5 Physicians to Sit on Governor’s U of MN Task Force

September 28, 2023

Five physicians have been chosen to be part of a new governor-appointed task force that will develop recommendations to support the University of Minnesota’s Health Sciences Programs. 

The physicians on the task force, to be led by former health commissioner Jan Malcolm, will include: 

• David Herman, MD, CEO of Essentia Health and MMA member 

• Julia Joseph-Di Caprio, MD, MPH, president and founder of Leap Pediatric and Adolescent Care and MMA member 

• Jakub Tolar, MD, PhD, University of Minnesota Medical School dean and MMA member 

• Penny Wheeler, MD, former Allina Health CEO 

• Meghan Walsh, MD, MPH, a hospitalist from Hennepin Healthcare 

“The University of Minnesota’s Health Sciences Programs provide critical education, training, and research to support the next generation of healthcare professionals and provide high-quality care for Minnesotans,” Walz said. “I am calling together this group of leaders and healthcare experts to work to ensure that the future of Minnesota’s academic health remains strong.”  

The task force will develop recommendations to support world-class academic health professions education, research, and care delivery by the Health Sciences Programs that advance equity, center primary care, and ensure that Minnesotans can continue to receive the highest-quality care in a financially sustainable way.   

“The MMA applauds Gov. Walz’s plan to create a task force to develop recommendations that will maintain the University of Minnesota’s essential role in health professional education and training in the state,” said MMA President Will Nicholson, MD. “The task force’s focus on improving health equity, elevating primary care, and ensuring statewide access to care reflect important priorities. The current healthcare workforce is strained, and projections suggest significant shortages of physicians and other providers in the future. A strong and reliable healthcare workforce pipeline, including at the state’s largest educational institution, is essential.”  

The task force will provide a summary of its recommendations to the governor in January 2024.