The Policy and Advocacy Committee evaluates issues of interest and importance to MHA's members and makes proactive recommendations for strategic policy positions and the MHA legislative agenda to the board of directors. The committee also provides a forum for discussion and evaluation of non-MHA legislative proposals.

Members of the 2010 Policy and Advocacy Committee include the following individuals:

• Chair: Margaret E. Perryman, President, Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare, St. Paul
• Rick Breuer, CEO & Administrator, Community Memorial Hospital, Cloquet
• Megan M. Cox, Allina Hospitals & Clinics, Minneapolis
• Sara Criger, Chief Executive Officer, St. Joseph's Hospital, St. Paul
• Jason Douglas, Chief Executive Officer, Mercy Hospital & Health Care Center, Moose Lake
• Mary Edwards, Vice President, Public Policy, Fairview Health Services, Minneapolis
• Paul Hanson, FACHE, President & CEO, North Country Health Services, Bemidji
• Shawntera Hardy, Manager, Government Relations, HealthPartners Inc., Minneapolis
• Michael Harristhal, Vice President, Public Policy & Strategy, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis
• Michael Hedrix, Senior Vice President of Operations, Essential Community Hospitals & Clinics, New Brighton
• Mark Henke, Chief Executive Officer, Sanford Hospital Luverne
• Jo Ann Hoag, Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer, St. Luke's Hospital, Duluth
• Frank Iossi, Director, State Government Relations, Mayo Clinic Rochester
• Margaret Kalina, Director, Patient Care Services, Douglas County Hospital, Alexandria
• Susan Klabo, CEO & Administrator, Mahnomen Health Center
• Jeffrey Lang, Chief Executive Officer, United Hospital District, Blue Earth
• Frank Lawatsch, Chief Executive Officer, Swift County-Benson Hospital
• Scott Leitz, MA, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis
• Mary Maertens, Chief Executive Officer, Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center
• Michael J. Mahoney, Vice President, Government Affairs, Essentia Health, Duluth
• Tara Mulloy, Coordinator, State Government Relations, Park Nicollet Health Services, Minneapolis;
• Buck McAlpin, EMS Director, North Memorial Medical Center, Robbinsdale
• Thomas O'Connor, President, Mercy Hospital, Coon Rapids
• Steven Perkins, Board Member, Sanford Hospital Luverne
• Stephen Pribyl, Chief Administrative Officer, Fairmont Medical Center - Mayo Health System
• Mark Skubic, Vice President, Government Relations, Park Nicollet Health Services, Minneapolis
• Jesse Tischer, Administrator/CEO, Wheaton Community Hospital
• Diane Twedell, Nurse Administrator, Mayo Clinic Rochester
• Carl Vaagenes, President & CEO, St. Gabriel's Hospital, Little Falls
• Pennie Viggiano, System Director, Government Populations, HealthEast Care System, St. Paul
• Jani Wiebolt, President, St. Joseph's Medical Center, Brainerd
• Lori Wightman, President, New Ulm Medical Center
• Scott Wordelman, President & CEO, Fairview Red Wing Medical Center
• Donna Zimmerman, Vice President/Gov't. & Community Relations, HealthPartners Inc., Minneapolis
• Staff: Mary Krinkie, Vice President, Government Relations, Minnesota Hospital Association, St. Paul