For Immediate Release

Contact: Daniel Wackershauser, Marketing Specialist
Phone: 608.822.2303
Mail: 1800 Bronson Blvd., Fennimore, WI 53809
Date of Release: April 28, 2022

Breuer honored as Unsung Champion

Tonia Breuer, Medical Assistant (MA) instructor at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, was recognized with the Unsung Champion award by the Women’s Leadership Network of Dubuque. The award was presented to Breuer during the organization’s Women of Achievement event in Dubuque, Iowa on April 7. The Unsung Champion award is given to a woman who works behind-the-scenes. “It was so nice,” said Breuer. “Everyone there was so supportive of each other even though we didn’t know each other. It was a good feeling.”

Tonia Breuer

Breuer has been an MA instructor at Southwest Tech for 18 years. “I’ve always wanted to be a nurse since I was young,” she said, noting she was on the waiting list for nursing school, so she decided to enroll in the MA program at Western Technical College when she was younger. She later earned her nursing degree and worked in the OB department at Southwest Health in Platteville, Wisconsin, before coming to Southwest Tech.

“Tonia Breuer is a selfless woman. She is always willing to put in the extra work to be sure that communities get the care that they need, and that is truly inspiring. I feel that with the work she’s put in during the pandemic, it’s my mom’s turn to feel the love and appreciation that she deserves,” stated Claire Yanna, Breuer’s oldest daughter, in her nomination, noting her mother volunteered as a site surveyor with the Medical Assisting Education Review Board, which facilitated accreditation for the college’s MA program. Yanna also highlighted her mother’s training in 2021 as a crisis counselor with the Crisis Text Line, which requires 30 hours of online training before volunteering four years weekly to assist people in moments of crisis.

Many of the students Breuer has taught at Southwest Tech have gone on to to become nurses or continue to work in the healthcare field. “I enjoy visiting the clinical sites and seeing past students in their current roles and their levels of success in their careers,” she said.

Healthcare is all about taking care of others first, however, Breuer reminds her students that the same effort needs to be put into self-care, especially during the challenges that have come with the past couple of years. “I always make sure to tell them to take care of themselves,” she said. “My question seems to be, the last year, ‘what are you doing to take care of you,’ because that’s important.”

“They can do anything,” added Breuer. “I think the medical assistant field is such an amazing starting point. I think this program is phenomenal as far as getting students in and seeing what healthcare has to offer.”

“I love what I do,” said Breuer. “I love my students and I love teaching. I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

• The Women’s Leadership Network of Dubuque is comprised of women who have a special focus. They are leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals with a sincere commitment to their careers, their families, the community, and their own personal growth.

Members meet monthly at a variety of events in which to network with other members and listen to guest speakers, expand their skills, and grow their professional network.

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| Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is one of 16 institutions that comprise the Wisconsin Technical College System. Southwest Tech offers more than 60 programs in a wide variety of disciplines. Courses are offered on campus, online and in a blended format. The college provides apprenticeship, certificate, technical diploma, and associate degree programs that respond to district workforce needs and prepare student for family-sustaining jobs and career advancement. |