The Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) recognized 60 hospital and health system teams and individuals from across the state this week for their work to strengthen patient care, communicate with patients and their communities, and support Minnesota’s health care workforce. The awards were presented during MHA’s 2026 Spring Innovation Forum.
“Across Minnesota, hospitals and health systems are finding innovative ways to improve care, strengthen the workforce, and better serve their communities,” said MHA President and CEO Dr. Rahul Koranne. “At a time when hospitals and health systems are navigating significant uncertainty, these awards highlight the dedication, creativity, and collaboration happening every day in health care organizations across our state.”
Award recipients were recognized by MHA in three categories: Quality and Safety, Workforce, and Communications.
Quality and Safety
Adverse Event Reduction
Adult ICUs, M Health Fairview – University of Minnesota Medical Center
Clinical/Quality Excellence
Brianna Green, Allina Health Cambridge Medical Center
Clinical/Quality Innovation
Cuyuna Regional Medical Center
RISE Unit, HealthPartners – Regions Hospital
Coordination of Care
St. Francis and Scott County Integrated Health Center, St. Francis Regional Medical Center
OrthoEdge Program, River’s Edge Hospital & Clinic
Conexiones Collaboration, Stevens Community Medical Center
Emerging Leader
Devyn Hudoba-LaRoque, North Memorial Health
Enduring Legacy
Rick Ash, United Hospital District
Excellence in Addressing Social Influencers of Health
Community Connect Program Resource Navigators, Children’s Minnesota
The Nest, Lakewood Health System
Excellence in Emergency Services
Emergency Department, Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital
Emergency Department, Essentia Health St. Joseph’s Medical Center
Excellence in Quality and Safety
Kimberly Piersak, CentraCare
Jessica Slaughter, Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital
Good Catch for Patient Safety
Alisha Matusiak and Dan Gunderson, HealthPartners – Lakeview Hospital
Ashley Remer, Riverwood Health Center
High Reliability Organization
Allina Health
MHA Committee Legacy
Mike Phelps, Ridgeview Medical Center
MHA Committee Stewardship
Joe Clubb, Allina Health
Patient and Family Engagement
Olmsted Medical Center
Native American Patient Family Advisory Council, Sanford Bemidji Medical Center
Substance Use Treatment Innovator
Julie Ingram, North Memorial Health
Naloxone Distribution Program, Sanford Bemidji and Sanford Bagley Medical Centers
Workplace Violence Prevention
Jason Thompson, CentraCare
MOAB Trainers, River’s Edge Hospital
Workforce
Commitment to Organizational Culture
Aspirus Lake View
Facilities Team, Winona Health
Dietary Department Excellence
Diana Buffington, Sanford Luverne Medical Center
Excellence in Community Health
Community HUB Navigators, Winona Health
Food Resource Navigators, Fairview
Excellence in Environmental Services
North Memorial Health
Excellence in Nurse Leadership
Caroline Njau, Children’s Minnesota
Colin Yahnke, Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital
Health Care Workforce Champion
Avera Health Tyler and Granite Falls
Hiring and Recruiting
Katie Peltier, Cuyuna Regional Medical Center
Talent Acquisition Team, Fairview
Nursing Assistant Excellence
Indera Persaud, Fairview Ridges Hospital
Nursing Excellence
Katherine Rousslang, Astera Health
Stephanie Janson, CentraCare St. Cloud Hospital
Nursing Innovations
Theresa Reichert, CentraCare
Cuyuna Regional Medical Center
Pharmacy Excellence
Taylor Lee, Appleton Area Health
Shawna Sprengeler, Sanford Tracy Medical Center
Pipelines and Partnerships
Aspirus Lake View
Medical Transportation EMT Trainee Program, HealthPartners – Regions Hospital
Stevens Community Medical Center
Retention and Resiliency
Office of Well-Being, Essentia Health
Michele Silence, North Shore Health
Communications
Communicator Excellence
Dana Cantleberry, Lakewood Health System
Madelin Faust, Winona Health
Kate Olson, North Memorial Health
Delivering the Message
Lisa Bjerga, Lakewood Health System
Rachelle Schultz, Winona Health
Editorial Excellence
Communications Team, Essentia Health
Communications Team, United Hospital District
Positive for Patients
“Care Chronicles” collaboration with Mpls. St. Paul Magazine, Fairview
Shining Stories
“Freddie’s Superpower Legacy”, Children’s Minnesota
Social Media and Digital Engagement
Social Media Team, Children’s Minnesota
Pelvis Party Podcast, Olmsted Medical Center
Photos of award recipients are available by request. Find more information about the MHA Awards. For more information about Minnesota hospitals, visit www.mnhospitals.org.
For interviews and more information, contact Lou Ann Olson or Tim Nelson.
