Our Leadership
We all believe—as healthcare professionals, and as individuals with our own personal stories and experiences—that helping improve communication between a clinician and a patient can only lead to better healthcare outcomes for everyone involved.
The Center’s Leadership:
Janet Silversmith, CEO, Minnesota Medical Association
Janet Silversmith is the CEO of the Minnesota Medical Association. Prior to her appointment as CEO, she served as the MMA’s Director of Health Policy. In that position she was responsible for providing leadership for MMA advocacy strategy as well as the analysis and development of MMA policy. She has over 25 years of experience in health policy. She previously conducted research on American Indian/Alaska Native health disparities and worked for the Minnesota Senate. She holds a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs.
Rahul Koranne, MD, CEO, Minnesota Hospital Association
Rahul Koranne, M.D., MBA, FACP, is president and CEO of the Minnesota Hospital Association. Dr. Koranne joined MHA in 2015 as SVP of clinical affairs/CMO and was named president and CEO in 2020. Before joining MHA, Dr. Koranne was a VP with HealthEast Care System. From 2000 to 2005, he served as a primary care physician at the state’s smallest critical access hospital in Starbuck, Minnesota. Dr. Koranne received his MBA from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management in 2008. He earned his medical degree at the University of Delhi in India, completed his residency in internal medicine at the State University of New York, Brooklyn, and completed his fellowship in geriatrics at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Koranne is active in the community and currently serves on the Minnesota Zoo Board of Directors.
Lori Brostrom, MBA, Executive Director, Center for Advancing Serious Illness Communication
Lori Brostrom serves as executive director of the Center for Advancing Serious Illness Communication. Before joining the Center, Lori has held multiple senior leadership roles in organizations across healthcare, technology and education sectors in program and product development roles, including starting a division focusing on physician wellness for a company in the mental and behavioral wellness sector, serving state and national healthcare organizations. She holds an MBA degree in Marketing and Finance from Washington University in St. Louis.
There is much wisdom to be gained from those who have been working directly with patients as end of life approaches. We are pleased to tap the knowledge of physicians from around the state who are engaged in this work, sharing their expertise and helping us in our cause.
Our Advisory Council Members:
Julie Benson, MD, FAAFP, Family Medicine, Medical Director Hospice & Palliative Care, Medical Director Senior Services, Lakewood Health System, Staples, MN
Elise C. Carey, MD, FAAHPM, FACP; Consultant and Associate Professor of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine; Vice-Chair for Faculty Development, Division of Community Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, & Palliative Care; Education & Faculty Development Chair, Palliative Medicine Specialty Council, Mayo Clinic Enterprise; Chair, Serious Illness Care Program, A Midwest Quality Subcommittee Stewardship Program; Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
David Flemig, MD, Staff Physician, Palliative Medicine, Hennepin Health, Minneapolis, MN
Dean Fox, MD, System Ethics Council Chair, Patient Flow Center Medical Director, Essentia Health, Duluth, MN
Patrick Herson, MD, MS, Medical Director, Palliative Care Service Line, M Health Fairview, Minneapolis, MN
Terry Maag, MD, Division Medical Director, Home and Community Services, HealthPartners, Minneapolis, MN
Vic Sandler, MD, Geriatrician, Hospice and Palliative Medicine Specialist, HealthPartners Hospice, Minneapolis, MN
Glen Varns, MD, HMDC, Medical Director of Hospice and Palliative Care, Allina Health, Minneapolis, MN
Jennifer Welsh, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Genevive, Minneapolis, MN