Past Recipients
The R. Paul Venzke Distinguished Service Award for Outstanding Performance in the Field of Healthcare Risk Management was created by the Michigan Society of Healthcare Risk Management (MSHRM) in honor of the late R. Paul Venzke, a founder and the first President of MSHRM. The candidate who best exemplifies the qualities of excellence and professionalism is selected from the nominees who meet all application criteria.
The award recognizes a Risk Management Professional who has demonstrated:
- Excellence in the field through verifiable positive impact on patient safety or risk reduction
- Leadership behaviors
- Service as a role model to others
- A strong commitment to the furtherance of the risk management profession
The 2025-2026 R. Paul Venzke Award application will be available soon
Award Recipients:
- 2025 - Heather Schragg
- 2024 - Katherine Early
- 2023 - Molly Nolan
- 2021 - Sonja Wilcox-Berriel, Esq
- 2020 - Theodore Passineau
- 2019 - Kristen Rifenbark
- 2017 - Karen Stein
- 2016 - Jill Gibson
- 2015 - Janet Bigelow
- 2014 - Kathleen Lanava
- 2013 - Julie Erickson
- 2012 - Margaret Curtin
- 2011 - Janelle Mickelson
- 2010 - Sherri Thrasher
- 2009 - Kevin Cole
- 2008 - Rick Boothman
- 2007 - Kim McCoy
- 2006 - Susan Anderson
- 2005 - Jane Gale
- 2004 - Bridget Tucker-Gonder
- 2003 - Rebecca Schultz
- 2002 - Greg Knuth
- 2001 - Raeann Shepherd
- 2000 - Chris Sangalli
- 1999 - Bonnie Schreiber
- 1998 - Michelle Hoppes
- 1997 - Ann Munro
- 1996 - Chandra Morse
- 1995 - Mary Ursul
- 1994 - Kevin Cole
- 1993 - Lawrence Herron
- 1992 - Ann Flood
- 1991 - Jerre Ward
- 1990 - Sandra Frazier
- 1989 - Margaret Rand
- 1988 - Richard Sardelli
- 1987 - Marcie Obie
- 1986 - James Holland
- 1985 - Joseph Nelson
- 1984 - Bill Devereaux
