Joint statement from Minnesota’s and health systems on stopping the spread of COVID-19 Nov. 12, 2020

As the and leaders of hospitals and health systems throughout Minnesota, we have an important message to share regarding stopping the spread of COVID-19.

Hospitals, health systems and providers are watching with growing concern as COVID-19 cases quickly increase in Minnesota, fueled by broad community spread in all parts of the state. Demand for care is increasing in both medical-surgical and intensive care units, and the percentage of beds occupied by patients with COVID-19 is growing.

The high level of community transmission means that our health care heroes – including nurses, doctors, therapists, pharmacists, support services, housekeeping, technicians, advanced practice providers and many more – are contracting COVID-19 as they go about their daily lives in our communities. Reducing and preventing community spread is critical to helping keep our health care heroes healthy and able to care for patients.

For the past many months, hospitals, health systems and the Minnesota Hospital Association have joined with Gov. Tim Walz and the Minnesota Department of Health to urge Minnesotans to do their part to help slow community spread. Simple best practices including physically distancing at least 6 feet from others, washing hands frequently and wearing a mask in public can help break the chain of transmission.

Our hospitals and health systems are working to keep our patients, visitors and health care workers safe by requiring staff, patients and visitors to follow public safety protocols, including mask-wearing and screenings upon entry to our facilities. We urge Minnesotans to exercise this same care as they interact in the community.

Minnesotans must do all we can now to reduce the community spread of COVID-19. As we did at the beginning of this pandemic, we each need to do our part and protect our health care heroes, our family members and our communities.

Carol Koeppel-Olsen, RN, Chief Nursing Officer John Smyrski III, M.D., Vice President Medical Affairs Abbott Northwestern Hospital Abbott Northwestern Hospital Minneapolis, MN Minneapolis, MN

Mary Beth Larson, RN, Risk & Patient Representative Mary L. Olson, M.D. Manager Access Health Windom | Avera Medical Group Windom Abbott Northwestern Hospital Windom, MN Minneapolis, MN

Molly Clark, Pharm.D., Vice President, Safety and Quality Ryan Else, M.D., Vice President, Medical Affairs/Co- Allina Health Interim Chief Medical Officer Minneapolis, MN Allina Health Minneapolis, MN

John S. Misa, M.D., Co-Interim Chief Medical Officer Deb Dittberner, M.D., Chief Medical Officer Allina Health Group Alomere Health Minneapolis, MN Alexandria, MN

Margaret Kalina, RN, Chief Nursing Officer Ranita Schmitt, RN, Director of Nursing Alomere Health Appleton Area Health Alexandria, MN Appleton, MN

Swachetan Bajwa, M.D., Chief of Staff Dodie Derynck, RN, Chief Nursing Officer Appleton Area Health Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center Appleton, MN Marshall, MN

Steven Meister, M.D., CMO/VP Medical Affairs Daniel Florey, M.D., Family Physician Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center Avera Tyler Marshall, MN Tyler, MN

Sarah Griesse, RN, Director of Patient Care Services Ed Anderson, M.D., Chief Medical Officer Avera Tyler Bigfork Valley Hospital Tyler, MN Bigfork, MN

Laura Vaneps, RN, Director of Patient Care Services Benjamin Robeck, RN, Director of Patient Care Services & Bigfork Valley Hospital CNO Bigfork, MN Buffalo Hospital Buffalo, MN

Robert Mullaney, M.D., Director of Medical Affairs Charles J. Phillips, M.D., Director of Medical Affairs Buffalo Hospital Cambridge Medical Center Buffalo, MN Cambridge, MN

Lori Weaver, RN, BSN, MA, Director of Patient Care, CNO Cindy Firkins Smith, M.D., Chief Executive Officer Cambridge Medical Center Carris Health Cambridge, MN Willmar, MN

Kathy Dillon, RN, Vice President, Acute Care/Chief Joshua Friese, M.D. Nursing Officer Carris Health - Redwood Carris Health Redwood Falls, MN Willmar, MN

Kris Garman, RN, Director of Patient Care Cindy Smith, M.D., Co-CEO Carris Health Carris Health - Redwood Carris Health - Rice Memorial Hospital Redwood Falls, MN Willmar, MN

Kathy Dillon, RN, Chief Nursing Officer, Carris Rice Lana Dirksen, M.D. Memorial Hospital CCM Health Carris Health - Rice Memorial Hospital Montevideo, MN Willmar, MN

Patty Frank, MSN, CNO/COO Chris Boelter, M.D., Physician Vice President, Medical CCM Health Specialties Division, Chairperson of the MHA Montevideo, MN and Procedures Committee CentraCare St. Cloud, MN George Morris, M.D., Physician Vice President, Jodi Hillmer, RN, Director of Patient Care Services Performance Excellence CentraCare - Long Prairie CentraCare Long Prairie, MN St. Cloud, MN

Renee Eldidy, M.D., Chief Medical Officer John Hering, M.D., Administrator and Chief Medical CentraCare - Long Prairie Officer Long Prairie, MN CentraCare - Monticello Monticello, MN

Lynn Christian, RN, Division Director, Acute Care Nursing Kurt Habben, M.D., Chief of Staff CentraCare - Monticello CentraCare - Paynesville Monticello, MN Paynesville, MN

Rachel Walz, APRN, Director of Patient Care Services Ben Haeg, M.D., Chief of Staff CentraCare - Paynesville CentraCare - Sauk Centre Paynesville, MN Sauk Centre, MN

Patty Roth, RN, Director of Patient Care Services Joy Plamann, DNP, Vice President, Acute Division and CentraCare - Sauk Centre Chief Nursing Officer Sauk Centre, MN CentraCare - St. Cloud Hospital St. Cloud, MN

Tom Schrup, M.D., Chief Physician Officer & Executive Justin Quo, M.D., Medical Director Vice President CHI LakeWood Health CentraCare - St. Cloud Hospital Baudette, MN St. Cloud, MN

Kristin Coauette, CNE Andrew Stasko, M.D., Chief of Medical Staff CHI LakeWood Health CHI St. Francis Health Baudette, MN Breckenridge, MN

Terry Anderson, RN, Vice President of Patient Care Carla Zupko, RN, Vice President, Patient Care Services Services CHI St. Gabriel's Health CHI St. Francis Health Little Falls, MN Breckenridge, MN

Chris Bell, M.D. Deb Haagenson, RN, Vice President of Patient Care CHI St. Gabriel's Health CHI St. Joseph's Health Little Falls, MN Park Rapids, MN

John Lageson, M.D., Chief of Staff Emily Chapman, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, VP Medical CHI St. Joseph's Health Affairs Park Rapids, MN Children's Minnesota Minneapolis, MN

Pam VanHazinga, RN, SVP Patient Care Svcs & CNO Charley Kendall, M.D., Incident Commander and Chief of Children's Minnesota Staff-Elect Minneapolis, MN Community Memorial Hospital Cloquet, MN

Dennis Lennartson, Senior VP of Hospital and Clinical Nichole Chiabotti, RN, Director of Nursing Operations Cook Hospital & Care Center Community Memorial Hospital Cook, MN Cloquet, MN

Robert Westin, M.D., Chief Medical Officer Stacey Weldon, RN, Chief Nursing Officer Cuyuna Regional Medical Center Cuyuna Regional Medical Center Crosby, MN Crosby, MN

Amy Elliot, M.D., Director of Medical Affairs Marylou Hofer, RN, Director of Patient Care Services District One Hospital District One Hospital Faribault, MN Faribault, MN

Rebecca Holmstrom, RN, Chief Nursing Officer Anne Stephen, M.D., Chief Medical Officer Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital Essentia Health — East Ely, MN Duluth, MN

Kari Bergman, APRN, Director of Nursing Sreejith Gopi, M.D., Medical Director Essentia Health-Ada Essentia Health-Ada Ada, MN Ada, MN

Kristin Linn, RN, Interim Director of Nursing, Hospital Steve Pitschka, M.D., ED Medical Director Clinical Supervisor Essentia Health-Deer River Essentia Health-Deer River Deer River, MN Deer River, MN

Cheryl White, M.D., Dyad Partner Devra Carlson, RN, Director of Hospital Patient Care Essentia Health-Fosston Essentia Health-Fosston Fosston, MN Fosston, MN

Jay Schmidt, M.D., Chief Medical Officer Jill Johnsrud, RN, Director of Nursing Essentia Health-Graceville Essentia Health-Graceville Graceville, MN Graceville, MN

Melissa McKay, RN, Regional Chief Nursing Officer Peter Henry, M.D., Chief Medical Officer Essentia Health-St. Joseph's Medical Center Essentia Health-St. Joseph's Medical Center Brainerd, MN Brainerd, MN

Molly Pemmaraju, M.D., CMO/Section Chair Pete Olson, M.D., Vice President Medical Affairs /Medical Director Pulmonary Rehab Fairview Range Essentia Health-Virginia Hibbing, MN Virginia, MN

Sherry Burg, Chief Nursing Officer Karen Brill, RN, Vice President of Patient Care, Chief Fairview Range Nursing Officer Hibbing, MN Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare St. Paul, MN

Micah Niermann, M.D., Vice President Clinical Affairs and Erin Dahlke, M.D., Chief Medical Officer Medical Director Glacial Ridge Health System Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare Glenwood, MN St. Paul, MN

Lynn Flesner, RN, Director of Nursing Kristine Knudten, M.D., Vice President of Medical Affairs Glacial Ridge Health System Glencoe Regional Health Glenwood, MN Glencoe, MN

Valerie Enter, RN, Chief Nursing Officer Dan Soular, M.D., Vice President of Medical Affairs Glencoe Regional Health Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital Glencoe, MN Grand Rapids, MN

Derek Flier, RN, Nurse Leader Denis Spano, M.D., V-CMO Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital Gundersen St. Elizabeth's Hospital and Clinics Grand Rapids, MN Wabasha, MN

Kimberly Wolter, RN, Chief Nursing Officer Jennifer Macik, RN, Chief Nursing Officer Gundersen St. Elizabeth's Hospital and Clinics HealthPartners Olivia Hospital & Clinic Wabasha, MN Olivia, MN

Rob Kemp, M.D., Vice President Medical Affairs Dan Hoody, M.D., Interim Chief Medical Officer HealthPartners Olivia Hospital & Clinic Hennepin Healthcare Olivia, MN Minneapolis, MN

Kelly White, RN, Chief Nursing Officer Brian Pollman, DO, Chief Medical Officer Hennepin Healthcare Hutchinson Health Minneapolis, MN Hutchinson, MN

Susan Karnitz, RN, Chief Nursing Officer Erik Shelstad, M.D., Chief of Staff Hutchinson Health Johnson Memorial Health Services Hutchinson, MN Dawson, MN

Jennifer Erdmann, RN, Director of Nursing James Sturdy, M.D., Chief Medical Officer Johnson Memorial Health Services Kittson Healthcare Dawson, MN Hallock, MN

Tawnya Sorenson, RN, Director of Nursing Josh Overgaard, M.D., Chief Medical Officer Kittson Healthcare Lake Region Healthcare Hallock, MN Fergus Falls, MN

Roberta Young, Chief Nursing Officer Bradley Alm, RN, Director of Nursing Lake Region Healthcare Lake View Hospital Fergus Falls, MN Two Harbors, MN

Shawn McMahon, M.D., Chief Medical Officer Andy Dorwart, M.D., Chief Medical Officer Lake View Hospital Lakeview Hospital Two Harbors, MN Stillwater, MN

Robbi Hagelberg, RN, Vice President of Nursing/Chief Christine Albrecht, M.D., Chief Medical Officer Nursing Officer Lakewood Health System Lakeview Hospital Staples, MN Stillwater, MN

Corrine Neisess, RN, Vice President of Nursing John Kvasnicka, M.D., President Lakewood Health System Fairview Health Medical Group Staples, MN Minneapolis, MN

Karyn Baum, M.D., Vice President, System Clinical Mark Welton, M.D., Chief Medical Officer Operations M Health Fairview M Health Fairview Minneapolis, MN Minneapolis, MN

Laura Reed, RN, Chief Nursing Executive and President, Marc Wilkinson, M.D. Acute Care Hospitals Madelia Community Hospital Inc. M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Madelia, MN Center Minneapolis, MN Megan Gossman, RN, Prevention Brant Hacker, M.D., Family , Madelia Community Hospital Inc. Madison Healthcare Services Madelia, MN Madison, MN

Kim Jibben, RN, Director of Nurses Jon Larson, M.D. Madison Healthcare Services Mahnomen Health Center Madison, MN Mahnomen, MN

Ryan Gast, RN, Director of Nursing Pam Doorenbos, M.D., Vice President, Medical Affairs Mahnomen Health Center Maple Grove Hospital Mahnomen, MN Maple Grove, MN

Wendy Ulferts, RN, VP Patient Care, CNO Amy Stolt, MMH, Chief Nursing Officer Maple Grove Hospital Meeker Memorial Hospital & Clinics Maple Grove, MN Litchfield, MN

Debra Peterson, M.D., Chief Medical Officer MariBeth Olson, RN, VP of Patient Care/Chief Nursing Meeker Memorial Hospital & Clinics Officer Litchfield, MN Mercy Hospital Coon Rapids, MN

Mari Jo Holt, RN, Vice President, Clinical Operations Jackie Ulseth, RN, Chief Nursing Officer Mercy Hospital - Unity Campus Mille Lacs Health System Fridley, MN Onamia, MN

Tom Bracken, M.D., VP Medical Affairs Helen Perlman, RN, Nurse Executive Mille Lacs Health System Minneapolis VA Health Care System Onamia, MN Minneapolis, MN

Kent Crossley, M.D., Chief of Staff KyleeAnne Stevens, M.D., Chief Medical Officer Minneapolis VA Health Care System Minnesota Department of Human Services, Direct Care Minneapolis, MN and Treatment St. Paul, MN

Roxanne Porter, RN, Nurse Executive Liaison Rahul Koranne, M.D., President and CEO Minnesota Department of Human Services, Direct Care Minnesota Hospital Association and Treatment St. Paul, MN St. Paul, MN

Monica Van Otterloo, RN, Chief Nursing Officer Steve Snow, M.D., Chief Medical Officer Murray County Medical Center Murray County Medical Center Slayton, MN Slayton, MN

Andrew Reeves, M.D., Director of Medical Affairs Jennifer Brehmer, RN, Director of Patient Care New Ulm Medical Center New Ulm Medical Center New Ulm, MN New Ulm, MN

Carolyn Ogland, M.D., Chief Medical Officer Fred Andrews, RN, Director of Nursing North Memorial Health North Shore Health Maple Grove, MN Grand Marais, MN

Kurt Farchmin, M.D. Francis Le Blanc, M.D. Chief Medical Staff North Shore Health North Valley Health Center Grand Marais, MN Warren, MN

Sara Kazmierczak, RN, Director of Nursing Jeff Meland, M.D., VP, Chief Medical Officer North Valley Health Center Northfield Hospital & Clinics Warren, MN Northfield, MN

Tammy Hayes, RN, Hospital & LTCC Administrator Randy Hemann, M.D., Chief Medical Officer Northfield Hospital & Clinics Olmsted Medical Center Northfield, MN Rochester, MN

Sharon Schneller, RN, Chief Nursing Officer Allan Ross, M.D., Chief Medical Officer Olmsted Medical Center Ortonville Area Health Services Rochester, MN Ortonville, MN

Nicole Lovgren, RN, Director of Nursing Sarah Amendola, RN, Director of Patient Care Ortonville Area Health Services Services/CNO Ortonville, MN Owatonna Hospital Owatonna, MN

Kasey Paulus, RN, Vice President, Patient Care Services Nima Desai, M.D., VP, Medical Affairs & CMO and Chief Nursing Officer Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital St. Louis Park, MN St. Louis Park, MN

Kailey Witt, M.D., Chief of Medical Staff Sonda Tolle, DNP, Vice President Patient Services/CNO Perham Health Perham Health Perham, MN Perham, MN

Jessica Smidt, RN, Director of Nursing Myles Zephier, DO, Chief of Staff Pipestone County Medical Center Pipestone County Medical Center Pipestone, MN Pipestone, MN

Alycia Stotesbery-Athey, RN, Director of Nursing Dustin Sperr, M.D., Chief of Staff - Trauma Services Prairie Ridge Hospital and Health Services Prairie Ridge Hospital and Health Services Elbow Lake, MN Elbow Lake, MN

Mandy Dageford, RN, Chief Nursing Officer Tom Joseph, M.D., Chief Medical Officer PrairieCare Brooklyn Park PrairieCare Brooklyn Park Brooklyn Park, MN Brooklyn Park, MN

Roz Snyder, RN, Chief Nursing Officer Christy Iverson, RN, Director of Patient Care Services, Rainy Lake Medical Center CNO International Falls, MN Regina Hospital Hastings, MN

Melody McKenzie, M.D., Director of Medical Affairs Bret Haake, M.D, Vice President Medical Affairs Regina Hospital Regions Hospital Hastings, MN St. Paul, MN

Chris Boese, RN, VP, Patient Care Services/CNO Elaine Arion, RN, Vice President, Patient Care Services Regions Hospital and CNO St. Paul, MN Ridgeview Medical Center Waconia, MN

Matt Herold, M.D., Vice President Medical Affairs Paula Meskan, CNO, Interim CEO Ridgeview Medical Center River's Edge Hospital & Clinic Waconia, MN St. Peter, MN

April Grunhovd, RN, VP of Patient Care Services/Chief Colin Fennell, M.D., Chief Medical Officer Nursing Officer RiverView Health RiverView Health Crookston, MN Crookston, MN

Carol Velasquez, RN, Interim Chief Nursing Officer David Taylor, M.D., Chief Medical Officer Riverwood Healthcare Center Riverwood Healthcare Center Aitkin, MN Aitkin, MN

Andre Spence, M.D. Stephanie McKnight, RN, Administrator Sanford Bagley Medical Center Sanford Bagley Medical Center Bagley, MN Bagley, MN

David Wilcox, M.D., Vice President Medical Officer, Kelly Hagen, RN, Vice President of Nursing & Clinical Medical Director of Informatics Services Sanford Bemidji Medical Center Sanford Bemidji Medical Center Bemidji, MN Bemidji, MN

Brenda Knutson, RN, Director of Nursing Lindsey Hanson, M.D., Chief Medical Officer Sanford Canby Medical Center Sanford Canby Medical Center Canby, MN Canby, MN

Linda Winkelman, RN, Director of Nursing and Clinical Ronald Kline, D.O., Physician Leader Services Sanford Jackson Medical Center Sanford Jackson Medical Center Jackson, MN Jackson, MN

Nicole Woodley, M.D., Chief of Staff Sheila Westfield, RN, Director of Nursing Sanford Luverne Medical Center Sanford Luverne Medical Center Luverne, MN Luverne, MN

Janell Hudson, RN, Director, Nursing & Clinical Services Mark Yuska, M.D., Chief Medical Officer Sanford Thief River Falls Medical Center Sanford Thief River Falls Medical Center Thief River Falls, MN Thief River Falls, MN

Jeri Schons, RN, Chief Nursing Officer Andrew Kopperud, M.D., Chief Medical Officer Sanford Tracy Medical Center Sanford Westbrook Medical Center Tracy, MN Westbrook, MN

Jane Sabinske, RN, Manager of Nursing Operations Chelsie Falk, RN, Senior Director Sanford Westbrook Medical Center Sanford Wheaton Medical Center Westbrook, MN Wheaton, MN

Patrick Emery, M.D., Chief Medical Officer Gwen Post, MAN, RN, Director of Nursing & Clinical Sanford Wheaton Medical Center Services Wheaton, MN Sanford Worthington Medical Center Worthington, MN

Justin Kane, M.D., Chief Medical Officer Chiloe Kottke, RN, Director of Nursing Sanford Worthington Medical Center Sleepy Eye Medical Center Worthington, MN Sleepy Eye, MN

John Pelzel, M.D. Monte Johnson, M.D., VP Medical Affairs Sleepy Eye Medical Center St. Francis Regional Medical Center Sleepy Eye, MN Shakopee, MN

Sue Miller, RN, Vice President of Patient Care Services Nick Van Deelen, M.D., Vice President Medical Affairs St. Francis Regional Medical Center St. Luke's Shakopee, MN Duluth, MN

Sue Hamel, RN, Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer Jason Huikko, M.D., Chief of Staff St. Luke's Stevens Community Medical Center Duluth, MN Morris, MN

Suzanne Eklund, RN, Quality Director Josie Syverson, M.D. Stevens Community Medical Center Swift County-Benson Health Services Morris, MN Benson, MN

Melissa McGinty-Thompson, MA, Chief Nursing and Benjamin Hess, M.D., Chief Medical Officer Clinical Officer, Co-Administrator Tri-County Health Care Swift County-Benson Health Services Wadena, MN Benson, MN

Thomas Pint, RN, Chief Nursing Officer Alison Peterson, M.D., VP Medical Affairs Tri-County Health Care United Hospital Wadena, MN St. Paul, MN

Janet Pestle, RN, Vice President, Patient Care Melissa Storbeck, RN, Chief Nursing Officer United Hospital United Hospital District St. Paul, MN Blue Earth, MN

Brian Niskanen, M.D., Chief Medical Officer Diane Bankers, RN, Chief Nursing Officer Welia Health Welia Health Mora, MN Mora, MN

Michael Donnenwerth, DPM, Chief Medical Officer Sara Gabrick, RN, COO/CNO Winona Health Services Winona Health Services Winona, MN Winona, MN