MMA Leadership Election Results are In

September 22, 2022

Laurel Ries, MD, a family physician in St. Paul, has been elected as the MMA’s president-elect. She will assume the role October 1. MMA members voted for officials in August.  

Ries will join the other 2023 officers on the board: Will Nicholson, MD, a family physician and hospitalist in Maplewood, will serve as president (watch Nicholson's inauguration video here); Randy Rice, MD, a family physician in Moose Lake, assumes the role of immediate past president. Kim Tjaden, MD, a family physician in St. Cloud, continues as secretary-treasurer. Edwin Bogonko, MD, a hospitalist in Shakopee, continues to serve as board chair. 

Other election results include: 

  • Melissa Edgar, was elected as the medical student trustee 

  • Dionne Hart, MD, was re-elected as an MMA trustee 

  • Rebecca Thomas, MD, was re-elected as an MMA trustee 

  • Tjaden was re-elected as an MMA trustee 

  • Gaurav Mehta, MBBS, was elected as an MMA trustee 

  • Dennis O’Hare, MD, was elected as an AMA Delegate 

  • David Thorson, MD, was re-elected as an AMA Delegate  

  • George Morris, MD, was elected as an AMA Alternate Delegate  

  • Ashok Patel, MD, was re-elected as an AMA Alternate Delegate 

AMA delegates and alternate delegates take office beginning January 1, 2023. 

Latest News

Federal Budget Bill Will Have Significant Impact on Minnesota Healthcare

July 10, 2025

With the passage of President Trump’s budget bill, many in healthcare are wondering how it will affect the practice of medicine in the United States, and how it will impact the health of Minnesotans. 

Allina Providers Vote to Authorize Strike

July 10, 2025

With an overwhelming 90% vote of support, Allina Health physicians, physicians’ assistants, and nurse practitioners voted to authorize a strike if the members of the Doctors Council – SEIU and Allina cannot reach a deal.  

Equitable Health Care Task Force Seeks Public Comment

July 10, 2025

The Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) Equitable Health Care Task Force is seeking public comment on its draft recommendations for improving health equity across the state.