Stewart Memorial Hospital and Clinics has named Ann Riat, PT, MSPT, as its 2025 third-quarter Exceptional Experience Award winner for her outstanding dedication to patient care. She was nominated by a colleague, Ashley Mork, after Riat volunteered to treat a patient with mastitis in response to an urgent request from a Storm Lake clinic. Although the rehab team had never treated the condition before, Riat quickly researched the appropriate therapeutic ultrasound settings and arranged to see the patient on her own time that Saturday, just ahead of a holiday weekend. Thanks to Riat’s initiative, the patient, who had been in pain for more than two weeks, received prompt relief and compassionate care. Her actions not only improved one patient’s experience but also helped set a precedent for treating similar cases in the future. Hospital leaders say Riat’s compassion and commitment reflect the mission of Stewart Memorial and embody the values behind the Exceptional Experience Award.
