As Fall begins to unfold, we are happy to report that the past year for the TRUST has been a success! Our board had a number of key accomplishments which we believe, will position our organization for success in the coming years.

Through Michele Fedderly’s initiative as Treasurer, we established a finance committee to oversee and advise the board of directors to ensure future financial viability for the TRUST. The Board and the Forum committee were committed to creating a stronger bottom line for the TRUST’s future. Karen Ekberg contributed through increased efforts in streamlining costs for educational events. Thanks to the leadership from Terri Hyduke and Kaye Foley, the Forum committee was very successful in raising funds from all of our generous sponsors.

With reassurance of a solid margin for operating, we revisited and clarified our mission for purposes of strategic planning. Jan Cronquist and Nancy Rehkamp, provided invaluable guidance and support for the Board in the strategic planning process.

In May, we had one of the TRUST’s most successful Forum events with Anne Fadiman, author of The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down. It was a perfect Minnesota Spring afternoon with over 150 attendees. Anne’s articulate and engaging presentation was filled with humor and profound insights related to the cross cultural clashes in today’s healthcare system. Anne’s powerful and moving story provided thought provoking ideas for improving healthcare in our community.

In June, we had a delightful 25 Year Anniversary Celebration for the TRUST at the Macalaster House on Summit Avenue. Over fifty members attended and enjoyed a lovely afternoon together. We recognized many of our members, old and new, with words of praise and small gifts of recognition. One of our original TRUST Presidents, Pat Harger, came from out of town and added her historical and humorous perspective on the early days of the TRUST. We celebrated this year’s Jean Harris Award recipient, Mary Brainerd, CEO of Health Partners, as outstanding member of the TRUST. Mary inspired us with her memories of our past member, Jean Harris, as well as her personal reflections for the future of healthcare in our community. We capped off the afternoon by transitioning leadership of the TRUST for the coming year and celebrating with a bit of bubbly toasting the past, present, and future success of the TRUST!

For me personally, it has been both a delight and an honor to be President of the TRUST this past year. I want to express my gratitude to our past leaders as they have all contributed to creating the legacy of the TRUST. We have the privilege of participating as members of a dynamic and powerful group of women leading healthcare in our community. I am very happy to extend the ‘heart of leadership’ of the TRUST to our new President, Kaye Foley, a very strong, well respected and much loved leader of healthcare in our community who will share some of her thoughts about the TRUST…

I’d like to start by thanking Lynn and the rest of the 2004-2005 Board members for their solid dedication to making the TRUST the best that it can be. Lynn has laid a strong foundation for the TRUST and we can all thank her for her hard work. She has made it easy for me to take the helm of this great organization. I’d like to say that our work for this year is to continue to develop and strengthen our legacy. The next 25 years will be ones of great change and challenges in healthcare. By creating this organization’s ability to provide networking and skill development for our members, the women in leadership roles in this industry will be prepared to meet these challenges.

In August, we had our annual Boat Cruise on Lake Minnetonka. Everyone who attended talked about this event being one of our favorites. Although we were challenged by some interesting weather early in the day, the skies cleared and we were able to view the most fabulous sunset on the lake. I hope all of you will try very hard to get to this event in 2006. It is a wonderful opportunity to mingle, meet new colleagues and enjoy the wonderful Minnesota summer season.

I would like to encourage each and every one of you to look for ways that you can become more engaged in the TRUST. The program and event committees work hard to bring you opportunities to learn, grow, develop and become more connected. Please do your best to attend these great offerings. I am planning to call one of you each week, who I don’t know very well, just to get acquainted. I look forward to the months ahead.

Please feel free to call me with ideas or suggestions. Enjoy this wonderful time of the year.

Our Best Regards,

Lynn Rekvig, Past President
Kaye Foley, President