Dr. Ken Holmen and Brandon Sawalich will add unique perspectives to the association’s broad healthcare sector leadership
Medical Alley (April 13, 2020) – The Medical Alley Association is proud to announce that, following a unanimous vote by the Medical Alley Association Board of Directors, Dr. Ken Holmen, President & CEO of CentraCare and Brandon Sawalich, President of Starkey Hearing Technologies, have joined the Medical Alley Board, effective immediately.
“As one of the largest health systems in Minnesota, focused on the Greater Minnesota population, CentraCare brings a new voice to the Medical Alley efforts to transform healthcare as we know it,” said Shaye Mandle, President and CEO of Medical Alley. “CentraCare’s expertise in expanding and extending care delivers unique insights into the needs and implementation challenges of new digital and telehealth solutions, including the current alignment of payment and incentives. We look forward to tapping Ken’s expertise as we explore this new frontier in healthcare.”
“The Medical Alley has a worldwide reputation as The Global Epicenter of Health Innovation and Care™. As the leader of CentraCare, a regional health care delivery organization, it is a privilege to join the Medical Alley Board as all of us – members and leaders – indeed look to innovate and care for our customers, patients, and communities, said Dr. Ken Holmen, President and CEO of CentraCare.
“As a global leader in hearing innovation, Starkey has redefined the hearing aid as we know it,” said Mandle. “In 2018, Starkey became the first company in history to incorporate artificial intelligence and integrated sensors into a hearing aid. This new technology is unlocking the ear’s ability to be a source of valuable information about a person’s overall health and wellness. We look forward to tapping Brandon’s expertise as we explore this new frontier in healthcare.”
“I’m humbled and honored by this opportunity to serve on the Medical Alley Board of Directors,” said Starkey President Brandon Sawalich. “Together, we find ourselves at the intersection of health care and technology. It is rewarding to share the wealth of knowledge we’ve accumulated here at Starkey with an organization that is pushing the MedTech industry in the right direction. We push ourselves every day to keep innovating, and our partnership with Medical Alley only motivates us to always be doing more.”
Holmen and Sawalich’s new roles on the Medical Alley board of directors are effective immediately.
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About CentraCare
CentraCare is a not-for-profit health system that includes eight hospitals, seven long term care facilities, 30 clinics and specialty centers in Central, Southwest and West Central MN and a Family Practice Residency Program affiliated with the University of MN. CentraCare is a national leader in providing quality health care, while simultaneously collaborating with community partners to improve community health and wellness. Learn more at centracare.com.
About Starkey
Starkey is a privately held, global hearing technology company headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Founded by Bill Austin in 1967, Starkey is known for its innovative design, development and distribution of comprehensive digital hearing systems. Led today by President Brandon Sawalich, Starkey is the only American-owned provider of hearing technologies. The company has more than 6,000 employees, operates 26+ facilities and does business in more than 100 markets worldwide. Learn more at starkey.com.
About The Medical Alley Association
Founded in 1984, the Medical Alley Association supports and advances the global leadership of Medical Alley’s healthcare industry, and its connectivity around the world. MAA delivers the collective influence, intelligence and interactions that support Medical Alley.
