ST. PAUL — Fourteen hospital trustees from across Minnesota were recognized for earning certification through the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) 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.   

Trustees who have completed MHA board certification are eligible to participate in an additional eight hours of coursework to obtain advanced certification, which provides education to ensure excellence, innovation and accountability in health care governance.   

“In Minnesota, more and more hospital trustees are formally preparing themselves to address the complex issues facing hospitals and health systems today,” said Matthew Anderson, interim president and CEO, MHA. “Our trustee certification program proactively ensures that hospital leaders are equipped to make good decisions. Earning certification demonstrates a trustee’s commitment to the patients and communities the hospital serves.”   

Newly certified trustees include:

• Essentia Health, Duluth: Joseph Mihalek
• Hendricks Community Hospital Association: Vince Robinson
• Northfield Hospital & Clinics: CC Linstroth
• Ortonville Area Health Services: Gene Hausauer
• Ridgeview Le Sueur Medical Center: Kay King
• Riverwood Healthcare Center, Aitkin: Christine Bright
• Tri-County Health Care, Wadena: Gerald McCullough, M.D.; Shaneen Schmidt   

Trustees obtaining advanced certification include: 

• Avera Granite Falls: Joseph Fagnano 
• CCM Health, Montevideo: Nathan Schmidt 
• Cook Hospital & Care Center: Shirley Sanborn 
• Lakewood Health System, Staples: Robert Mueller, Barbara Peterson 
• North Shore Health, Grand Marais: Kay Olson   

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

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

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