Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Bradley Bennett, James Birchem, Dr. Kenneth Hughes, Julia Eszlinger-Jensen, Tom Mullon, Kathryn Roberts, Ronald Sanford, H. Michael Tripple, and Diane Windham to the newly formed Veterans Health Care Advisory Council.

The Veterans Health Care Advisory Council was recently created by executive order as a result of a recommendation of the Governor’s Veteran’s Long Term Care Advisory Commission. The council will provide the Department of Veterans Affairs with advice and recommendations on the current and anticipated future needs of veterans. Birchem, Mullon and Roberts served as members of the commission.

Bennett, of Duluth, is an advisory member of the Veterans Administration Hospital in Minneapolis, is the recipient of two Purple Heart awards from serving in Vietnam and hosts a morning radio show, Straight Talk in the Morning, on KDAL-AM radio. He is appointed to a three-year term that expires January 3, 2011.

Birchem, of Little Falls, is a member of the American Legion and president and CEO of Eldercare of Minnesota, which owns four nursing homes and eight assisted living facilities. He is appointed to a three-year term that expires January 3, 2011.

Hughes, of St. Paul, a licensed general physician with experience in orthopedic injuries, elder care, psychiatric aid, and nursing home care. He is a recipient of both the Bronze Star with Valor and Purple Heart awards from the U.S. Army. He is appointed as the clinician member of the council to a two-year term that expires January 4, 2010.

Eszlinger-Jensen, of St. Paul, is a retired colonel with the U.S. Air Force and has extensive experience in both the military and health care field. She is a licensed registered nurse and member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Association of Military Surgeons of the United States and Minnesota Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America. She is the former commander and chief nurse at the 109th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron f the Minnesota Air National Guard, and later Scott Air Force Base in Illinois and Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. She is appointed to a two-year term that expires January 4, 2010.

Mullon, of Eagan, is a member of the American Legion and was formerly the director of the Federal Veterans Administration Medical Center and administrator of the Minneapolis Veterans Home. He has 42 years of experience in the health care industry and is an active member of several veterans organizations. He is appointed to a three-year term that expires January 3, 2011.

Roberts, of Shoreview, will serve as chair of the council. She is president and CEO of Ecumen which employs over 4,000 staff and operates independent and assisted living housing, care centers, home health care and a wide variety of community-based services in 90 communities in the mid-west. Prior to joining Ecumen, Roberts held a number of leadership positions in state government and non-profit organizations. She holds a Ph.D. in educational administration from the University of Minnesota. Roberts is appointed to a four-year term that expires January 2, 2012.

Sanford, of Edina, is chief operating officer of Elim Care, Inc. in Eden Prairie. Elim Care is a faith-based, non-profit corporation serving older adults in Minnesota, North Dakota and Iowa. He has over 20 years of leadership experience in the long-term care and older adult services field. Sanford is appointed to a two-year term that expires January 4, 2010.

Tripple, of St. Paul, has over 30 years experience with health care facilities including nursing homes, home health care agencies, and assisted living facilities. He is familiar with state and federal licensure and certification regulations and worked for a number of years as the division director for the licensure and certifications programs section for the Minnesota Department of Health. He holds a juris doctorate degree from William Mitchell College of Law. Tripple is appointed to a four-year term that expires January 2, 2012.

Windham, of Woodbury, is a management analyst for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. She holds a master of arts degree in clinical psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology in Bloomington and serves as guardian for a resident of the Minneapolis Veterans Home. She is appointed as the public member of the council to a four-year term that expires January 2, 2012.

The council is a nine member advisory group appointed by the Governor, with a mission of providing the Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Affairs with information and professional expertise on any and all aspects of the delivery of quality long term care to veterans. The council will develop a strategic plan for Minnesota veterans homes, provide recommendations to the Department of Veterans Affairs, and advise on clinical performance and quality improvements. The council will also study current issues and trends in the long term care industry.