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.

2010 Winner

Silas ("Buck") Foot, trustee, Fairview Red Wing Medical Center
This winner helped integrate Red Wing's many health care organizations through negotiations with Fairview Health Services.

His legal training, business acuity, love of community and commitment to the health of the region shaped the final agreement, which maintained local autonomy.

Silas Foot continues to contribute to health care as a member of the boards for his hospital and for Fairview. As part of that work, he was instrumental in discussions that led to an investment of $37 million and the construction of a new state-of-the-art medical center in 2001.

The president and CEO of this trustee's hospital said: "He is a mentor, advisor and trusted community leader ... His leadership, though quiet and often behind the scenes, is embedded in integrity."

Past Trustee of the Year Award winners include:
2009: Gail Blackmer, Bigfork Valley Hospital
2007/2008: Connie Weinman, Fairview Health Services, Minneapolis
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, North Country Health Services, Bemidji
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