Local Leaders Recognized by Minnesota Hospital Association
American Hospital Association President and Chief Executive Officer Richard Umbdenstock, recognized 13 Minnesota hospital trustees who received certification from the Minnesota Hospital Association at the MHA Trustee Winter Leadership Conference in early January in Minneapolis.
Included in those recognized were Perham Health Board of Trustees Jerry Kunza and Terry Marthaler. Kunza serves on the board representing the City of Perham. He currently serves as the board treasurer. Marthaler represents Edna Township.
By participating in MHA’s voluntary certification program, hospital trustees receive training on current healthcare trends, management best practices, ethics, government regulations, patient safety, and quality. Participants undergo 35 hours of course work, making Minnesota’s initiative the most comprehensive in the nation.
“In Minnesota, more and more hospital trustees are formally preparing themselves for grappling with the often complicated issues that confront hospitals and health systems today,” MHA President and CEO Lawrence Massa said. “Our trustee certification program proactively ensures that hospital leaders are well prepared to make good decisions.”
“With so many changes in healthcare policy and practice – especially under federal and state healthcare reform – hospital trustees want this kind of support to be strong leaders in their organizations,” he added. “And earning this certification demonstrates a trustee’s commitment to the patients and communities the hospital serves.”
The high participation in the initiative among Minnesota hospital trustees – 35 have earned certification since 2008 – calls for extra commendation, Umbdenstock said at the ceremony.
“Minnesota’s trustee certification program is unlike anything that I’m aware of elsewhere,” he said. “You’ve got such a high percentage of people putting in that extra effort, it deserves extra special thanks.”
The Perham Health Board of Trustees comprises elected officials from the cities of Perham, Dent, and Richville, 10 area townships – Edna, Dora, Star Lake, Corliss, Perham, Pine Lake, Rush Lake, Ottertail, Dead Lake, and Gorman – and an at-large position.
