Contact: Laurie Laker
(c) 612-741-0662
laurie.laker@mnnurses.org
(St. Paul) – April 4, 2025 – With the appointment of Dr. Thomas Klemond as interim CEO of Hennepin Healthcare, the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) is reiterating the need for leadership that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and the safety and well-being of workers and patients alike.
The resignation of former CEO Jennifer DeCubellis followed a resounding vote of “No Confidence” by nurses in November 2023, driven by decisions that increased healthcare costs for workers, undermined labor rights, and eroded essential services. While her departure was a necessary step, the need for leadership that upholds the values of public service and respect for frontline workers remains urgent.
MNA remains committed to working toward a positive, transparent working relationship with HHS leadership. We are eager to engage in a productive dialogue, but it is imperative that the leadership of HHS demonstrate the following:
- A true commitment to worker safety and protections against workplace violence
- Transparency around decision-making, finances, and processes
- Prioritizing worker retention and recruitment to meet patient demand
- Oversight of HHS to be provided directly by the Hennepin County Commissioners
- Respect for the contributions of the nurses and staff who are essential to the success of the hospital.
We urge Hennepin Healthcare’s Board of Directors to prioritize these principles in their search for a permanent CEO. Now is the time to rebuild trust and create a system that values both its workers and its patients. Nurses are ready to collaborate with leadership to ensure Hennepin Healthcare remains a pillar of community health, but that can only happen if the leadership is willing to prioritize the needs of workers and patients over corporate-driven goals.
HHS Tri-Chairs
Janell Johnson Thiele, RN
Jeremy Olson-Ehlert, RN
Mariah Tunkara, RN
