HIRES AND PROMOTIONS
The National Rural Health Resource Center announced Sally Thomas Buck has assumed the chief executive officer position. Buck has been with the center for 20 years developing technical assistance for rural providers and directing operations. As CEO she will provide leadership and program development for rural health issues at the federal, state and local levels by analyzing rural hospital and State Office of Rural Health needs to develop new programs and enhance current programs. Terry Hill was named executive director of Rural Health Innovations LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Rural Health Resource Center. He also assumed the role of senior adviser for rural health leadership and policy for the center.
Hill was the executive director of the center since its inception in 1987. He directed contracts and grants with the Health Resources and Services Administration's Office of Rural Health Policy, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Veterans Administration, the Federal Communications Commission's Rural Health Corporation, the National Rural Health Association and the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health, and many private foundations including the Blandin Foundation and Northwest Area Foundation.
Range Mental Health Center announced the addition of the following therapists to the outpatient department in Virginia: Tim Walters received his master's degree from Capella University with a major in counseling psychology and a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota Duluth. He has worked in the mental health field for nine years in Duluth and Two Harbors.
Laurel Hillstrom is a national certified counselor and licensed professional clinical counselor and will work as an outpatient therapist. She works with adults who have a mental health, chemical dependence or co-occurring disorder. She holds a dual master's degree in community counseling and forensic psychology from Marymount University.
Essentia Health announced the following hires: Dr. Timothy Esser, an anesthesiologist, joined Essentia Health-St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth. He earned his medical degree from the Sanford School of Medicine at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. He completed a residency in anesthesiology at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., and a fellowship in cardiac anesthesia at Beth Israel-Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Esser is certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties in anesthesiology.
Hannah Murphy joined the nephrology department at Essentia Health-Duluth Clinic in Duluth as a nurse practitioner. Murphy has a bachelor's degree in nursing and a master's degree as a nurse practitioner from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth. She is certified as an adult/gerontological nurse practitioner by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Physician assistant Larissa Hoover joined Essentia Health-St. Mary's Heart and Vascular Center in Duluth. Hoover will care primarily for cardiac patients in the hospital. She has a bachelor's degree in biology from Augsburg College in Minneapolis and a master's degree in physician assistant studies from Des Moines (Iowa) University. She is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Dr. Anna Hatchett, a trauma surgeon, joined Essentia Health-Duluth Clinic. She earned her medical degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. She completed a residency in general surgery at University Hospitals Case Medical Center, also in Cleveland, and a fellowship in surgical critical care at East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C. Hatchett is certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties in surgery and surgical critical care.
Nurse practitioner Molly Backstrom joined the family medicine department at the Essentia Health-Lakeside Clinic in Duluth. Backstrom earned both her bachelor's degree and master's degree in nursing from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth. She is certified as a family nurse practitioner by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
Physician assistant Megan Rose joined the Family Medicine Department at Essentia Health-Hermantown Clinic. Rose earned a bachelor's degree in biomedical science from St. Cloud (Minn.) State University and a master's degree in physician assistant studies from Des Moines University. She is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Dr. Arndt Braaten joined the emergency department at Essentia Health-St. Mary's Hospital-Superior. He also will work occasionally at Essentia's emergency departments in Virginia, Sandstone and Deer River. Previously, Braaten cared for patients as a family medicine physician at Essentia's primary care clinic in Deer River and also has worked in emergency departments in Deer River and Bemidji. Braaten earned his medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine and School of Public Health in Chicago. He completed his family practice residency at the Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago. He is certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties in family medicine.
Divine Destinations in Cloquet announced that Penny Gellatly has joined the travel team as a travel adviser. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
Thibodeau, Johnson and Feriancek, PLLP announced that the Duluth law firm received a Metro Tier 1 Ranking for personal injury defense litigation in the 2014 U.S. News - Best Lawyers' "Best Law Firms." NEW OWNER
Andrea Cartier Black is the new owner of Lillians of Duluth. Black has a master's degree in business administration and a master's degree in management from the College of St. Scholastica. She previously served as chief financial officer of her family's insurance company, Cartier Agency. The Lillians store will feature a renovated retail space and an expanded inventory. CERTIFICATIONS AND ACCREDITATIONS
LHB Inc. recognized the accomplishments of the following employees in the Duluth office: Brian Santori received his professional engineering licensure in Minnesota. Santori joined the pipeline group in 2006 and designs routes, verifies project drawings, reviews projects, specifies materials and assists in project management for clients. He has a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Minnesota Duluth.
Collin Osenroth received his professional engineering licensure in Wisconsin. Osenroth joined LHB in 2012 and brings seven years of experience to the industrial focus. A graduate of Michigan Technological University in Houghton, he holds a bachelor's and master's degree in civil engineering. He is responsible for structural design, analysis and inspection of industrial facilities.
Christopher Miller received his professional engineering licensure in Minnesota. Chris joined the public works/structures group in 2008 and has a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from North Dakota State University in Fargo. He specializes in bridge and retaining wall investigation, design and construction administration.
The Edge Pilates Studio announced Sara Aturaliya, Lynne Bailey, Diane Link and Karen Zimmerman completed the Stott Total Barre Foundation course at the SweatShop Health Club in St. Paul. The Edge Pilates Studio is a fully Stott certified fitness facility and will offer Total Barre classes in early December. BOARD ELECTIONS
LHB Inc. also announced Gayle Taylor was elected the Construction Specifications Institute's Twin Ports chapter president. Taylor was a founding member of the chapter and joined LHB in 1989. She is a senior administrative assistant for the integrated building design team. RELOCATIONS
Shear Katz Salon and Day Spa has relocated to downtown Duluth at 26 E. Superior St. GRAND OPENING/OPEN HOUSE
The Beacon Bar in Hermantown will celebrate its grand reopening on Friday. New owners are completing restoration work and improvements to the business. The Beacon Bar has been closed since May 2012. Biz Buzz is a collection of business news tidbits from around the region. Send your business openings or closings, personnel changes or other news of interest in the business community to Biz Buzz, Duluth News Tribune, 424 W. First St., Duluth, MN 55802, e-mail biz@duluthnews.com , or fax (218) 720-4120. The deadline for submissions is noon Friday.
