GRMC Board Announces 2011 Officers and New Members

Grinnell Regional Medical Center’s Board of Directors welcomes three new members as it announces the 2011 officers.

The 2011 GRMC Board of Director officers are: chair – Ed Hatcher, Grinnell, long-time board member and area farmer; chair-elect – Bill Menner, Grinnell, the Iowa State Director for Rural Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture; past chair – Susan Witt, Grinnell, co-owner of Miraco, Corp., vice-president of Ahrens Foundation, and president of Ahrens Park Foundation; treasurer – Frank Brownell, Montezuma, owner of Brownells; and secretary – Stan Greenwald, MD, Grinnell, retired physician.

Wendy S. Kadner and Todd L. Reding began serving three-year terms on the GRMC Board of Directors in April. In addition, George Drake will serve a two-year term in an ex-officio role as the chair of the GRMC Foundation Board. These new members join 11 area residents in providing direction, vision, and strategic planning for GRMC’s future.

New board members

Kadner, senior vice-president and co-founder of Vitalize Consulting Solutions, has worked in healthcare for her entire career. She earned a master’s in health services administration, initially with the goal of becoming a hospital administrator. In 2002, she helped found a healthcare information technology and recruitment company.

“I’m excited to be able to share my career capabilities in a way that benefits the community where I live,” Kadner says. “I understand the operations, budgeting, and planning needs in healthcare and this board position allows me to use those skills to help our community hospital.”

Kadner earned a BA from Simpson College and a MHSA from University of Kansas. She moved to Grinnell in 2002. Her business, Vitalize Consulting Solutions, is a virtual company based out of Reading, Mass., which allows her to live in central Iowa while still serving as an executive in a national company.

Kadner fills her free time with supporting her daughter Makayla’s activities, helping at the Poweshiek Animal League Shelter, and enjoying concerts and travels.

“I’ve personally experienced GRMC’s inpatient and emergency department services. It is those experiences that make me really appreciate and value having a great community hospital. The staff were caring, knowledgeable people who created a positive experience,” Kadner says. “I see the value of having this hospital in the community and want to support it.”

The passion for quality healthcare intrigued Todd L. Reding to join the GRMC trustees as well.

“My family is involved in healthcare with several family members serving as physicians. It’s part of our family culture and I’m comfortable in the world of healthcare. I’m passionate about the positive changes in the future and the mission of our medical center,” explains Todd Reding, president and CEO, ASI of Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, and Wyoming.

“These are exciting times in healthcare with so many changes coming at us. It’s always improving. So as I join this board, I want to gain a deep understanding of the healthcare governance structure. One area of emphasis for me on the board will be quality initiatives. Quality is essential to our mission and I want to work with the quality committee to continuously improve our community hospital,” Reding says.

Reding was already familiar with GRMC operations and quality focus as he served an ex-officio role on the board as the chair of the GRMC Foundation Board. He received a bachelor’s degree from Rockhurst University, Kansas City, Mo., and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. He currently serves on the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce board as well.
George Drake, a long-standing icon in Grinnell, returns to the board as well. Drake served on the GRMC board in the early 1980s under the Michael Faas administration. He rejoined the board as another opportunity to serve the community in an organization that is such a vital part of the community.

“Issues from the early ‘80s were very different. It was a different world. Outpatient care was just beginning to take hold and we were still trying to keep certified beds as high as possible,” explains Drake. “Now, my goal is to understand the healthcare reform and make positive changes. Changes in the economic world affect how GRMC operates. The financial problem of underfunding is huge. We can work to resolve the payment issue.”

Drake graduated from Grinnell College in 1956. He went on to attend the University of Paris and Oxford University, as a Rhodes Scholar, before earning a PhD from the University of Chicago in 1965. Drake returned to Grinnell College as a professor of history and served as Grinnell College’s president from 1979 to 1991.

Community involvement remains an important part of Drake’s life. He serves on the Greater Poweshiek Community foundation, Mayflower Community Board, and GRMC Foundation. He also is the benefactor for the new Drake Community Library, named after him and his wife, Sue. He’s also seen performing in the Shults and Company sharing his musical talents.

Board

“These individuals all bring extraordinary experiences and strengths to the GRMC board of trustees,” explains Todd Linden, GRMC president and CEO. “With the uncertainty of how healthcare reform legislation will unfold, this board will face challenges never experienced before as we balance options for optimal patient care and financial stability.”

GRMC and the residents served by the medical center have benefited from the diverse membership of the board and representation by community members as well as medical professionals. The GRMC Board of Trustees includes the officers and new members listed above as well as Karla Erickson; Laura Ferguson, MD; JoAnn Manatt; Debby Pohlson; Michelle Rebelsky, MD; Wally Walker, and Joanne Yuska. Ex officio members of the board include Todd Linden; Laura Van Cleve, DO, medical staff president, and Drake.

The board is responsible for overall governance of GRMC, a nonprofit, private medical center. Its primary roles include maintaining the mission and vision; strategic planning; appointing members of the medical and allied health staff; approving the annual budget and providing financial oversight; monitoring overall quality of services; and appointing the chief executive.