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2024 MNASCA Annual Conference
Speaker Information
Sen. Jim Abeler
Senator, Minnesota Senate
LinkedIn profile
Jim Abeler has had a long career in both politics and healthcare. He was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1998 and where he continued to serve until 2015. During his tenure in the House, Abeler chaired several committees, including the Health Policy and Finance Subcommittee. In 2016, he ran for the Minnesota Senate and won his special election. He represents District 35 in the northern Twin Cities metropolitan area. Professionally, Senator Abeler has worked as a chiropractor, owning and operating the Abeler Chiropractic Clinic in Anoka. His background in healthcare has significantly influenced his political career and policy interests. Senator Abeler is the Ranking Minority Member on the Human Services Committee and also serves as a member of the Education Policy and Health and Human Services Committee.
Rep. Kristin Bahner
Representative, Minnesota House
LinkedIn profile
Kristin Bahner has served as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2019. She represents District 37B, which includes the city of Maple Grove. During her time in the House, Rep. Bahner has taken on several important roles, including Chair of the Legislative Commission on Cybersecurity, Vice Chair of the Human Services Finance Committee, and a Member of the Elections Finance and Policy, Health Finance and Policy, and State and Local Government Finance and Policy Committees. In 2024, she championed legislation limiting the use of prior authorization for treatments and medications. Outside of politics, Bahner is a small business owner and IT consultant specializing in agile software development and project management. Throughout her career, Bahner has been known for her collaborative approach to problem-solving and her commitment to bipartisan cooperation. MNASCA will be honoring Rep. Bahner as our 2024 Legislator of the Year during the awards luncheon on Thursday!
Nels Dyste
Vice President, Dyste Williams
LinkedIn profile
Nels Dyste is Vice President of Dyste Williams, an independent insurance agency headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As a trusted advisor, Nels delivers comprehensive consulting and business insurance solutions to small to mid-size organizations in the dental, oral maxillofacial surgery, outpatient healthcare, and craft beverage sectors. He develops innovative strategies based on careful analysis and market research to protect his clients’ financial and organizational wellbeing. As a fourth generation family member, Nels joined Dyste Williams in 2014. He is active in the Minnesota Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (MNASCA), Minnesota Dental Association (MDA), Minnesota Optometric Association (MOA), Minnesota Medical Group Management Association (MMGMA), Minnesota Veterinary Management Association (MVMA) and other dental, vision, and veterinary advisory groups. He has presented at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, the Minnesota Optometric Association and advisor-sponsored educational events.
Jim Grana, CHSP
Physical Environment Specialist, Physical Environment Department, Standards Interpretation Group, The Joint Commission
LinkedIn Profile
Jim Grana is a Physical Environment Specialist (PES) in the Standards Interpretation Group (SIG) at The Joint Commission. In this role, he supports accredited organizations and Joint Commission Surveyors as a resource for questions and interpretive guidance regarding the standards, and serves as faculty for educational programs throughout the U.S. He is a technical content specialist for the Environment of Care, Emergency Management and Life Safety chapters for all Joint Commission accreditation manuals.
Mr. Grana has 10 years of health care experience starting in facilities maintenance as a mechanic before transitioning into management as a Safety Manager, and then a Facilities Manager in the Chicagoland area. In addition to facilities safety and plant operations, Mr. Grana has a strong background in planning, design, and construction, and has served as an Assistant Project Manager on health care capital improvement construction and renovation projects. He is a Certified Healthcare Safety Professional (CHSP), a member of the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE), and a member of Healthcare Engineer’s Society of Northern Illinois (HESNI).
Raymond Grundman, MSN, MPA, FNP-BC, CASC
Surveyor and Educator, AAAHC
Ray Grundman has been involved in ambulatory health care for over 40 years in various roles as a clinician, educator, and administrator. His professional roles have included clinical practice as a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, group medical practice and health plan administrator, and founder and Executive Director of several surgery centers. An active member of MGMA for many years, he has twice served as President of its Ambulatory Surgery Management Society specialty assembly. He was President of the AAAHC while serving on its Board from 1997-2010 and is the founding President of the Wisconsin Surgery Center Association. Ray has also served on the Boards of the ASC Association and the CASC. He is an active AAAHC surveyor and surveyor education and training faculty member, as well as a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and a Board-Certified Surgery Center Administrator.
Debbie Fuehrer, MA, LPCC
Mind-Body Medicine Counselor, Integrative Medicine and Health, Mayo Clinic
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Mayo College of Medicine
LinkedIn Profile
Debbie L. Fuehrer, MA, LPCC is employed as a Mind-Body Medicine Counselor in Integrative Medicine and Health at Mayo Clinic, working with Dr. Amit Sood since 2010 as program manager. She has a master’s degree in counseling and psychological services and is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with the academic rank of Assistant Professor of Medicine, Mayo College of Medicine. She provides counseling services to patients, educational activities and presentations related to IMH Mind-Body practices, including the topics of stress management, anxiety reduction and hypnosis to other healthcare professionals and groups external to Mayo. She coordinates Integrative Medicine and Health, Mind-Body program/services including clinical practice, education and research initiatives. She provided crisis assessment and counseling for Olmsted County Diversion Program as a mental health professional through Zumbro Valley Health Center for several years. During her internship at the Federal Medical Center – Rochester, she started the theatre program for inmates at the mental health unit, directing plays and substituting for actors when needed. She co-wrote a play workshopped at FMC which was presented at the Rochester Repertory Theatre in January, 2019.
Stefan Gildemeister
State Health Economist and Director, Health Economics Program, MN Department of Health
LinkedIn Profile
Stefan Gildemeister has more than 20 years of experience at the intersection of health policy and health services research. As the State Health Economist, he serves as Minnesota’s expert on complex technical and policy issues related to health insurance coverage, health care costs, and the health care delivery system. In this role, he advises the administration and the legislature on key policy issues and proposals. As Health Economics Program Director, Stefan is responsible for managing the conception and conduct of empirical research, developing and communicating research findings to broad audiences, and overseeing data systems in support of analytic activities. He has been the P.I. for federal research grants, a member of national advisory groups, and co-author of numerous research studies, policy briefs, and publications.
Michele C.S. Lange, Esq., CIPP/US
Managing Director & Counsel, Company Employee Adjuster, Travelers
LinkedIn profile
Michele C.S. Lange, Esq., CIPP/US is an attorney, writer, and legal technology and privacy professional with over 20 years of legal and business experience, working at the intersection of technology and law. She currently holds the position of Managing Director & Counsel in Bond & Specialty Insurance at Travelers, a role she has been in since November 2022. Prior to her current role, Michele served as Claim Counsel in Bond & Specialty Insurance at Travelers from 2019 to November 2022, where she managed cybersecurity, data breach, and ransomware claims. She has a proven track record of solving complex cybersecurity, eDiscovery, and data privacy challenges.
John Mack, LICSW, MSW
Mind Body Medicine Counselor, Integrative Medicine and Health Program, Mayo Clinic
John Mack is a licensed clinical social worker with a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from the University of St. Thomas. With over a decade of experience, John began his career in the fast-paced environment of an emergency department, specializing in mental health crisis interventions. For the past 10 years, he has worked as a therapist in an integrative behavioral health program at Mayo Clinic, providing comprehensive mental health care within the primary care settings. John is dedicated to delivering patient-centered, evidence-based interventions that support individuals in achieving mental wellness and overall health.
Georgine Madden
Organizational Development Consultant and Founder of GEORGE: Purpose, People, Performance, Ltd.
LinkedIn profile
Our speaker, Georgine Madden, is a seasoned Organizational Development Consultant. She is highly regarded for her work in culture and engagement, leadership development, executive coaching, team building, and facilitation. One of her greatest strengths lies in her ability to enhance growth and development by relating concepts and strategies to useful skills and tools for relevant organizational issues and goals. Georgine started her consulting firm, GEORGE, in 2002 with a passion and mission to help organizations set strategies that link purpose, people, and performance so that individuals, teams, and organizations experience growth and sustained health.
Nicole Osterloh, RN
Federal Operations Supervisor | Licensing and Certification | Evaluation, MN Department of Health
LinkedIn Profile
Nicole Osterloh is a dedicated professional serving as the Federal Operations Supervisor for Licensure and Certification at the Minnesota Department of Health. In her role, she leads the supervision of Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASC), and End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) facilities. Osterloh's responsibilities include overseeing the survey process for healthcare facilities to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations. She is a registered nurse with extensive experience in various nursing specialties, including: infection control, vascular surgery, cardiology, orthopedics, podiatry, wound care, ophthalmology, and nephrology. With a strong background in nursing and healthcare regulation, she plays a crucial role in maintaining high standards of patient care across the state.
Thomas Poul
Principal and Legislative Attorney, Poul Haas P.A.
LinkedIn Profile
Thomas Poul is a highly regarded government relations attorney with three decades of public policy experience. His effective advocacy is built on a foundation of strong capitol relationships, expert knowledge of the political and legislative process, exceptional communication skills, and a collegial advocacy approach. Tom’s work in government relations includes legal and legislative representation at the Minnesota Legislature, State Agencies, and the Executive Branch support, counsel on regulatory matters, state and local government procurement assistance as well as political advice and counsel. He assists many different types of clients to strategically navigate government including corporations, trade associations, nonprofits, as well as local governments. Tom’s areas of expertise include health care, education, tax policy, insurance, municipal and public finance, and technology.
Rasana Rana, MS, MBBS
Industrial Hygienist | MNOSHA Workplace Safety Consultation, MN Department of Labor and Industry
Rasana is an Industrial Hygienist with MN OSHA Workplace Safety Consultation. She has a diverse medical background, having worked in Nepal, India, China, and the Philippines, specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Rana holds a master's degree in safety and risk management from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Her career path led her to medical device manufacturing before joining MNOSHA Compliance as an Industrial Hygienist. Currently, she works as a Health Consultant for MNOSHA Consultation, utilizing her extensive experience to promote safety and health standards across various industries.
Angela Ritchey
Clinical Education Specialist, STERIS
LinkedIn profile
Angela Ritchey has worked in Sterile Processing for more than 15 years as a Tech, Lead, and Associate Manager, playing an active role in opening an off-site reprocessing center, and most recently was Market Manager of Sterile Processing for eight hospitals in the Nebraska and western Iowa. She is currently a Clinical Education Specialist representing STERIS in support of Infection Prevention Technology (IPT) Healthcare. Angela holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and a Master of Arts in English from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She has written several articles for industry publications, holds CRCST, CIS, CHL, and GTS certifications, and is a member of HSPA, AORN, APIC, ASQ, and SGNA.
Mary K. Ryan, MBA, BSN, RN, CAIP, CASC
Senior Consultant, Amblitel
LinkedIn profile
Mary Ryan learned to scrub while in Nursing school and has remained in the perioperative field ever since. Early in her nursing career, she was appointed the Director of Nursing for a startup surgery center. In addition, Mary held positions such as Administrator, Group Administrator, Regional Manager, Group Clinical Director and Clinical Consultant. She has assisted many start-up centers as they became certified and helped others achieve or maintain accreditation. She currently is a Senior Consultant for Amblitel. Mary was one of the founding members of the Iowa ASC Association and served as the first President. Mary has served on the Board of Ambulatory Surgery Certification (BASC) and frequently speaks at the ASCA Annual Conference. She has been one of the three main presenters for the Management Essentials for ASC Administrator course for many years.
Madison Sackett, MSN, RN, CNOR
Perioperative Clinical Specialist, Solventum
LinkedIn profile
Madison Sackett is a Perioperative Clinical Specialist at Solventum providing professional education to hospitals, surgery centers, professional organizations, and trade shows. He provides product demonstration, education, and training to customers on all surgical products from the Medical Surgical Division Perioperative Portfolio. Throughout his nursing career, Madison has developed a diverse perioperative background; encompassing pediatric, adult, ambulatory, and inpatient experiences. He recently obtained a Professional Educator, Perioperative Certificate of Mastery (PEP-COM) from the Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI) and is also a Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR) with Basic Life Support (BLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), along with EPIC and Cerner Electronic Medical Record (EMR) training.
Eric Senst
Director of Sales and Marketing, Boonya Systems
LinkedIn profile
Eric focuses on providing clients with secure IT and cybersecurity solutions to suit the specific needs of their clinic. Boonya Systems is headquartered in Bloomington, MN and serves clients all over the United States. Eric joined Boonya in 2015, where he has helped grow the company into one of the top private practice healthcare IT providers in the Midwest. Boonya provides a variety of services such as IT helpdesk support, offsite/cloud backup, email services, network administration, cybersecurity solutions, cloud hosting, hardware sales and other IT solutions. Eric is actively involved in many private practice medical associations and networking groups all over the country, where is he frequently featured to speak about the importance of cybersecurity. Eric’s goal is to simplify IT and cybersecurity to help clients spend less time dealing with IT issues, so they can focus more time on what really matters – providing great care to their patients.
Allison Stock, JD, RN
Chief Operating Officer, Surgical Management Professionals
LinkedIn profile
Allison Stock serves as the Chief Operations Officer (COO) and is responsible for day-to-day operations of SMP and provides operational support to all SMP facilities. Allison believes in a collaborative work environment ensuring that SMP adapts to the specialized needs of each client. Before her role as COO, Allison served as the VP of Clinical & Operational Services and assisted SMP with the development of ASCs. Before joining SMP, she worked in ASC Operations and Compliance and served as the Executive Director of a multi-specialty surgery center for over 10 years. Allison has been a speaker at Becker’s Business and Operations of ASCs Conference and a contributor to several articles for Becker’s ASC Review. Allison is a RN with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Indiana University and a Juris Doctorate degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and maintains her CNOR, CASC, and CAIP credentials.
Alex Taira
Regulatory Policy and Research Manager, ASCA
LinkedIn profile
Alex Taira serves as the Regulatory Policy and Research Manager at the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA), a position he has held since 2017. In this role, Taira focuses primarily on federal regulatory affairs, with a particular emphasis on Medicare policies affecting ambulatory surgery centers. Taira is recognized as an energetic policy strategist with a proven track record of understanding industry structures and synthesizing opportunities for operational improvement and business development. He has established himself as one of the industry's go-to experts on regulatory affairs, particularly in relation to the No Surprises Act and its implementation. His ability to break down complex regulatory issues and provide actionable insights has made him a valuable resource for ASC professionals.
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