Uncategorized – Here for Life

Hennepin Healthcare is one of the first healthcare organizations to meet or exceed rigorous requirements for national health equity accreditation

October 18, 2022

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) recently announced that Hennepin Healthcare earned its Health Equity Accreditation Plus accreditation, which recognizes organizations that lead the market in providing culturally and linguistically sensitive services, and work to reduce health care disparities. NCQA awards Accreditation to organizations that meet or exceed its rigorous requirements for health equity. Hennepin Healthcare was one of two healthcare organizations in the country to receive this recognition – the first time NCQA has accredited healthcare systems.

Dr. Nneka Sederstrom, Hennepin Healthcare’s Chief Health Equity Officer, has been leading the way in the organization’s efforts to align their practices into policies. (more…)

‘Putting up’ fall foods

September 9, 2022

Integrative Internal Medicine Physician, Farmer, and Food-Lover Dr. Kate Shafto teaches us how to make our fall harvest last throughout the winter.

As summer wanes and signs of fall arrive, my attention turns to how I can honor the bounty of summer’s harvest and preserve it for the winter months ahead.

I did not grow up with this tradition, though I vaguely recall an awareness that some people in rural Tennessee, where I was born, spent time canning, preserving and “putting up” food for the winter. I have chosen to learn these skills in recent years as a way to align my family’s lifestyle with our values of respect for the earth, reducing food waste (and packaging and food costs), having more connection to our food and eating as locally as possible for as much of the year as possible. (more…)

Hennepin team members honored during ceremony returning sacred land to Fond du Lac community

September 1, 2022

Two weeks ago, two members of our Hennepin Healthcare team – Lindsey King and her mother Laura King (shown 1st and 2nd above along with Governor Evers, Brian and Patty Brunette and Lindsey’s son Matthew Marzolf) —took a walk with the governor of Wisconsin across sacred land that had been torn from their ancestors and that Lindsey’s great-grandfather spent his life fighting to reclaim. It was the end of a long journey, more than 100 years in the making, to return sacred burial grounds to the Anishinaabe people. (more…)

From hurricanes to high-security events—how surgery aide Joe Skinner answers the call to serve

August 17, 2022

When Joe Skinner takes a break from his job as a surgery aide at Hennepin Healthcare, he’s often headed to a coastal city—but not for a restful beach vacation. Instead he’s flying straight toward a hurricane. (more…)

How urban expressionist Michelle Jones finds beauty in the imperfect while creating art that affirms

July 27, 2022

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, many felt disconnected from family, friends, and the activities that brought them joy. For Michelle Jones, this was the launchpad to hone a new skill and find her voice during a troubling time.

Michelle, who recently celebrated eight years at Hennepin Healthcare, is a Senior Revenue Cycle Management Representative. Her work includes billing follow up and denials for government-based programs. Although she has spent much of her career in healthcare, Michelle has always pursued creative hobbies. Before the pandemic, this included working as a makeup artist. (more…)

The Great Slimdown program meets patients where they’re at through a supportive, patient-centered approach

July 26, 2022

With summer comes the impulse to get out and enjoy the sun and move our bodies more—swimming, running, biking, hiking. For some people, excess weight may affect their ability to enjoy these activities or their comfort with completing everyday tasks. Hennepin Healthcare’s The Great Slim-Down team meets these patients where they are, with an approach that treats obesity through nutrition, behavior adjustments, physical activity, and medication therapy. (more…)

Regionally recognized Health Care Hero in the First Responder category: Paramedic John Sylvester

June 22, 2022

Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal has celebrated the best of the Twin Cities for many years. This year, Paramedic John Sylvester is the 2022 Mpls/St. Paul Business Journal second annual Health Care Hero in the First Responder category. This award recognizes Twin Cities individuals for putting innovation, care, dedication and compassion to work to improve the human condition. John was celebrated at an award ceremony for his passion of going above and beyond his duties. (Pictured above at the ceremony with his parents, his son, and his wife.) (more…)