Steil Presents Racine Physicians with 2026 Health Care Hero Awards

Racine, WI - Today, Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) presented Dr. Paul Durbin and Dr. Patricia Golden with Wisconsin's First Congressional District's 2026 Health Care Hero of the Year Award for their exceptional service to patients and communities across Southeast Wisconsin.

"Our community is incredibly grateful for the health care professionals working on the front lines. Dr. Durbin and Dr. Golden exemplify the compassion, dedication, and selflessness that define our health care heroes. Their commitment to their patients, colleagues, and communities has made a lasting difference across Southeast Wisconsin. Congratulations to Dr. Durbin and Dr. Golden."

Dr. Paul Durbin, recognized as Wisconsin's First Congressional District's Healthcare Worker of the Year. Dr. Durbin is an internal medicine physician who has served patients at Ascension All Saints in Racine for 28 years. According to his nomination, Dr. Durbin he has built lasting relationships with patients and their families while earning recognition for his expertise in preventive medicine and chronic disease management. He has received six Guardian Angel Awards and has been repeatedly recognized as a Top Doctor by local publications.

Beyond his medical practice, Dr. Durbin has dedicated himself to serving vulnerable populations in Racine and around the world. For 13 years, he has helped lead an annual medical mission to Guatemala, coordinating nearly 70 volunteers to provide medical and dental care to underserved communities. He also serves on the board of HALO, Racine's homeless shelter, volunteers through Grace Church, and has helped lead Ascension's Medical Mission at Home events. Alongside his wife, Jennifer, Dr. Durbin has also opened their home to foster children, including medically complex children who require specialized care.

Rep. Steil with Dr. Paul Durbin

Dr. Patricia Golden, recognized as a Health Care Hero, is a family medicine physician and Chief Medical Officer for Ascension Medical Group Wisconsin. According to her nomination, Dr. Golden's career has focused on improving the health of individuals, families, and communities across southeastern Wisconsin. For more than 20 years, she has balanced compassionate patient care with physician leadership and has served for more than a decade as Medical Director of Ascension Wisconsin's Community Clinics, providing clinical leadership for programs serving Southeast Wisconsin's most vulnerable residents.

Dr. Golden has also served for more than 10 years as Medical Advisor to the Franklin Health Department, helping guide public health planning, disease prevention, emergency preparedness, and community wellness. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she helped lead Ascension Wisconsin's regional response and develop a mobile testing playbook that was shared with other health systems, public health agencies, and community partners. She continues to mentor future health care professionals, recruit physicians to southeastern Wisconsin, and volunteer with organizations serving underserved communities.

Rep. Bryan Steil with Dr. Patricia Golden

For more photos from the event, click here.

Background:

Recipients of this award were nominated by residents of Wisconsin and selected by Wisconsin's First Congressional District's Health Care Advisory Board.

The Advisory Board is comprised of health care professionals across Southeast Wisconsin.

The Advisory Board evaluated nominees on the following criteria:

SERVICE: Displays exemplary service and performance in their profession.

DEDICATION: Upholds the standard of providing unsurpassed care and treatment for their patients and goes above and beyond the call of duty in performing their responsibilities.

SELFLESSNESS: Displays self-sacrifice and selflessness in caring for others.

Nominees must reside in Wisconsin's 1st Congressional District and be a licensed health care professional.

This is the seventh annual 1st Congressional District Health Care Hero of the Year Award.