“This gives us an opportunity to say ‘thank you’ and recognize them for all their hard work,” said Chuck Nelson, chief operating officer for Michigan and chief administrative officer for Marshfield Medical Center-Dickinson. “The health care community has faced a lot of challenges the last couple years and today we are celebrating our achievements and (our) making it through some pretty tough times.”

An employee recognition day event is an initiative that Marshfield Clinic Health System Foundation encourages for all the hospitals in the system, said Joe Rizzo, director of public relations and business development at Marshfield Medical Center-Dickinson.

Rizzo added they recommend a summer picnic, but the hospital wanted to expand on that and make it a carnival.

“We are trying to have a little more fun — activity based — little more light-hearted than just coming out and eating,” added Nelson. In addition to being treated to a picnic lunch, staff was able to participate in cornhole and javelin throw competition. They even got the chance to get Rizzo wet in the dunk tank with prizes awarded.

Rebecca Prestly takes her turn in the cornhole competition while Teresa Schettler tallies her score at Tuesday’s employee carnival at Marshfield Medical Center Dickinson in Iron Mountain.

The dietary team at the hospital prepared the luncheon.

“They worked hard work and put a lot of effort to make sure the final product for the event is fantastic,” said Rizzo.

Marshfield Medical Center-Dickinson has approximately 800 employees.

Becky Dessellier takes aim to get Joe Rizzo into the dunk tank Tuesday.