News

LeadingAge Minnesota has a new home, and association members are welcome anytime!

As we prepare for the coming year, we invite you to participate in LeadingAge Minnesota committees in 2024.

Ridgeway Senior Living and Vista Prairie Communities have completed the transition of ownership for both two senior communities located in New Ulm.

Barb Rode, Mark Landreville, and Gene Gustason were nominated for LeadingAge Minnesota’s Honorary Lifetime Membership and approved by voting members at the Annual Business Meeting at the Annual Meeting & Leadership Forum.

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

LeadingAge Minnesota’s Nurse Leadership Certificate Program supports new and emerging nurse leaders. Nurse leaders in skilled nursing care centers, assisted living, or home care settings, new to or moving into leadership positions, came together for five months of networking, learning, and support.

The Three Links and St. Francis Health Services Boards of Directors have announced their intent to merge the two organizations. The merger will officially take place on Nov. 1, 2023.

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.