NSU Forum Looks At Challenges Facing Health Care

NSU Forum Looks At Challenges Facing Health Care

MUSKOGEE Northeastern State University will explore the challenges facing the health care system at a special forum on the Muskogee campus as part of Inauguration Week Activities for the institutions 17th President Dr. Don Betz.

Regional leaders in health care will discuss educational and professional development needs in emerging health care hubs of Eastern Oklahoma during Health Care Challenges in Eastern Oklahoma on Tuesday, April 28 at 7 p.m. in the Muskogee campus auditorium, 2400 W. Shawnee.

Moderated by Dr. Tim McElroy, dean of the NSU Muskogee campus, the forum will feature panelists Dr. Martin Venneman, dean of the NSU College of Science and Health Professions, Dr. Donnie Nero, president of Connors State College, Thomas Stiles, superintendent of Indian Capital Technology Center, Mark Roberts, president of Muskogee Community Hospital, Melissa Gower, group leader of Cherokee Nation Health Services and Government Relations, Rudy Klopfer, associate director of the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center in Muskogee, and Steve Mahan, chief executive officer for Muskogee Regional Medical Center.

With 36 years of experience in higher education, Dr. Martin Venneman began his career at the University of Texas at Austin in the early 70s. Following his initial involvement in higher education and after six years in private business, he re-entered the academic environment as a professor at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse and served as director of the institutions undergraduate program in microbiology for 18 years. In the 90s, he moved into administrative roles for the College of Science and Allied Health at UW-L and acted as founding executive director of the La Crosse Medical Health Science Consortium. He joined the administrative staff at NSU in 2007 and has become active in addressing health care workforce issues in Oklahoma.

With a career in education spanning nearly 40 years, Dr. Donnie Nero has a passion for higher education. Following stints at Sapulpa Junior High and High School, Nero entered the higher education arena in 1985, accepting a position at Tulsa Community College. Following 15 years at TCC, where he was eventually named Provost, Nero became president of Connors State College in 2000. A member of numerous professional associations and community boards, Nero has received countless awards throughout his career. He earned his bachelors degree in social studies from East Central University, and his masters in educational administration and Ed.D. in occupational and adult education from Oklahoma State University.

Prior to his appointment as superintendent of Indian Capital Technology Center, Thomas Stiles served as superintendent of Fort Gibson, Mannford and Chelsea Public Schools. His career in education has also taken him to various leadership and teaching position in Broken Arrow, Owasso and Sand Springs. He has also served as an OSU extension agent. Stiles maintains membership and affiliations with numerous professional organizations during his career, and has been recognized for his performance and interests in education excellence. He earned both his bachelors and masters degrees from Oklahoma State University, and also holds superintendent and vocational superintendent certificates.

An accomplished businessman, Mark Roberts has owned and managed several businesses prior to being named president of Muskogee Community Hospital. He was involved in the construction of the 2.2 million square foot City of Faith Medical Complex in the late 70s and has been instrumental in the development of Muskogee Community Hospital. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a bachelors in business administration, Roberts has spent his entire adult life in entrepreneurial endeavors.

The recipient of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation Native American Health and Welfare Policy Fellowship, Melissa Gower has spent the past 16 years working for her tribe, the Cherokee Nation. Prior to being named group leader for the Cherokee Nation Health Services Group, she was appointed executive officer in the Office of the Principal Chief in 1999 and was responsible for the operation of strategy, government relations, solutions development and communications. Gower earned her bachelors degree in health care administration from NSU.

Ensuring quality health care services for veterans on a daily basis, Rudy Klopfer works with the medical centers director in overseeing services provided to over 45,000 veterans who live within the 25-county area of eastern Oklahoma. Klopfer has served the Department of Veterans Affairs in 1995, serving in administrative positions across the country before being appointed to the VA Medical Center in Muskogee. After earning a bachelors degree in behavior science and health from the University of Utah, Klopfer received his masters degree in public health and health services administration from San Diego State University. While there, he received board certification as a certified health care executive from the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Assuming the role of Chief Executive Office for Muskogee Regional Medical Center in April 2007, Steve Mahan brought extensive hospital management experience. His previous CEO services have included stints at Vaughan Regional Medical Center in Selma, Ala., and Ocala Regional Medical Center in Ocala, Fla. Some of his early healthcare experience was with the Oklahoma Hospital Association in Tulsa and later as a COO of Saint Francis Healthcare Systems Laureate Clinic and the Warren Clinic. He earned a bachelors in health systems from Georgia Institute of Technology and an MBA from Middle Tennessee State University. He has held senior management positions in facilities owned by HCA, Tenet and LifePoint Hospitals.

Inauguration Week forums begin on Monday, April 27 with Health Care Challenges in Eastern Oklahoma, at NSU Broken Arrow in the Building A Auditorium at 7 p.m. and continue on Wednesday, April 29 with Global Business and Economic Development, at NSU Tahlequah in the NET Building Auditorium at 7 p.m. A Student Community Picnic will be held Thursday, April 30 at 5 p.m. in the Culver Courtyard next to the University Center in Tahlequah.

The week will finish with the inauguration ceremony of Dr. Don Betz as the 17th president of Northeastern State University on Friday, May 1 at 2 p.m. on the Seminary Hall Lawn.

4/22/2009

Published: 2009-04-22 00:00:00