Minnesota's hospital trustees dedicate countless hours to the preservation of health care in his or her community. These individuals have distinguished themselves by providing unique leadership and guidance to their hospital or system board.

MHA Trustee of the Year
Each year the Minnesota Hospital Association honors a board member of a hospital or system who has dedicated countless hours and skills to the preservation of health care in his or her community. The MHA Trustee of the Year award honors someone who has contributed significantly to the health of their community by providing leadership and guidance to the hospital or system board.

2007 Winner
Connie Weinman of Fairview Health Services of Minneapolis -- Weinman has exhibited thoughtful, dynamic leadership for hospitals and health care for a quarter century. She has provided sound guidance though successive hospital mergers, all while keeping a close eye on needs in the community and trends in the industry. Her understanding of the importance of aligning academic and community medicine improves the health of our state, ensuring the viability of the medical breakthroughs possible at a leading research university hospital.

Past Trustee of the Year Award winners
2006: Steven Perkins, Sanford Luverne Hospital
2005: Joanell Dyrstad, Fairview Red Wing Health Services and Fairview Health Services; and
Doug Williams, North Country Health Services, Bemidji
2004: Dr. Lowell (Ted) Gillett, North Country Health Services, Bemidji
2003: Luther P. Nervig, Tri-County Hospital, Wadena
2002: Royce Sanner, Fairview Health Services, Minneapolis
2001: Gary Evans, Winona Health
2000: Norma Schleppegrell, Fairview-University Medical Center, Hibbing; Runner-up: Al Kremers, St. Cloud Hospital
1999: Kenneth Althoff, Cannon Falls Community Hospital
1998: George Winn, Queen of Peace Hospital, New Prague; and Anne Jones, Fairview Red Wing Hospital, Red Wing
1997: Melvin Nefstead, Lakewood Health System, Staples
1996: Michael Fay, Fairview Health System, Minneapolis
1995: James Rundquist, Waseca Area Medical Center
1994: Warren Larson
1993: Clinton Schroeder, Fairview Health System, Minneapolis
1992: Worth Bruntjen, Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis
1991: Vern Hoium, Mercy/Unity Hospitals, Minneapolis
1990: Robert Becklin, Cambridge Medical Center