May 21, 2009

BIGFORK VALLEY NEWS RELEASE

GAIL BLACKMER AWARDED MINNESOTA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION TRUSTEE OF THE YEAR

Gail Blackmer, chair of the board of trustees for Bigfork Valley, has been selected as Trustee of the Year by the Minnesota Hospital Association.

The Trustee of the Year award honors a hospital or health system board member who has made a significant contribution to community health through board leadership and development of services or programs. The award also recognizes the development of cooperative programs within the community. It is one of just six individual awards given annually by the MHA, the professional association representing 147 acute and non-acute care hospitals in Minnesota.

Blackmer was elected to the board of Bigfork Valley in 1985 and became chair in 2005. Bigfork Valley is a critical access hospital, surgery center, pharmacy and senior living complex located in Bigfork with three outlying medical clinics in Coleraine, Marcell and Balsam. Blackmer is also on the board of Cook Area Health Services which provides primary care services through the Scenic Rivers Health Services clinics in Floodwood, Northome, Big Falls, Bigfork and Cook.

During her tenure she has led Bigfork Valley in a major new building program, expanded services to the community, instituted technology such as an electronic medical record, supported trustee development and strategic planning under a new mission and vision statement, and fostered a sense of community responsibility.

"She has helped create the kind of progressive atmosphere which has allowed Bigfork Valley to develop and offer an unusual number of services for a rural community," said Dan Odegaard, CEO. "And she has done this without losing sight of the outreach and basic services so important to our area."

During 2008, Blackmer also led the board in establishing a separate nonprofit community foundation, the Bigfork Valley Foundation, to be a vehicle for charitable donations to local worthwhile community and Bigfork Valley projects. She personally volunteers in another outreach, the NAPS (Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors) network.

"We are thrilled that Gail has received this well-deserved recognition," said Odegaard. "She has been a true asset for us at Bigfork Valley."