Honorees include hospital staff, trustees, volunteers, and state lawmakers.
Sept. 22, 2025, Saint Paul, Minn. — Forty teams and individuals from across the state were recognized by the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) last week for their work to strengthen health care in Minnesota. Presented during MHA’s Annual Meeting, these awards honor efforts that advance sustainability, quality and safety, and innovation in the state’s hospital and health systems. MHA also recognized hospital volunteers, trustees, and state lawmakers for their dedication to supporting the health of Minnesota communities.
“These awards highlight the dedication of Minnesota’s hospital and health system staff, trustees, and partners to improving the health of our communities,” MHA President and CEO Dr. Rahul Koranne said. “Their efforts are improving patient outcomes in communities across our region, supporting caregivers, and preparing our health system for challenges ahead.”
Award recipients include:
Innovation in Patient Care
- Nurse-led Visits, CentraCare
- Pediatric Mental Health Scrubs, Children’s Minnesota
- IV Fluid Supply Response, Cuyuna Regional Medical Center
- EMS and Emergency Departments, Lakewood Health System
- Lung Nodule Screening Program, North Memorial Health
Quality and Safety Improvement
- Enterprise Mortality Improvement Infrastructure, CentraCare
- Campus Security Door Team, Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital
- Riverwood Healthcare Center
- Surgical Smoke Evacuation Initiative, Sanford Bemidji Medical Center
Sustainability
- Allina Health
- Astera Health
- Lakewood Health System
- HealthPartners, Regions Hospital
Community Benefit
- Food Access Initiative, Allina Health
- Mental Health Education, Aspirus Lake View Hospital
- The Farm at St. Francis, CHI St. Francis Health
- Essentia Health-Deer River Hospital and Clinic
- Student Health Services Programming, Stevens Community Medical Center
Exceptional Minnesota Hospital Workplace
- Appleton Area Health
- Glacial Ridge Health System
- HealthPartners, Methodist Hospital
- Sanford Bemidji Medical Center
Excellence in Caregiving
- Muhiyadin Aden, Hennepin Healthcare
- Madeline Speltz, Winona Health
- Maria Harmandayan, Minnesota Department of Direct Care and Treatment
- Melissa Hasler, M Health Fairview
- Elizabeth Lessard, Rainy Lake Medical Center
Volunteer Excellence
- Anne Reynolds and Nike, Allina Health Mercy Hospital – Unity Campus
- Gene Schultz, M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital
Trustee Excellence
- Jason Howard, HealthPartners – Lakeview Hospital
- Devon Luthens, Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital
- Dick Peterson, Rainy Lake Medical Center
Enduring Legacy
- Sue Abderholdern, National Alliance on Mental Illness Minnesota
- Kathy Johnson, Johnson Memorial Health Services
Spirit of Advocacy
- Carrie Michalski, RiverView Health
- Mike Phelps, Ridgeview Medical Center
- Trevor Sawallish, North Memorial Health
- Rachelle Schultz, Winona Health
Public Servant of the Year
- Representative Robert Bierman
- Representative Danny Nadeau
For more information about Minnesota hospitals, visit www.mnhospitals.org. For interviews, contact Lou Ann Olson or Tim Nelson.