Governor Walker Joins in Honoring the Legacy of Former Secretary Kitty Rhoades

Governor Walker Joins in Honoring the Legacy of Former Secretary Kitty Rhoades

Hudson – Governor Scott Walker joined the family and friends of former Department of Health Secretary Kitty Rhoades today in Hudson for the announcement of the “Secretary Kitty Rhoades Music & Memory Grant,” which brings personalized music to Wisconsin residents living with dementia.

“Kitty dedicated her life as a public servant to bettering the lives of the people of Wisconsin,” Governor Walker said. “She was especially passionate about improving care and services for those living with dementia and was a firm believer in the strong link between music and memory.”

The Secretary Kitty Rhoades Music & Memory Grant was made possible from the many generous memorial donations received by the Rhoades family. The grant will benefit more than 100 residents living in 15 assisted living communities throughout the state that are not yet certified Music & Memory organizations.

“Kitty’s work with the Music & Memory organization to help Wisconsinites struggling with dementia reconnect with their loved ones and surroundings through music-triggered memories was inspiring,” added Governor Walker. “I am proud to call Kitty a colleague and dear friend and am overjoyed her legacy lives on through the Secretary Kitty Rhoades Music & Memory Grant.”

Music & Memory is a nonprofit organization seeking to improve the lives of those living with dementia through personalized music. They train nursing home staff, health care professionals, as well as family caregivers on how to create and provide personalized playlists using iPods. The aim of the organization is to make use of personalized music a new standard of care throughout the health care industry.

Kitty Rhoades passed away in June, 2016.