Overview

The MHA Policy and Advocacy Committee evaluates issues of interest and importance to MHA's members and makes proactive recommendations for strategic policy positions and the MHA legislative agenda to the board of directors. The committee also provides a forum for discussion and evaluation of non-MHA legislative proposals.

Committee members for 2012 include:

• Chair: Carl Vaagenes, Chief Executive Officer, Douglas County Hospital, Alexandria
  
• Larry Anderson, Board Member, United District Hospital, Blue Earth
• David Borgert, Director, Community & Govt. Relations, CentraCare Health System, St. Cloud
  
• Rick Breuer, CEO & Administrator, Community Memorial Hospital, Cloquet
• Geraldine F. Burmeister, CEO & Administrator, Windom Area Hospital
• Sara J. Criger, Chief Executive Officer, St. Joseph's Hospital, St. Paul
• Jason Douglas, Chief Executive Officer, Mercy Hospital, Moose Lake
  
• Mary Edwards, Vice President, Public Policy, Fairview Health Services, Minneapolis
• Deb Fischer-Clemens, Public Policy Director, Avera, Sioux Falls, S.D.
• Curt Geissler, President, Lakeview Hospital, Stillwater
• Kerri Gordon, Public Policy & Gov't. Affairs Strategist, Allina Hospitals & Clinics, Minneapolis
  
• Paul Hanson, President & CEO, Sanford Bemidji Medical Center
  
• Shawntera M. Hardy, Manager, Government Relations, HealthPartners, Minneapolis
• Michael P. Harristhal, V.P., Public Policy & Strategy, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis
• Mark Henke, President & CEO, Northfield Hospital
• Jo Ann Hoag, Vice President, Network Development, St. Luke's Hospital, Duluth
• Susan K. Klassen, Chief Executive Officer, Mahnomen Health Center
• Frank Lawatsch, Chief Executive Officer, Swift County-Benson Hospital
• Mary B. Maertens, Regional President, Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center
• Michael J. Mahoney, Vice President, Public Policy, Essentia Health, Duluth
• Ross Matlock, President & CEO, RiverView Health, Crookston
  
• Buck McAlpin, Director of Government Affairs, North Memorial Medical Center, Robbinsdale
• Nathan Peterson, Director of Legislative Affairs, Sanford Health, Sioux Falls, S.D.
  
• Eric Sexton, Director, State Government Relations, Mayo Clinic, Rochester
• Mark A. Skubic, Vice President, Government Relations, Park Nicollet Health Services, Minneapolis
• Doug Stasek, Vice President, Ridgeview Foundation, Waconia
• Pennie Viggiano, System Director, Government Populations, HealthEast Care System, St. Paul
• Jani M. Wiebolt, President & CEO, Essentia Health St. Joseph's Medical Center, Brainerd
• Lori L. Wightman, President, Unity Hospital, Fridley
• Scott Wordelman, President & CEO, Fairview Red Wing Medical Center
• Anna Youngerman, Director, Child Health Policy & Advocacy, Children's Hospitals & Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis/St. Paul
  
• Guests: Tara Mulloy, Coordinator, State Government Relations, Park Nicollet Health Services, Minneapolis; Donna J. Zimmerman, Vice President/Gov't. & Community Relations, HealthPartners, Minneapolis
  
• Staff: Mary Krinkie, Vice President, Government Relations; and Kristin Loncorich, Director, Government Relations, Minnesota Hospital Association, St. Paul