State Community Health Services Advisory Committee
Minnesota Department of Health
Health Partnerships Division
Public Health Practice Section
PO Box 64975
Saint Paul, MN 55164-0975
651-201-3880 | www.health.state.mn.us/schsac
SCHSAC 2014 Annual Report
State Community Health Services Advisory Committee
March 20, 2015
Contents
Overview of 2014 SCHSAC Work.................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Issues of Special Interest .................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
2014 SCHSAC Work Plan at a Glance ........................................................................................................................................................... 3
SCHSAC Strategic Planning Team .................................................................................................................................................................. 6
Local Public Health Act Workgroup .............................................................................................................................................................. 7
Performance Improvement Steering Committee ..................................................................................................................................... 8
Public Health Emergency Preparedness Oversight Group ................................................................................................................... 9
Public Health Update Video Conference ...................................................................................................................................................10
Orientation to MDH for Local Public Health Leaders ...........................................................................................................................11
SCHSAC Executive Committee ......................................................................................................................................................................11
Community Health Conference Planning Workgroup .........................................................................................................................13
Nominating and Awards Workgroup .........................................................................................................................................................15
2014 SCHSAC Members by Region .............................................................................................................................................................17
Printed on recycled paper. If you require this document in another format, such as large print, Braille or cassette
tape, call 651-201-3880 or email [email protected].
Introduction
In 2014, SCHSAC workgroups, and standing committees
engaged local public health leaders, local elected officials,
state department leadership and staff, and community
partners. SCHSAC members, alternates, and representatives
from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) updated
the SCHSAC Strategic Plan in early 2014.
Highlights of SCHSAC’s work in 2014 include the
Legislature’s revision of the Local Public Health Act based on
recommendations developed by the Local Public Health Act
Workgroup. The Public Health Emergency Preparedness
(PHEP) Oversight Group continued to revise the PHEP
funding formula with a new formula approved by SCHSAC in
September. The Performance Improvement Steering
Committee (PISC) completed a full performance
management cycle by revising, collecting, monitoring and
sharing new performance measures. The PISC then
proposed three opportunities for improvement for local
public health to address with MDH’s support during 2015.
The three standing committees conducted SCHSAC business
related to executive leadership, the annual Community
Health Conference, and nominations and awards.
Governor Mark Dayton (L) and Commissioner
Ed Ehlinger discuss what it takes to build a
healthy Minnesota, at the 2014 Community
Health Conference in Brainerd, MN.
Throughout 2014, SCHSAC members discussed aspects of
the state-local partnership and public health issues with the
Commissioner of Health and his staff at quarterly meetings
and conference calls. Topics included local and state roles in
health reform, the State Innovation Model (SIM) Grant; the
infrastructure of the state-local public health partnership,
health in all policies, and advancing health equity. In
addition, MDH provided an orientation for administrators
and directors of local health departments, as well as a
statewide video conference on public health for community
health board members and local elected officials.
SCHSAC continued to have representatives on the State
Preventive Health Advisory Committee, the Food Safety
Partnership of Minnesota, the Minnesota Public Health
Research to Action Network, the Maternal and Child Health
Advisory Task Force, and the Healthy Minnesota Partnership.
SCHSAC also has representation on the newly created
Environmental Health Continuous Improvement Board.
SCHSAC 2014 Annual Report
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Larry Yazzie (L) and Selena Jourdain of the Native
Pride Dancers demonstrate the power of music as
medicine and culture as healing, at the 2014
Community Health Conference in Brainerd, MN.
www.health.state.mn.us/schsac
Introduction
The 2014 SCHSAC Work Plan is summarized on the table that follows. Topics include emergency preparedness,
performance improvement, the local public health system, issues of special interest, and standing committees.
SCHSAC 2014-2018 Strategic Plan
More information: pp. 5-6
SCHSAC will review and update its 2008-2013 strategic plan. The
strategic plan will direct SCHSAC’s work for the next five years and
will answer the questions:
What do we want our public health system to look like? What do we
want to accomplish through SCHSAC over the next five years?
Activities: Volunteers will participate in two full-day, facilitated,
planning sessions in early 2014.
These issues allow SCHSAC to be informed about current public health issues and discuss opportunities for
local action via presentations, guest speakers at SCHSAC meetings, videoconferences, and conference calls.
Advancing Health Equity in
Minnesota
SCHSAC will be engaged in discussion on issues related to
advancing health equity in Minnesota
Environmental Health Continuous
Improvement Board
SCHSAC will send a representative to a new environmental health
partnership effort, which will initially focus on issues related to food,
pools and lodging in the state-local public health system
Health Reform
SCHSAC will continue to discuss the potential impacts of health
reform on Minnesota’s public health system, and will be encouraged
to provide input on various aspects of health reform that are most
relevant to local government/public health
Mental Health
SCHSAC will continue to discuss the role of public health in
promotion of good mental health and prevention of mental health
issues
SCHSAC Representatives
Members and alternates will have opportunities to represent
SCHSAC on other public health advisory committees, such as the
Healthy Minnesota Partnership and the Research to Action Network
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Introduction
Local Public Health Act Workgroup
More information: pp. 6-7
Performance Improvement Steering
Committee
More information: pp. 7-8
In September 2013, SCHSAC approved recommendations to update
the Local Public Health Act. The revised statute language simplifies
and clarifies public health responsibilities, eliminates unnecessary
and obsolete language and aligns the statute with current public
health practices. The workgroup will be consulted as needed
throughout the legislative session, and will provide updates to the
full SCHSAC. The workgroup—with additional representation from
key stakeholder groups—will be reconvened in summer/fall of 2014
to revisit strengthening the CHS administrator qualifications.
Throughout 2014 this steering committee will continue to provide
ongoing oversight of: implementation of a performance
management system; implementation of related recommendations
from the SCHSAC Performance Improvement and Accreditation
Workgroup; and will facilitate gathering of local input, as needed.
Activities: The steering committee continues to meet throughout
2014.
Public Health Emergency
Preparedness Oversight Group
More information: pp. 8-9
Throughout 2014 this SCHSAC workgroup will continue to provide
an ongoing review of public health emergency preparedness
programs and issues; assure that the policy recommendations made
by SCHSAC in 2011 can be implemented to provide ongoing
guidance; oversee the continued development of capacity
assessment and related measurement outcomes; and oversee
strategic planning for public health emergency preparedness in
Minnesota.
Activities: The oversight committee continues to meet throughout
2014.
Executive Committee
More information: pp. 10-11
The executive committee will conduct any interim business of
SCHSAC; develop recommendations for decisions by SCHSAC; and
work on activities to strengthen the state-local partnership and the
role of the executive committee.
Activities: Regular meetings and conference calls as needed.
Community Health Conference
Planning Workgroup
More information: pp. 11-13
The workgroup is responsible for selecting a theme, topic, format,
general session speakers, and concurrent session presenters for the
2014 Community Health Conference, and will assist MDH staff in
hosting the conference.
Activities: Two to three meetings per year.
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Introduction
Nominating and Awards Workgroup
More information: p. 13
The workgroup will solicit and select candidates for the annual
Community Health Awards and will supervise the nomination and
election process for SCHSAC Chair-Elect at the December meeting.
Activities: One to two conference calls per year.
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Committees and Workgroups
Original charge approved December 6, 2013 by the Executive Committee.
The SCHSAC Strategic Planning Team will:
 Develop a Strategic Plan with a shared vision for the Minnesota Public Health System. The Strategic Plan
will direct SCHSAC’s work for the next five years
 Recommend activities that the MDH, community health boards (CHBs), and SCHSAC should undertake to
implement the plan
In early 2014, a SCHSAC workgroup was convened to once again answer the questions: What do you want to
accomplish in the next three to five years?” and, “What do you want the system/organization to look like in the
next three to five years?” These questions were discussed by the SCHSAC Executive Committee, and by the
workgroup, which came together for two full-day, professionally facilitated meetings (March 28 and April 14).
The facilitators guided the workgroup members through a series of activities and discussions designed to help the
group take stock of accomplishments to-date, identify emerging trends impacting the field, and select strategic
priorities for the work of SCHSAC for the next five years.
Brainstorming sessions and discussions were robust. Participants shared their reflections and experiences, asked
questions, and sought to maintain a broad, strategic perspective. The workgroup followed the state-local
partnership’s own “Three Simple Rules” which ask members to 1) Seek first to understand, 2) Make expectations
Explicit, and 3) Think about the part and the whole. Participants reflected that public health issues are complex,
and authorities and expertise do not always reside within the scope of governmental public health practice. The
importance of working with non-governmental public health partners was expressed many times and deemed
vital to success.
The full SCHSAC also provided input for the new strategic plan. The final SCHSAC Strategic Plan 2014-2018 was
approved by SCHSAC on September 17, 2014, with a practical vision and five overarching strategic priorities.
Practical Vision
SCHSAC and MDH sustain the vital mission of public health by leveraging partnerships and championing public
policies to improve practice, strengthen leadership, and increase workforce capacity. These efforts are to be
undertaken while engaging partners and the public in creating opportunities to make the healthy choice the easy
choice in all Minnesota communities.
Overarching Strategic Priorities
Tell Minnesota’s Public Health Stories; Ensure Adequate Resources for Public Health; Use Data and Technology to Our
Advantage; Support Strong, Mission-Driven Leadership; and Engage Local Elected Officials to Support Public Health.
The SCHSAC Strategic Plan for 2014-2018 will guide SCHSAC’s work plans over the next five years. The SCHSAC
Executive Committee will review progress toward the practical vision and overarching strategic priorities.
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Committees and Workgroups
* County Commissioners
Deb Burns (Office of Performance Improvement)
Maggie Diebel (Community and Family Health)
Kris Ehresmann (Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Prevention and Control)
Jim Koppel (Deputy Commissioner)
Karen Ahmann * (Polk-Norman-Mahnomen)
Terri Allen (Carlton-Cook-Lake-St. Louis)
Merrilee Brown (Scott)
Bonnie Brueshoff (Dakota)
Carol Biren (Southwest Health and Human Services)
Renee Frauendienst (Stearns)
Pete Giesen (Olmsted)
Bill Groskreutz * (Faribault-Martin)
Lowell Johnson (Washington County)
Larry Kittelson * (Horizon)
Susan Morris * (Isanti-Mille Lacs)
Bonnie Paulsen (Morrison-Todd-Wadena)
Amy Roggenbuck (Le Sueur-Waseca)
Deb Schuhmacher (Chisago)
Marcia Ward * (Winona)
Sue Yost (Freeborn)
Becky Buhler (Office of Performance Improvement)
Allison Thrash (Office of Performance Improvement)
Originally convened in 2012, an updated charge was approved on September 17, 2014.
The SCHSAC Local Public Health Act Workgroup will continue to:
 Work with MDH to address legislative priorities that strengthen the capacity of the local public health
system.
 Provide input and advice on OPI activities to strengthen local public health leadership.
The Local Public Health Act Workgroup was reconvened for a meeting in August 2014 to summarize past
accomplishments, discuss upcoming tasks, and create an outline for a new workgroup charge. The group
identified two subgroups to continue its work: a leadership team subgroup, and a capacity development
subgroup. The leadership team has provided input on an agenda for a leadership development event that will be
held June 8, 2015, and the capacity team provided information to be incorporated into legislative ideas to
strengthen the local public health system. New members have been recruited to replace members that rotated off
of the original workgroup. The full group will continue to meet as needed, while the subgroups focus on their
respective assignments in 2015.
 Recommended changes to the Local Public Health Act were passed during the 2014 Legislative Session
(Spring 2014)
 Recruited new members to assure statewide representation (Summer/Fall 2014)
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Committees and Workgroups
 Developed an updated charge (Summer 2014)
 Convened subgroups and delegated workgroup tasks (Fall 2014)
The leadership subgroup will continue helping MDH staff shape an agenda for the 2015 leadership summit and
will begin providing input into longer-term activities to strengthen local public health leadership. The capacity
subgroup and the full workgroup will be convened as needed during the legislative session, and MDH staff will
provide updates to the workgroup via email and phone as appropriate.
Rina McManus (St. Paul-Ramsey)
Louise Anderson (Carlton-Cook-Lake-St. Louis)
Vacant (Local Public Health Association)
Marcia Ward * (Winona)
* County Commissioners
Pete Giesen, Co-chair (Olmsted)
Susan Morris, Co-chair * (Isanti-Mille Lacs)
Karen Ahmann* (Polk-Norman-Mahnomen)
Liz Auch (Countryside)
Ann Bajari (Minnesota Public Health Association)
Judy Barton (Wabasha)
Bonnie Brueshoff (Dakota)
Allie Freidrichs (Meeker-McLeod-Sibley)
Renee Frauendienst (Stearns)
William Groskreutz * (Faribault-Martin)
Mary Hildebrandt (Brown-Nicollet)
Kathy McKay (Partnership4Health)
Deb Burns (Office of Performance Improvement)
LuAnne McNichols (Office of Perf. Improvement)
Janelle Schroeder (Office of Perf. Improvement)
Melissa Finnegan (Office of Legislative Relations)
Julie Myhre (Statewide Health Improvement Initiatives)
Phyllis Brashler (Office of Performance Improvement)
Becky Sechrist (Office of Performance Improvement)
Approved February 18, 2011 by the Executive Committee.
This steering committee will guide implementation of the roadmap developed by the SCHSAC Performance
Improvement and Accreditation Workgroup and inform the development of a statewide performance
management system to improve the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of the public health system. Issues which
the steering committee will address include:
1.
2.
3.
Alignment of the local public health performance management system (e.g., CHAAP, PPMRS,
Accountability Review) with national public health standards and measures
Implementation of Minnesota’s Public Health Improvement Initiative activities to build performance
management infrastructure and capacity in Minnesota
Identification of performance improvement opportunities and strategies to address them
The work of 2014 culminated in the completion of the full performance management cycle. The Committee
continues to address four basic questions on behalf of Minnesota’s governmental public health system:
 Where do we want to be? Align measures with system-level standards, benchmarks or targets.
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Committees and Workgroups
 How will we know? Develop or modify performance measures.
 How well are we doing? Monitor data and communicate progress toward system objectives.
 How will we improve? Selects top opportunities for improvement based on measurement data and
stakeholder input.
Specific activities accomplished during 2014 include:
 Reviewed system level findings for the Local Public Health Act Measures from the 2014 PPMRS (Planning
and Performance Management Reporting System) reporting period.
 Communicated results via Measures Matter: Using Performance Measures to Understand and Improve Local
Public Health Capacity and Services.
 Recommended top opportunities for system improvement (From Information to Action: Using Data to
Improve the Public Health System).
 Consulted with MDH on how to mobilize resources to address top improvement opportunities.
 Met with MDH subject matter experts to improve performance measures for 2015 reporting.
The Committee will continue to meet in 2015 and will direct attention toward:

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Reviewing data from LPH Act reporting.
Communicating key findings about system performance and top opportunities for improvement.
Reporting the status of the 2014 top areas for improvement.
Revisiting and updating measures.
Allie Freidrichs, Chair (Meeker-McLeod-Sibley)
Liz Auch (Countryside)
Dawn Beck (Olmsted)
Carol Biren (SWHHS)
Bonnie Brueshoff (Dakota)
Dave Brummel (Hennepin)
Sue Hedland (Washington)
Renee Frauendienst (Stearns)
Sandy Tubbs (Horizon)
Linda Bauck-Todd (Office of Perf. Improvement)
Deb Burns (Office of Performance Improvement)
Barb Dalbec (Community and Family Health)
Mickey Scullard (Office of Emergency Preparedness)
Kim Gearin (Office of Performance Improvement)
Chelsie Huntley (Office of Perf. Improvement)
Becky Sechrist (Office of Performance Improvement)
Approved May 20, 2011 by the Executive Committee.
The SCHSAC Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Oversight Workgroup will:
 Building on the program evaluation and policy development achievements of the 2010-2011 SCHSAC
Public Health Emergency Preparedness Work Group, the SCHSAC Public Health Emergency Preparedness
Oversight Work Group will become a standing committee under the auspices of SCHSAC to:
 Provide ongoing review of public health emergency preparedness programs and issues;
 Assure that the policy recommendations from the 2010-2011 PHEP Work Group can be implemented to
provide ongoing guidance to the state-tribal-local preparedness partnership;
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Committees and Workgroups
 Oversee the continued development of capacity assessment and related measurement outcomes to
provide definition of capacity and achievement in Minnesota’s public health emergency preparedness
programs; and
 Oversee strategic planning for the next five years (2011 through 2016) of public health emergency
preparedness in Minnesota.
The SCHSAC PHEP Oversight Group became a standing SCHSAC Committee in 2011 to foster ongoing dialogue
around public health emergency preparedness and to strengthen relationships between CHBs and MDH. This
workgroup prioritized issues identified in the previous workgroup’s report and addresses emergent issues as they
are identified.
In 2014, the workgroup focused on one major project and provided advice and feedback as requested. The major
project continued to be an examination of the funding formula and revisions to the components used to calculate
award amounts for CHBs. A recommendation and proposal were brought to the March SCHSAC meeting and were
not approved, but SCHSAC asked the PHEP Oversight Group to continue working on the formula and bring back a
revised proposal to a future meeting. In September, the revised proposal was introduced and passed. The
workgroup also provided feedback on Budget Period 3 (July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015) CHB grant duties, which
were tiered based on funding amounts.
This workgroup will continue in 2015. SCHSAC recommended that the workgroup review the state/local split of
preparedness funds and report back.
Mike Matanich (Stearns County)
Karen Swenson (Brown-Nicollet)
Gloria Tobias (Countryside)
Grant Weyland * (Clay-Wilkin)
* County Commissioners
Pete Giesen, Co-Chair (Olmsted)
Susan Morris, Co-Chair * (Isanti-Mille Lacs)
Sharon Braaten (Horizon)
Pam Blixt (Minneapolis)
Robert Einweck (St. Paul-Ramsey)
Jim Gangl (Carlton-Cook-Lake-St. Louis)
Bill Groskreutz * (Faribault-Martin)
Cindy Borgen (Office of Emergency Preparedness)
Jane Braun (Office of Emergency Preparedness)
Becky Buhler (Office of Performance Improvement)
Cheryl Petersen-Kroeber (Office of Emergency Prep)
Mickey Scullard (Office of Emergency Preparedness)
Megan Thompson (Office of Emergency Preparedness)
Because elected local officials have a broad range of responsibilities, they must learn about many topics in order
to be able to make informed decisions. Public health may be a new topic area for some local elected officials.
SCHSAC 2014 Annual Report
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Committees and Workgroups
On April 22, 2014 MDH held a video conference as a public health update for statewide local elected officials
regarding Health in All Policies. The video conference was broadcast to 21 sites throughout Minnesota. Among
the participants were 36 local elected officials, 50 staff from local health departments, and 15 other interested
parties. The update was hosted by the State Community Health Services Advisory Committee (SCHSAC) and the
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Office of Performance Improvement.
The interactive video conference featured Commissioner of Health, Edward Ehlinger, discussing the health in all
policies approach and what that means for local decision-makers. Also speaking was Debra Burns, Director, MDH
Office of Performance Improvement, and 2014 SCHSAC Chair, Pope County Commissioner Larry Kittelson.
Participants had an opportunity for Q & A from all sites.
Top public health leader positions throughout the state have experienced changeover, and this will continue in
the coming years. Local and state agencies identified a need for new public health leaders to receive orientation to
the Minnesota Department of Health. In May 2014, MDH delivered an orientation to the new CHS Administrators,
Public Health Directors, and other top public health officials. The purpose was to introduce them to MDH as an
organization, and to help them put faces to names of MDH leadership and staff.
An orientation to MDH was held for 26 local public health leaders on May 15-16, 2014.
Orientation activities for 2014 included:

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MDH Public Health Lab tour
Minnesota public health system review
Panel discussions with MDH division and office directors closely connected to local activities participation
MDH executive team members meet and greet
MDH technical assistance meet and greet
Colleagues networking, and
Attending a State Community Health Services Advisory Committee (SCHSAC) meeting
The orientation continues to be well received by the local leaders and by the MDH staff participating.
 Develop the annual work plan for SCHSAC
 Conduct interim business of SCHSAC and develop recommendations for decisions by SCHSAC
 Provide input to the Commissioner of Health upon request
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Committees and Workgroups
The major work of the SCHSAC Executive Committee included: approving workgroup charges, supporting ongoing
committees, and developing the 2014 work plan. The Executive Committee also discussed the legislative session, the
local public health system infrastructure, health reform, advancing health equity, and other public health issues.
SCHSAC 2014 Annual Report
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Committees and Workgroups
* Elected Officials
Chair: Larry Kittelson * (Horizon)
Chair-Elect: Karen Ahmann * (Polk-Norman-Mahnomen)
Past Chair: Bill Groskreutz * (Faribault-Martin)
Northeast Region
Metro Region
Laurie Westerlund * (Aitkin-Itasca-Koochiching)
Alt: Loren Bergstedt (Carlton-Cook-Lake-St. Louis)
Nancy Schouweiler * (Dakota)
Alt: Linda Higgins * (Hennepin)
Northwest Region
Southeast Region
Helene Kahlstorf (North Country)
Alt: Karen Ahmann * (Polk-Norman-Mahnomen)
Marcia Ward * (Winona)
Alt: Pete Giesen (Olmsted)
West Central Region
South Central Region
Doug Huebsch * (Otter Tail)
Alt: Larry Kittelson * (Horizon)
Bill Groskreutz * (Faribault-Martin)
Alt: Jim Berg * (Brown-Nicollet)
Central Region
Southwest Region
Deb Schuhmacher (Chisago)
Alt: Wendy Thompson (Kanabec-Pine)
Rosemary Schultz * (Des Moines Valley)
Alt: LaMont Jacobson * (Kandiyohi-Renville)
Becky Buhler (Office of Performance Improvement)
The State Community Health Services Advisory Committee (SCHSAC)
Community Health Conference Planning Workgroup was charged to
select the format, theme, objectives, and speakers for the 2014
Community Health Conference and to assist Minnesota Department
of Health (MDH) staff in hosting the conference.
The 2014 Community Health Conference Planning Workgroup worked with MDH staff to organize the format,
program, and speakers for the 2014 Community Health Conference Public Health on the Horizon. The conference
was held on September 17-19, 2014 at the Cragun’s Conference Center near Brainerd.
Four hundred fifteen statewide attended the conference. Attendees included: local elected officials; local public
health administrators, directors and staff; SCHSAC members and alternates; Tribal leadership and staff;
community-based organization leadership and staff; Community Health Board and advisory committee members;
health plan staff; MDH management and staff; college nursing students; and other public health professionals.
Eighty-five were “first time” attendees.
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Committees and Workgroups
During the conference participants had the opportunity to:




Link emerging national and state public health issues to public health at the community level;
Discover creative ways colleagues are approaching public health practice;
Increase skills to engage diverse communities in meaningful public health partnerships;
Improve knowledge of ways to crate health and advance health equity for all people in Minnesota
The conference featured four general sessions:

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Building a Healthy Minnesota – Mark Dayton, Governor, and Ed Ehlinger, Commissioner of Health
Native Pride Dancers – Larry Yazzie and the Native Pride Dancers
Institute for Alternative Futures – Clem Bezold
Conference Closing – Commissioner Ehlinger
In addition, 28 concurrent sessions featuring 79 presenters were offered on the following theme areas:
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Promoting Primary Prevention
Managing a Healthy Environment
Providing Opportunity to Be Healthy
Creating Healthy Futures for Tribal Nations
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Improving Outcomes with Performance Mgmt.
Protecting Minnesotans
Creating Change
Scanning the Public Health Horizon
The concurrent sessions were heavily attended with several reaching full capacity. Participants appreciated the
variety and quality of the presentations and benefitted by learning from colleagues and partners.
Highlights during the conference included the yearly community health awards ceremony and reception, public
health resources and displays, after dinner conversations with the Commissioner of Health and the MDH Executive
Team, and movie night. Conference participants continue to see value in this annual conference; feedback can be
found at right.
2014 Conference attendee feedback:
* County Commissioners
“I enjoyed the conference, learned useful
information and gained important
perspectives especially about diversity.”
ǂ MDH Staff
Karen Ahmann, Chair * (Polk-Norman-Mahnomen)
Louise Anderson (Carlton-Cook-Lake-St. Louis)
Mary Jo Banken ǂ (Community and Family Health)
Ken Bence (MN Council of Health Plans; Medica)
Xiaoying Chen ǂ (Center for Health Equity)
Jackie Dionne ǂ (American Indian Health Director)
Theresa Evans Ross (EHDI Grantee, Annex Teen Clinic)
Bill Groskreutz * (Faribault-Martin)
Terri Janssen (Nobles)
Rose Jost (Richfield)
Helene Kahlstorf (North Country)
Amy Kenzie ǂ (Health Promotion/Chronic Disease)
Ann Kinney ǂ (Center for Health Equity)
Larry Kittelson * (Horizon)
Michelle Larson ǂ (Office of Medical Cannabis)
Bonnie Paulsen (Bloomington)
Swanson (Brown-Nicollet)
SCHSAC 2014 Annual Report
“It is invaluable to meet other leaders in public
health across the state.”
“The breakout sessions were very helpful and
gave us great ideas to bring back with us.”
“Love the opportunity to network and the
sessions were awesome this year.”
“Great information and great opportunity for
networking.”
“Great opportunity for anyone in public
health.”
“Excellent content.”
Karen
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“Great conference, one of the best, and I’ve
been to many!”
www.health.state.mn.us/schsac
Committees and Workgroups
Deb Purfeerst (Rice)
Deb Radi ǂ (Office of Emergency Preparedness)
Allison Thrash ǂ (Office of Performance Improvement)
Isaac Triebold ǂ (Infectious Disease Epidemiology)
Liz Arita (Office of Performance Improvement)
Becky Buhler (Office of Performance Improvement)
Peggy Malinowski (Office of Performance Improvement)
 Review the awards process and recommend modifications to the Executive Committee to fulfill the intent of
the awards.
 Solicit for nominations and select awardees for the community health awards and certificates of
recognition to be presented at the annual Community Health Conference.
 Prepare a ballot for the election of the SCHSAC Chair-Elect in December.
The Nominating and Awards Workgroup met via conference call in August to review the nominating process and
to select the recipients for the 2014 Community Health Service (CHS) Awards.
The following individuals and group were selected and received a 2014 Community Health Award during the
Community Health Conference on September 17, 2014 at the Cragun’s Conference Center, Brainerd.
 Award for Outstanding Dedication to Local Public Health:
Nancy Schouweiler, Dakota County Commissioner
 Commissioner’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Health Service:
Ann Stehn, Kandiyohi County Health and Human Services
 Jack Korlath Partnership Award: Pete Giesen, Olmsted Public Health
 Jim Parker Leadership Award: Diane Thorson, Otter Tail Public Health
 Lou Fuller Award for Distinguished Service in Eliminating Health Disparities: Vacharee Peterson, DDS
 Certificates of Recognition: David Stroud, Retired, MDH Center for Health Statistics; Wendy Kvale, MDH
Office of Performance Improvement; Smoke Free Collaborative, Minneapolis
In addition to the CHS Awards, the Nominating and Awards Workgroup prepared a slate of nominees and
supervised the election of the new SCHSAC Chair-Elect during the December 2014 SCHSAC meeting.
* Elected Official
Lowell Johnson, Chair (Washington)
Bonnie Brueshoff (Dakota)
Renee Frauendienst (Stearns)
Helene Kahlstorf (North Country)
SCHSAC 2014 Annual Report
Larry Kittelson * (Horizon)
Sia Her, Office of Minority and Multicultural Advisory
Committee Member
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Committees and Workgroups
Becky Buhler (Office of Performance Improvement)
Peggy Malinowski (Office of Performance Improvement)
SCHSAC 2014 Annual Report
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www.health.state.mn.us/schsac
Regions and Membership
Northeast Region
Southeast Region
Loren Bergstedt (Carlton-Cook-Lake-St. Louis)
Betsy Johnson (Aitkin-Itasca-Koochiching)
Judy Barton (Wabasha)
Peggy Espey (Dodge-Steele)
Sheila Kiscaden * (Olmsted)
Lisa Kocer (Mower)
Glen Mathiason * (Freeborn)
Debra Purfeerst (Rice)
Ted Seifert * (Goodhue)
Marcia Ward * (Winona)
Justin Zmyewski * (Fillmore-Houston)
Northwest Region
Karen Ahmann * (Polk-Norman-Mahnomen)
Helene Kahlstorf (North Country)
Don Skarie * (Becker)
Betty Younggren * (Quin County)
West Central Region
Neal Folstad * (Clay-Wilkin)
Douglas Huebsch * (Otter Tail)
Larry Kittelson * (Horizon)
Central Region
Christine Husom * (Wright)
Susan Morris * (Isanti-Mille Lacs)
Steve Notch * (Stearns)
Rachel Nystrom * (Crow Wing)
Warren Peschl * (Benton)
Ewald Petersen * (Sherburne)
Ruthie Koelsch (Chisago)
Bill Stearns * (Morrison-Todd-Wadena)
Wendy Thompson (Kanabec-Pine)
Reno Wells (Cass)
Metro Region
Cynthia Bemis Abrams * (Bloomington)
Alison Pence (Edina)
Cam Gordon * (Minneapolis)
Marion Greene * (Hennepin)
Lowell Johnson (Washington)
Rose Jost (Richfield)
Carol LeDoux * (Anoka)
Barbara Marschall * (Scott)
Janice Rettman * (St. Paul-Ramsey)
Nancy Schouweiler * (Dakota)
Marcee Shaughnessy (Carver)
South Central Region
Jim Berg * (Brown-Nicollet)
Alethea Freidrichs (Meeker-McLeod-Sibley)
William Groskreutz * (Faribault-Martin)
Mark Piepho * (Blue Earth)
Amy Roggenbuck (Le Sueur-Waseca)
Kathleen Svalland * (Watonwan)
Southwest Region
Carol Biren (SWHHS)
Dave Lieser * (Countryside)
Harlan Madsen * (Kandiyohi-Renville)
Rosemary Schultz * (Des Moines Valley)
Matthew Widboom * (Nobles)
* Elected Official
SCHSAC 2014 Annual Report
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www.health.state.mn.us/schsac
Regions and Membership
SCHSAC 2014 Annual Report
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www.health.state.mn.us/schsac