Austin Daily Herald

Dianne Mandernach, CEO, Mercy Hospital & Health Care Center, Moose Lake, was one of 25 health care administrators selected from throughout Minnesota to be profiled in the August issue of Minnesota Physician.

Mandernach is a 1960 graduate of Pacelli High School and is the daughter of Dolores Von Feldt of Austin.

A selection committee with representatives from the Minnesota Hospital and Healthcare Partnership, the Minnesota Medical Group Management Association, and the Minnesota Center for Rural Health, among others, reviewed statewide nominations of administrators from hospitals, clinics and health systems of all sizes to make the final selections.

Mandernach has been CEO of Mercy Hospital & Health Care Center for nine years. Under her leadership, Mercy has developed into a continuing care health system with the addition of senior housing, home care and dementia care. In addition, a new surgical program has been developed, including the recruitment of staff and construction of a new, state-of-the-art surgical center. Mandernach has also created a partnership with the local school district to promote young people choosing health careers; secured federal grant funds to develop a rural center of excellence for emergency care; and developed partner partnerships to address mental health needs and share information technology and personnel.

Mandernach's current plans include collaborating with the University of Minnesota to secure grant funds for an academic health education center in Moose Lake; managing a federal outreach grant; developing and implementing a patient safety program.