News

The nomination deadline for the 2024 Stars Among Us Awards is Monday, Sept. 11 - that is less than three short weeks away. Share your stories to recognize these people in your organization for statewide recognition:

LeadingAge Minnesota’s 2023 Assisted Living Conference on Aug. 16-17 provided aging services professionals with training, timely updates, and resources needed to confidently meet state requirements and provide quality care for seniors.

Lyngblomsten, a Minnesota nonprofit senior services organization, recently opened its new continuum-of-care campus in Lino Lakes.

Knute Nelson, based in Alexandria, and Walker Methodist, based in Minnetonka, have entered into an agreement to merge the two companies into one. This merger is set to be finalized on Jan. 1, 2024.

LeadingAge Minnesota is excited to welcome Jessica Lacher as the new Director of Membership. With an impressive background spanning 25 years of service in various roles within provider organizations, Jessica's expertise and dedication make her a perfect fit for this position.

Stacy Rogers has joined LeadingAge Minnesota as the Vice President LeadingAge Minnesota Solutions.

With over 12,000 open nursing assistant positions around the state, we know there is no single solution to our current workforce challenges. That’s why, together with our dedicated members, LeadingAge Minnesota is doing all we can to repair the nurse aide pipeline.

In a few short weeks, Lyngblomsten will open its second community - Lyngblomsten at Lino Lakes. The community opens after years of planning and 20 months of construction. The first residents of the main building will move in mid-July.

Argentum and LeadingAge, national affiliates of LeadingAge Minnesota, are partnering with the National Association for Regulatory Administration (NARA) to create and launch the Quality in Assisted Living Collaborative (QALC).

Elections were held to fill several vacant District Officer positions at the recent District Meetings. Each of the seven geographical districts in the state is represented by an elected slate of officers – District Chair, Chair-Elect, Secretary, and District Board Director.

Three people have recently officially joined LeadingAge Minnesota’s team: James Benedict as the Senior Systems Administrator, Annie Xiong as the Office and Accounting Manager, and Nathalie Squire as the Executive Assistant.

Vista Prairie Communities (VPC), a nonprofit provider of assisted living, independent living, memory care, and care suites in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Ohio, has named Justin Hughes the Executive Director of Vista Prairie at Copperleaf in Willmar. He assumes his role on June 12.

Eric Meittunen has joined the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs as Deputy Commissioner - Veterans Healthcare. Eric will lead the Healthcare Division with responsibility for our five current and three new Veterans Homes, Adult Day Center, and Veteran Suicide Prevention initiative.

American Baptist Homes of the Midwest (ABHM), an Eden Prairie, Minnesota, based not-for-profit provider of senior living and health care, is pleased to announce the appointment of Annette Greely as the new President and Chief Executive Officer.

LeadingAge Minnesota is looking for a talented, strategic, customer-focused individual to join our team as Director of Membership. Interested candidates can learn more and apply here.

Saint Therese, a senior living leader in the Twin Cities and a member of LeadingAge Minnesota, announced it has signed a letter of intent to assume ownership of a full continuum of care life plan community from the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Monroe, Mich., through a proposed transfer of sponsorship agreement between the two nonprofit organizations. The life plan community is IHM Senior Living Community (IHM SLC).

On Wednesday of this week, a group of LeadingAge Minnesota members attended a “Mini Day at the Capitol” in an effort to continually share our stories and drive legislative action. They had the opportunity to meet with their lawmakers to discuss our long-term care policy priorities and share their stories.

Gene Gustason, a long-time LeadingAge Minnesota member, has announced his retirement from the Stewartville Care Center effective at the end of March. He completes his career in the sector after 29 years at the skilled nursing setting in Stewartville. The Stewartville Care Center is an 85-bed skilled nursing facility for residential and rehabilitative care.

Jennifer Marcus of Vista Prairie Communities has been promoted to the newly created position of Regional Director of Operations within her organization.

Erin Shvetzoff Hennessey, CEO of HDG and LeadingAge Minnesota Board Member, was included in Modern Healthcare’s Top Women Leaders of 2023 list. This award honors female executives from all sectors of the healthcare system who are developing policy, leading change, and guiding healthcare delivery improvement across the country.