News

Join us for a virtual conversation on March 22 at 3:30 – 4 p.m. to get a refresher on all we do to support our members. 

Volunteers were honored at the statewide and district levels at the recent Institute & Expo. The award recognizes individuals who volunteer in older adult services for their dedication, commitment, and positive impact on the lives of seniors and their communities.

LeadingAge Minnesota presented the District Caregiver of the Year Awards at the recent Institute & Expo.

The District Caregiver of the Year Award honors individuals in older adult services who demonstrate exceptional commitment to older adults and enhance and enrich the quality of life of those in their care. The honorees were selected for the regional award out of a field of 50,000 professional caregivers throughout the state.

Jill Gustafson, Director of Nursing at Lake Ridge Care Center in Buffalo, MN, was honored by LeadingAge Minnesota with the Outstanding Leadership Award at the LeadingAge Minnesota Institute & Expo.

Tiffani Kortenbusch, Director of Nursing for CentraCare Melrose Care Center, received LeadingAge Minnesota's first-ever Rising Star Award at the annual Institute & Expo on Feb. 9.

Rev. Dr. Gary Wilkerson, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Cassia in Edina, was recently named Board Trustee of the Year by LeadingAge Minnesota.

As 2022 begins, LeadingAge Minnesota wants to make sure you know about all our educational resources and events throughout the year.

Our professional education programs are designed around proven research-based best practices. They don't just focus on what members need to comply with regulations. Regulations are the minimum; best practices go above and beyond.

With the return of the Institute to RiverCentre in February, we are excited to announce that the Experience Expo is SOLD OUT with 145 exhibit booths of products, services, and other goods to help make your work easier. Our exhibitors are very much looking forward to seeing you in person after a two-year absence. Make plans now to spend some time connecting with exhibitors.

Jenna Kellerman, LeadingAge Minnesota's Director of Workforce Solutions, has accepted a position at LeadingAge, our national partner based in Washington, DC. In her new role as Workforce Strategy and Development Director, she will apply her many talents to impact the long-term care workforce at a national level and tackle federal barriers and solutions that will benefit all states.

LeadingAge Minnesota has selected Kari Thurlow as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. She will begin her new role on Jan. 3. 

The LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation is excited to announce our sixth annual silent auction, which returns to the 2022 Institute this year. Thanks to the generosity of the LeadingAge Minnesota community, our previous auctions have raised over $40,000 to support the critical work of the Foundation. With your help, we can make this year's auction even more successful!

We hope you can join us for our virtual district meetings next month. We have some phenomenal content that we know will be of relevance and value to all our members!  You can see the District Meeting Agenda Here.

We are looking forward to the 2022 Institute and delivering the in-person education and networking experience that we have not offered since the onset of COVID-19. We want everyone interested in attending Institute to do so safely. To that end, we developed health and safety protocols in accordance with CDC guidelines and association industry best practices for large events. As circumstances warrant, we may modify our requirements.

LeadingAge Minnesota has announced its 2022 District Meeting schedule.

In January, we are kicking things off with a virtual connection with plans of being in person for the other two meetings.  We plan to bring you a slate of relevant topics, including our legislative overview, resiliency resources, and a workforce-related CEU.

Have you had the opportunity to connect with our technical experts? They stand ready to assist you on the phone, through email, at our offices or in your community. They can help guide you through questions about regulations, operations, payment, quality and best practices.

The newest cohort of emerging leaders have completed their coursework and will graduate from the 2021 Leadership Academy at the Institute & Expo in February.

A special message from Erin Hilligan, Chair of the LeadingAge Minnesota CEO Search Committee

LeadingAge Minnesota's CEO Search Committee has been hard at work participating in a very thoughtful search process to select the next CEO. The committee has begun conducting candidate interviews, and committee members have been impressed with the interest level and caliber of candidates.

A special message from Erin Hilligan, Chair of the LeadingAge Minnesota Board of Directors

I am writing to share some news that you may already have heard, which impacts my continued service as the Chair of the LeadingAge Minnesota Board of Directors. An exciting new career opportunity emerged several weeks ago, and I have accepted a new leadership position with WesleyLife in Iowa. I will take up my new responsibilities there at the beginning of 2022.

Barb Rode, President & CEO of Saint Therese, has announced to the organization's Board of Directors her intent to retire in early summer 2022.

Next week, many of you will celebrate Thanksgiving, and the LeadingAge Minnesota office will be closed on Thursday and Friday. Here's what you can expect next week from our team.