Karen McLennan (formerly Karen Thingelstad) | Chairperson
“I have lived in Grand Forks since 1989 and love it here. I so firmly believe that to be a vibrant community we need to have access to great healthcare. That is just what Altru has provided and will continue to provide, even through trying times. Having the ability to make our decisions locally is of the utmost importance. Our community is also bolstered by the jobs provided by Altru and the economic impact that it brings to our community. I am honored to begin my service on the board and look forward to giving back to both Altru and the community.”
Eric Halverson | Vice-Chairperson
“Improving health and enriching life is a worthy mission to be part of. It is a critical component to maintaining a vibrant, welcoming, and engaged community. This region is second to none, and the local health care system is an enormous contributing factor. As a board, we have the responsibility to ensure Altru continually achieves this mission in the face of current and future challenges."
Tammy Peterson | Secretary
“Top-tier regional healthcare is essential to the health and economic vitality of the Grand Forks region. Passionate about both the quality of care and financial health at Altru, I value the opportunity to serve and collaborate with others on the board. I am grateful to the Altru team for their commitment to the health and well-being of our community.”
Scott Meyer
"Having access to healthcare for all people is a priority to me. Emphasizing a healthy lifestyle, through diet and exercise while having local, community-oriented, healthcare options is vital to a strong region. Having access to high-quality healthcare ensures our community members can manage their well-being, close to home, in Grand Forks."
Russel Crary
“Being born and raised in Grand Forks, and now my raising our children in Grand Forks, I can say that we are lucky to have Altru. Providing healthcare to our region, as well as being an exceptional partner in the community, Altru is an integral institution not only for health and wellness but also as an economic pillar of the region. It is an honor to serve on Altru Health System Board of Directors.”
Andrew Sorbo
“The residents in the communities that Altru serves expect to receive the highest quality of care. I believe that expectation is well-deserved, and look forward to serving on the board and supporting Altru’s vision to continue to meet this expectation, now and in the long into the future.”
Josh Deere, MD
“I believe that everyone who works in healthcare has their ‘why’ – it is what drives them to bring their best every day for those we serve. As President, I am focused on inspiring our teams to deliver purpose-driven care for the residents of our region, and ensuring our providers and employees are engaged in their work and connected to Altru’s mission.”
Todd Forkel
“Altru’s vision statement is to deliver world-class healthcare to the residents of our region. It is exciting to be part of an organization that strives to always find opportunities to be better at what we do. That is the true measuring stick of greatness – incremental improvement. As CEO, my goal is to help build upon what the team at Altru has achieved to bring world-class levels of quality, safety, service and employee engagement for those we serve."
Rebecca Novacek, MD
“As a provider who has served our patients for more than a decade, I am committed to making a difference for our community. I am excited for the opportunity to be a voice for Altru’s providers and patients on our board.”
Jody Treuer, MD
"I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Altru Health System Board of Directors. My family and I have enjoyed living in this community for over 18 years and I hope to use my experiences and appreciation to ensure that Altru and the people we serve continue to thrive."