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LifeCare’s Board of Directors names Cory Vatnsdal as new board chairman
Retiring chair
Mike Hetteen
thanked for 19
years of service
Recent years
have brought many exciting changes to LifeCare Medical Center.
Most visible among them are a major expansion and renovation project, the addition of several new services, the replacement of retiring longtime administrators, and a renaming of the organization itself.
Today, another transition is underway, albeit much less noticeable except to those working behind the scenes.
On October 1, fellow board member Cory Vatnsdal succeeded Mike Hetteen as board chairman‹a position he had held since 1994. Hetteen joined the board in 1990.
“For an organization to stay healthy, you need to have changes in your leadership from time to time,” says Hetteen, who accepted the role of chairman 19 years ago in what he describes as an unexpected moment that left him feeling somewhat unprepared.
“I literally walked into our monthly meeting as a board member and left as the board chair. It was quite a change and a challenge,” says Hetteen.
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Incoming board chairman Cory Vatnsdal (center) shakes hands with his predecessor Mike Hetteen, who retired in October after 19 years with LifeCare’s Board of Directors. LifeCare President/CEO Keith Okeson (left) credits Hetteen for his dedicated leadership. |
During his tenure, Hetteen and the board charted a course to bring continued growth to LifeCare Medical Center. As chair, he was required to learn along the way, often relying on his experience in the corporate world.
“You can’t make decisions as an individual,” Hetteen says. “You need to look at what is best for the organization.”
And in Hetteen’s opinion now was the right time for a passing of the gavel to a new board chairman.
“The organization is running smoothly, Keith Okeson is well established as the organization’s CEO, and the LifeCare name change is complete, so it seems like the right time for Cory to step in.”
Vatnsdal, a first term board member and Roseau business owner, is only the fifth person to serve as chairman in the board’s 55 year history.
Past board chairmen include Charles Christianson; Norman Flagstad, Sr.; Allen Olson; and Hetteen.
“I know it will be a big challenge, but it’s something I’m really looking forward to,” says Vatnsdal, who was nominated unanimously by the board nearly a year ago.
Vatnsdal should find the transition to chairman less jarring than his predecessor, thanks to a recommendation Hetteen made when announcing his plan to retire from the board.
“I didn’t want the same set of circumstances for whoever took over,” says Hetteen, recalling the immense learning curve he encountered in his early days as chair.
To ease the transition for the incoming chairman, he proposed creating a one-year position of Board Chair-Elect.
As such, Vatnsdal received training and attended meetings to see first hand the additional responsibilities of the Board Chair and to become familiar with activities that take place between monthly board meetings.
“The board is responsible for governance and policy, not operations,” Vatnsdal says, “meaning the entire focus is broad and long term. As chairman, I look forward to helping set the framework for healthcare in the future.”
Audrey Olson and chairman Mike Hetteen retire from LifeCare’s Board of Directors
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Mike Hetteen
Audrey Olson |
Two members from LifeCare Medical Center’s Board of Directors are stepping down after a combined total of nearly 35 years of dedicated service.
Audrey Olson and board chairman Mike Hetteen met with HealthMatters prior to the board meeting in October to reflect on their time helping shape the future of healthcare in the Roseau Area.
When asked, both were quick to recall several fond memories of serving on the board.
“Highlights for me include changing our structure from a district board into a separate not-for-profit corporation, attracting and retaining a great medical staff, and focusing on keeping our facilities modern and up to date,” Mike says.
“I especially enjoyed following the process of building a new nursing home, assisted living facilities, and the new complex in Greenbush,” Audrey says. “But equally rewarding are the social events, family picnics, and holiday gatherings we’ve enjoyed over the years.”
The board consists of 13 volunteers from throughout Roseau County.
Audrey came to the Board by way of the Greenbush Hospital Board.
“That was a great learning experience to me,” she says thinking back. “I hadn’t been involved with healthcare before that. When the Greenbush Hospital closed, I had a chance to represent Greenbush on the Roseau Hospital Board.”
That was in 1995.
Mike joined the Roseau Area Hospital District board in 1990 and became Board Chair in 1994.
After the merger with the Greenbush Hospital Association, he was appointed board chairman for Roseau Area Hospitals and Homes, now LifeCare Medical Center.
Significant Changes
Of all the changes in healthcare experienced during their time on the board, both say technology has been the most significant.
“That involves a lot of areas,” she says, “from the improvement of tests performed on patients to the addition of telemedicine, digital imaging, electronic medical records. Even advanced management tools to help run the organization.”
Audrey continues to volunteer her time in the community as a member of the Senior Citizen of the Year selection committee, various church committees, and the Nereson Cemetery Association.
Mike remains a board member of Oak Crest Senior Housing and is involved with Moe Lutheran Church in Roseau. He is also active with the Roseau County Trailblazers and the Northwest Angle Edge Riders snowmobile clubs.
Both wish to thank all of LifeCare’s employees, administration, medical staff, and fellow Board members for their support over the years.
“Actually, it is we who need to thank them,” says LifeCare President/CEO Keith Okeson.
“Audrey and Mike
have devoted
countless hours
of their time
ensuring that
quality
healthcare is
available to the
people of this
region for years
to come.” |
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