ST. PAUL, MN - Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the following appointments to the African American State Health Advisory Council, Board of Medical Practice, Board of Occupational Therapy Practice, Board on Aging, Governor’s Interagency Coordinator Committee on Early Childhood Intervention, and the State Rehabilitation Council.??

Abdou Manjang - Otsego, MN
African American State Health Advisory Council
Member
Effective: September 25, 2024
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
New Seat

About the African American State Health Advisory Council:
The African American Health State Advisory Council advises the commissioner of health on issues to develop specific, targeted policy solutions to improve the health of African American Minnesotans, with a focus on United States-born African Americans.

Additional information about the African American State Health Advisory Council can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Julie Pazdernik - Detroit Lakes, MN
Board of Medical Practice
Physician
Effective: September 25, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Replacing: Cybill Oragwu
About the Board of Medical Practice:

The board licenses and registers physicians, physician assistants, respiratory therapists, acupuncturists, athletic trainers, genetic counselors, naturopathic doctors, and traditional midwives and enforces the relevant practice acts.

Additional information about the Board of Medical Practice can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Christine Hoepner - Buffalo, MN
Board of Occupational Therapy Practice
Public Member
Effective: September 25, 2024
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
Replacing: Katelyn Bills

About the Board of Occupational Therapy:
The Board of Occupational Therapy protects the public through effective licensure and enforcement of the statutes and rules governing the practice of occupational therapy to ensure a reasonable standard of competent and ethical practice.

Additional information about the Board of Occupational Therapy can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Linda Giersdorf - Mankato, MN
Board on Aging
Member
Effective: September 25, 2024
Term Expires: January 6, 2025
Replacing: Stephanie Klinzing

About the Board on Aging:
The Board on Aging develops, coordinates, evaluates, and administers federal and state funds for programs for the aging; makes grants to seven area agencies on aging and nonprofit agencies; and serves as advocate for older persons.

Additional information about the Board on Aging can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Anne Bolstad - Cottage Grove, MN
Governor's Interagency Coordinator Committee on Early Childhood Intervention
Service Provider Member for Children with Disabilities Under 5
Effective: September 25, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Replacing: Jennifer Kruger

Teya Dahle - Waseca, MN
Governor's Interagency Coordinator Committee on Early Childhood Intervention
Department of Human Services Representative
Effective: September 25, 2024
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
Replacing: Charlotte McDonald

Danielle Hayden - Hugo, MN
Governor's Interagency Coordinator Committee on Early Childhood Intervention
Department of Children, Youth, and Families Representative
Effective: September 25, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
New Seat

Kim Hicks - Rochester, MN
Governor's Interagency Coordinator Committee on Early Childhood Intervention
House of Representatives Member
Effective: September 25, 2024
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
Replacing: Laurie Pryor

Michele Kvikstad - Mendota Heights, MN
Governor's Interagency Coordinator Committee on Early Childhood Intervention
Department of Health Representative
Effective: September 25, 2024
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
Replacing: Sarah Dunne

Angie Laschinger - Minneapolis, MN
Governor's Interagency Coordinator Committee on Early Childhood Intervention
Department of Commerce Representative
Effective: September 25, 2024
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
Replacing: Katherine Blauvelt

Tina McKenzie Fredrickson - Makinen, MN
Governor's Interagency Coordinator Committee on Early Childhood Intervention
Special Education Director for Children with Disabilities
Effective: September 25, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Replacing: Jessica Cook

Jyoti Wadhwa - Minneapolis, MN
Governor's Interagency Coordinator Committee on Early Childhood Intervention
State Coordinator of Homeless Education
Effective: September 25, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Replacing: Roberto Reyes

About the Governor’s Interagency Coordinator Committee on Early Childhood Intervention:
The council recommends policies to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated system of all state and local agency services for children under age five with disabilities and their families. The policies must address how to incorporate each agency's services into a unified system to find children in need of services, methods to improve public awareness, and assistance in determining the role of interagency early intervention committees.

Additional information about the Governor’s Interagency Coordinator Committee on Early Childhood Intervention can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Anisa Ali - Columbia Heights, MN
State Rehabilitation Council
Disability Advocacy Groups Representative
Effective: September 25, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Replacing: Jillian Nelson

Jenna Askevold - Mankato, MN
State Rehabilitation Council
Community Rehabilitation Program Provider Representative
Effective: September 25, 2024
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
Replacing: Lisa Parteh

Daren Howard - Saint Paul, MN
State Rehabilitation Council
Disability Advocacy Groups Representative
Effective: September 25, 2024
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
Replacing: Rebecca Puchtel

About the State Rehabilitation Council:
The State Rehabilitation Council is responsible for advising the state government on the performance of Minnesota's vocational rehabilitation programs. The council helps prepare the state plan for vocational rehabilitation services; reviews and analyzes the effectiveness of, and consumer satisfaction with, vocational rehabilitation services; conducts needs assessments; reports to the Governor and the U.S. Department of Education on the status of vocational rehabilitation programs; coordinates activities with other state councils with interest in the issues pertaining to disability and employment; and holds hearings and forums necessary to carry out the council's duties.

Additional information about the State Rehabilitation Council can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

The Governor and Lieutenant Governor are seeking qualified and diverse individuals who are passionate about using their knowledge, skills, and lived experiences to serve the state of Minnesota. A list of boards and commissions, including open positions, can be found on the? Minnesota Secretary of State’s website.