For what is believed to be the first time in the history of Crow Wing County, a Minnesota health commissioner visited the county's health department.
Dr. Sanne Magnan on Monday attended a conference on emergency management in Breezy Point, followed by visits with staffers at St. Joseph's Medical Center and with personnel at the health department.
Magnan said she wants to visit as many local health departments as possible to see how the departments are run and what the department may need from the state.
"As the commissioner of health it's good for me, now that the Legislature is done, to get out and about and hear at a grass-roots level what's going on," Magnan said.
Dr. Sanne Magnan
Local health officials also were able to convey their concerns and needs, said Gwen Anderson, Crow Wing County public health manager. Issues discussed Monday included Minnesota's new health care reform law, health care implementation and comparisons between rural and metro health care.
Anderson said Magnan was receptive, jotting down notes and offering comments.
"That says a lot," Anderson said. "Otherwise it's just a concept."
Magnan touched on several subjects during her visit: Gov. Tim Pawlenty's health care reform legislation signed into law in May, the need for emergency preparedness at local and state levels, funding health programs and the need for medical providers and public health officials to connect to best serve area residents.
"By creating the right relationships and having people get out of their normal boxes, we can solve a lot of problems that we will have now and into the future," Magnan said.
MATT ERICKSON maybe reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.
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