Minnesota's hospital trustees dedicate countless hours to the preservation of health care in his or her community. These individuals have distinguished themselves by providing unique leadership and guidance to their hospital or system board.

MHA Trustee of the Year

Each year the Minnesota Hospital Association honors a board member of a hospital or system who has dedicated countless hours and skills to the preservation of health care in his or her community. The MHA Trustee of the Year award honors someone who has contributed significantly to the health of their community by providing leadership and guidance to the hospital or system board.

2011 Winner: Michael Ryan, Riverwood Healthcare Center, Aitkin

For 20 years, from 1991 to 2010, Michael Ryan served on the Riverwood Healthcare Center governing board of directors and provided the leadership necessary to support expansion and enhancement of quality health-care services for rural Aitkin County communities. Ryan joined the 11-member governing board in 1991 and served as chair from 1994 until he passed away in September 2010.

During his time on the board, Ryan oversaw major growth in local health-care services and in facility changes. Ryan was instrumental in building board consensus to move ahead with a $20 million integrated hospital and clinic facility. Under Ryan's leadership on the Riverwood board, the number of facility practice and internal medicine practitioners grew from five to 20, and the number of surgeons, specialty physicians and other practitioners grew from three to 35. Ryan's board colleagues commended him for his ability to help the board confront difficult issues head on in a climate of openness, respect and candor.

Ryan led Riverwood through many difficult challenges as well as outstanding achievements in the growth and development of staff. His long-term commitment to sustaining and improving quality health care services for the largely rural population Riverwood serves is a lasting legacy that deserves recognition.

Ryan was posthumously honored with the award at MHA's Annual Awards Banquet May 6 at the Metropolitan Ballroom in suburban Minneapolis.

Past Trustee of the Year Award winners include:

2010: Silas ("Buck") Foot, Fairview Red Wing Medical Center
2009: Gail Blackmer, Bigfork Valley Hospital
2007/2008: Connie Weinman, Fairview Health Services, Minneapolis
2006: Steven Perkins, Sanford Luverne Hospital
2005: Joanell Dyrstad, Fairview Red Wing Health Services and Fairview Health Services; and Doug Williams, North Country Health Services, Bemidji
2004: Dr. Lowell (Ted) Gillett, North Country Health Services, Bemidji
2003: Luther P. Nervig, Tri-County Hospital, Wadena
2002: Royce Sanner, Fairview Health Services, Minneapolis
2001: Gary Evans, Winona Health
2000: Norma Schleppegrell, Fairview-University Medical Center, Hibbing; Runner-up: Al Kremers, St. Cloud Hospital
1999: Kenneth Althoff, Cannon Falls Community Hospital
1998: George Winn, Queen of Peace Hospital, New Prague; and Anne Jones, Fairview Red Wing Hospital, Red Wing
1997: Melvin Nefstead, Lakewood Health System, Staples
1996: Michael Fay, Fairview Health System, Minneapolis
1995: James Rundquist, Waseca Area Medical Center
1994: Warren Larson, North Country Health Services, Bemidji
1993: Clinton Schroeder, Fairview Health System, Minneapolis
1992: Worth Bruntjen, Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis
1991: Vern Hoium, Mercy/Unity Hospitals, Minneapolis
1990: Robert Becklin, Cambridge Medical Center