French River 1 Room

There is a growing health care workforce shortage across the country and, in rural areas, the loss of even a single professional can impact health care delivery. Health care organizations must pay close attention to factors influencing employee retention. Employers working to retain staff must take into account the interactions of multi-generations in their workforce. This breakout will provide an overview of the characteristics of each generation as well as highlight the contributions they each offer to an organization. A panel of health care providers from four generations will share their values, work styles and preferences. Minimizing intergenerational conflict will improve workforce collaboration and productivity and promote a healthy organizational culture.

Angie LaFlamme

Angie LaFlamme

Program Specialist
National Rural Health Resource Center
Angie LaFlamme joined The National Rural Health Resource Center in 1996 and has 20+ years’ experience in health care workforce. Angie administered the former Minnesota Web Recruitment service for rural/underserved Minnesota clinics and hospitals, delivered education to Minnesota physician residents, medical and advanced practice provider students, and provided recruitment and retention technical assistance to rural Minnesota clinics/hospitals. Currently, she provides education, coaching, and technical assistance to rural health networks on health care workforce and network evaluation, and facilitates educational events to support successful program outcomes and network sustainability.

Greg Ruberg

President/CEO
Lake View Hospital

Greg Ruberg is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Lake View Hospital in Two Harbors and the Vice President of St. Luke’s Hospital. He has a Master of Business Administration and Master of Arts in Physical Therapy from the College of St. Scholastica. Greg is the current Region 2 board member and past Region 2 chair for the Minnesota Hospital Association, and board chair of the Two Harbors Federal Credit Union. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Picture of Lynn Folsted

Lynn Folsted, PT BA

Owner and CEO
Lake Area Therapy Services, LLC

Lynn is the Chief Executive Officer and owner at Lake Area Therapy Services in Moose Lake, Minnesota. She is a 1980 graduate of the College of St Scholastica with a BA in Physical Therapy. Lynn has worked in the rural health setting for 39 years, 30 as the Director of Rehabilitation Services at Mercy Hospital in Moose Lake. In 2010, she established her private practice therapy company. Lynn has been an advocate for rural health throughout her career and considers it a specialty treating across the lifetime spectrum.

Jayna Swartout

CNA
Villa Vista

Jayna Swartout is 18 years old and has worked as a Personal Care Assistant (PCA) for about six months and a Certified Nursing Assistant for two months. Jayna is currently in school pursuing a Licensed Practical Nurse degree and plans to continue on to become a Registered Nurse. Jayna decided to go into nursing after working as a PCA for six months in an assisted living facility, and is excited to share her experiences with anyone who would like to listen!

Picture of Emily Nicholson

Emily Nicholson, MPAS, PA-C

Physician Assistant
Essentia Health International Falls Clinic
Emily Nicholson grew up in International Falls and works as a Physician Assistant (PA) in her home community. She precepts PA/NP students, is the Transition to Practice Co-Lead for the East Region, and serves on the Essentia APRN/PA Council. She has a Master's degree in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Bachelor's degree from the College of St. Scholastica. Emily has a passion for rural health care and worked for the National Rural Health Resource Center in Duluth prior to becoming a PA.