ST. PAUL, Minn. — Eight hospital trustees from across Minnesota were recognized for earning certification through the Minnesota Hospital Association’s trustee certification program. The comprehensive certification process prepares hospital trustees to effectively meet the growing demands of serving on a hospital board and to be strong health care and community leaders.

By participating in MHA’s voluntary certification program, hospital trustees receive training on current health care trends, governance best practices, ethics, government regulations, patient safety and quality. Participants undergo 35 hours of coursework, making Minnesota’s initiative the most comprehensive in the nation.

“In Minnesota, more and more hospital trustees are formally preparing themselves to address the often complicated issues facing hospitals and health systems today,” said Lawrence Massa, MHA president and CEO. “Our trustee certification program proactively ensures that hospital leaders are well-prepared to make good decisions.”

“With so many changes in health care policy and practice — especially under federal and state health care reform — hospital trustees want this kind of support to be strong leaders in their organizations,” Massa said. “Earning this certification demonstrates a trustee’s commitment to the patients and communities the hospital serves.”

Following are the newly certified trustees:

Rice Memorial Hospital, Willmar
Douglas W. Allen

Johnson Memorial Health Services, Dawson
Dustin Citrowske

Swift County-Benson Hospital
Dan Enderson

United Hospital District, Blue Earth
Barbara Hanson

Granite Falls Municipal Hospital & Manor
LaVonne Koenen

Mercy Hospital, Moose Lake
Anna Lattu

Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, Crosby
Richard Schiller

Unity Hospital, Fridley
John Swenson

For more information about MHA’s hospital trustee certification program, visit www.mnhospitals.org/trustees. For more information about Minnesota hospitals, visit www.mnhospitals.org.

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The Minnesota Hospital Association represents 137 hospitals and health systems, which provide quality care for their patients and meet the needs of their communities.