of the environmental and forensic section of the department’s public health laboratory. Ellwanger has filled numerous leadership roles at the laboratory, including serving as interim director, deputy director and building manager following the retirement of the previous director. She now serves as mentor for the laboratory’s first-ever environmental fellow from the Association of Public Health Laboratories. Andy Klitzke, Pierre, received an Excellence in the Workplace Award for outstanding performance during the past year. As regional emergency coordinator and hospital preparedness program coordinator for the department, Klitzke led the state’s public health and medical services support planning effort for the 75th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. He pulled local, state and federal partners together, leading the effort to not only identify gaps but the resources to fill them. The resulting partnership led to a more organized, efficient and effective medical response. Shannon Muchow, RN, of Spearfish, received the Rising Star Award, which recognizes a newer department employee who is making a significant contribution. Muchow is a community health nurse for the department’s Lawrence County office in Spearfish where she is well liked by clients and has earned the respect and trust of her co-workers as well. She is known for offering the highest level of care possible, regardless of the situation, and for her strong commitment to the profession of nursing.

Agency / Employee(s)

Awards and Honors

Department of Health

Infectious disease epidemiologist Nick Hill, Pierre, received the Outstanding Contribution to Public Health Awardfor significant public health contributions over the course of his career. Hill has been instrumental in developing the state’s electronic disease surveillance system. The system provides quicker access to disease surveillance data and more timely response to outbreaks. It is recognized as a national model.

Stacy Ellwanger, Pierre, received an Excellence in the Workplace Award for outstanding performance during the past year. She is the Administrator of the environmental and forensic section of the department’s public health laboratory. Ellwanger has filled numerous leadership roles at the laboratory, including serving as interim director, deputy director and building manager following the retirement of the previous director. She now serves as mentor for the laboratory’s first-ever environmental fellow from the Association of Public Health Laboratories.

Andy Klitzke, Pierre, received an Excellence in the Workplace Award for outstanding performance during the past year. As regional emergency coordinator and hospital preparedness program coordinator for the department, Klitzke led the state’s public health and medical services support planning effort for the 75th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. He pulled local, state and federal partners together, leading the effort to not only identify gaps but the resources to fill them. The resulting partnership led to a more organized, efficient and effective medical response.

Shannon Muchow, RN, of Spearfish, received the Rising Star Award, which recognizes a newer department employee who is making a significant contribution. Muchow is a community health nurse for the department’s Lawrence County office in Spearfish where she is well liked by clients and has earned the respect and trust of her co-workers as well. She is known for offering the highest level of care possible, regardless of the situation, and for her strong commitment to the profession of nursing.