Carrie Michalski, president and CEO of RiverView Health, was recently honored with the Spirit of Advocacy Award by the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA).
The award honors an MHA member who has provided leadership within their organization or for MHA and served in key roles with the MHA governance structure during the year. Judging is based on
- Demonstrated leadership in MHA’s governance structure, committees, or work groups.
- Grassroots advocacy efforts in their facility or community to benefit Minnesota’s hospitals or health systems.
- Demonstrated leadership at the community level in the promotion of healthcare issues.
In the nomination, Michalski is described as a “tireless advocate,” providing testimony at the Minnesota State Capitol and playing a key role in guiding MHA’s Directed Payment Program (DPP) legislation to successful passage in 2025. (DPP secures additional federal Medicaid funding for Minnesota hospitals to help offset chronic Medicaid underpayments.)
During the MHA Annual Meeting, Michalski was thanked for working closely with legislators and opinion leaders to ensure they understand the challenges hospitals are facing and for cultivating strong relationships with her local lawmakers.
“Advocacy work is so important to ensure quality of life and public policies that support the health and well-being of the communities we serve,” Michalski stated. “My advocacy work is largely focused on health policy, but whatever your passion and expertise is, it’s important that we participate in government and policymaking. Elected officials represent each of us, and we need to invest the time to ensure they are aware of opportunities and challenges, and where public policy can play a role in elevating the quality of life for the citizens they represent. Advocacy takes a village and consistent effort and it has been very gratifying to work amongst my colleagues and the staff of the Minnesota Hospital Association to improve access to care for the patients we all serve.”
Michalski has been with RiverView Health for 31 years and has served as president and CEO since April 2013.