19 hospital leaders join 118 others in state who have completed comprehensive certification training

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Nineteen 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:   

CHI St. Joseph's Health, Park Rapids
Kathy Henry   

Cook Hospital & C&NC
Shirley Conaway
Wendy Long 

Douglas County Hospital, Alexandria
James Stratton   

Essentia Health-St. Joseph's Medical Center, Brainerd
Robert L. McLean   

FirstLight Health System, Mora
Teri Heggernes
Robert Musgrove   

Granite Falls Municipal Hospital & Manor
Jan Anderson   

Johnson Memorial Health Services, Dawson
Dan Fondell
George Thesing   

Lakewood Health System, Staples
Julie Benson, M.D.   

Mahnomen Health Center
Karen Ahmann   

Northfield Hospital
Charles Kyte
Michelle Muench, M.D.   

Perham Health
Alisyn Keil   

Pipestone County Medical Center
Luke Johnson   

Rice Memorial Hospital, Willmar
Michael Gardner, DDS   

St. Luke’s Hospital, Duluth
Edwin K. Hall   

Tri-County Health Care, Wadena
David Quincer   

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.