U of M, Communities Collaborate to Promote Rural Health

NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release

Contact: Sara E. Buss, Academic Health Center, 612-624-2449
              Mary Downs, Rice Memorial Hospital, 320-231-8923

U OF M, COMMUNITIES COLLABORATE TO
PROMOTE RURAL HEALTH CARE ACCESS

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (Dec. 22, 2004) -- The Southern Minnesota Area Health Education Center (AHEC) was officially designated as a nonprofit corporation after filing articles of incorporation with the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2004.

The Southern Minnesota AHEC, a partnership between the University of Minnesota and 26 counties in southwest and south-central Minnesota, promotes rural health educational opportunities and addresses health professions workforce challenges unique to the region.  The organization is managed by a community-based board of directors composed of community leaders, health care practitioners, educators, economic development specialists, and others committed to rural health care.  The Southern Minnesota AHEC is part of Minnesota AHEC’s growing statewide network.

Kathleen Huntley, M.S., serves as executive director of the Southern Minnesota AHEC, based at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar. “The board’s initial focus will be on the strategic planning process to develop our own mission, goals, and vision to improve the health of our region,” Huntley said.

The Southern Minnesota AHEC is the second to be established in Minnesota as part of a federal/state cooperative agreement funded through the federal Health Resources and Services Administration that strives to address health professions workforce shortages through educational partnerships. Like the Northeast Minnesota AHEC, the newly incorporated Southern Minnesota AHEC will serve as a liaison between communities in the region and the University of Minnesota to address health professions workforce concerns. 

Board members for the Southern Minnesota AHEC include: David B. Bruzek, D.D.S. (Watonwan), George Gerlach (Yellow Medicine), Scott Marquardt (Chippewa), John McCabe, M.D. (Waseca), Kathryn Nelson-Hund, M.D. (Kandiyohi), Kathleen Sheran, B.S.N., M.S. (Blue Earth), Genie Simon, R.N., P.H.N.,  (Redwood), Tobias Spanier (Lyon), Harley Will, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, Stephen Hoag, R.Ph., Ph.D., University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, and Jeny Stumpf Kertz, M.P.P. University of Minnesota Academic Health Center.

The Academic Health Center is home to the University of Minnesota’s six health professional schools and colleges as well as several health-related centers and institutes including the Area Health Education Center. Founded in 1851, the University is one of the oldest and largest land grant institutions in the country. The AHC prepares the new health professionals who improve the health of communities, discover and deliver new treatments and cures, and strengthen the health economy.

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