Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Jode Freyholtz, Dr. Jeffrey Hardwig, and Senator Yvonne Prettner-Solon, and the reappointment of Dr. Raymond Christensen, Thomas Crowley, Diane Muckenhirn, Nancy Stratman, and Senator Betsy Wergin to the Rural Health Advisory Committee (RHAC). With the exception of Senator Solon, who is filling an unscheduled vacancy, all are appointed to four-year terms that expire January 2, 2012.

Freyholtz, of Verndale, works for the Minnesota Consumer Survivor Network as an educator and advocate for persons with mental health issues in rural Minnesota. She is appointed as a consumer member and replaces LaVonne Schlieman on the committee.

Hardwig, of International Falls, works as a staff physician in psychiatry at the Duluth Clinic and as a contract psychiatrist for Falls Medical Center in International Falls. He is board certified in psychiatry and neurology. Hardwig is the president of the Minnesota Psychiatric Society and a member of the American Psychiatric Association. He earned his degree in medicine at the Mayo Medical School in Rochester and his bachelor of science degree in biology from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Hardwig is appointed as the physician member and replaces Dr. Darrell Carter on the committee.

Prettner-Solon, of Duluth, is a clinical psychologist who is serving her third term in the Minnesota State Senate from District 7. She serves on a number of committees and chairs the Senate Capitol Investment Committee. She is appointed as a majority member of the Minnesota State Senate to fulfill a four-year term that expires January 3, 2011. She replaces Senator Jim Vickerman on the committee.

Christensen, of Duluth, is the assistant dean for rural health at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine in Duluth. He also works as a family practice physician at Gateway Family Health Clinic in Moose Lake. Christensen is board certified by the American Board of Family Practice and is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. He is licensed to practice in both Minnesota and Wisconsin. Christensen is reappointed to fill the seat for a representative of a higher education institution providing training for rural health care practitioners.

Crowley, of Kellogg, is the president and CEO of St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Wabasha. He joined the organization in 1971 as the director of finance and served as an administrator before being named CEO in 1984. Crowley is responsible for acute and long term care, the administration of the facility, strategic planning, new programs and service development. He holds a master of arts degree in health care administration from St. Mary’s College in Winona and a master of business administration from the University of St. Thomas. Crowley is reappointed as hospital representative on the committee.

Stratman, of Willmar, is administrator of Rice Care Center, a long term care facility in Willmar. She is a licensed nursing home administrator and holds a master of science degree in management from Southwest State University in Marshall. Stratman has worked in long term care since 1976 in greater Minnesota and North Dakota. She is reappointed as the representative of nursing homes on the committee.

Muckenhirn, of Hutchinson, is the current chair of the RHAC. She is a nurse practitioner at Hutchinson Medical Center where her practice focuses on women's health. Muckenhirn holds a master of science degree in nursing from Minnesota State University-Mankato. She is a frequent speaker for community classes and continuing education for nurses. Muckenhirn is reappointed as the midlevel practitioner member on the committee.

Wergin, of Princeton, is State Senator for District 16, which includes all of Mille Lacs County and parts of Benton, Morrison, and Sherburne Counties. Prior to her election to the Senate in 2002, Wergin spent six years as a Baldwin Township officer and eight years as a Sherburne County Commissioner. While a County Commissioner, she served on the Central Minnesota Emergency Medical Services Council. Wergin is reappointed as the minority member of the Minnesota State Senate.

The Rural Health Advisory Committee advises the Commissioner of Health and other state agencies on rural health issues. It consists of 15 members appointed by the Governor.