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:   

CentraCare Health – Paynesville
Marlys Houk   

Community Memorial Center, Cloquet
Pam Grover   

Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, Crosby
Nancy Marie Moritz   

Granite Falls Municipal Hospital and Manor
Mitch Ayers   

Johnson Memorial Health Services, Dawson
Carla Johnson   

Mercy Hospital, Moose Lake
Laurie Jean Tomczak   

Northfield Hospital
Steve O’Neill   

Ortonville Area Health Services
Ronald Thomas   

RiverView Health, Crookston
Robin Brekken
Trent Fischer   

Sanford Bemidji Medical Center
James A. Russ   

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.