Commissioners to Vote on Hennepin Healthcare Board Shake-Up
Hennepin Healthcare Board Chair Mohamed Omar and Vice Chair Thomas Adams are opposing proposed governance changes that would replace the hospital’s diverse, community-rooted board with political appointees. Ahead of the August 12 vote, they warn the move threatens patient care and undermines community representation.
Critics call the proposal a betrayal and risk to patient care
In a recent press conference on August 4, Mohamed Omar, chair of the Hennepin Healthcare Board, and Thomas Adams, vice chair, made a strong case against proposed changes to the hospital’s governance structure that would strip power from a diverse, community-rooted board in favor of political appointees.
The proposed changes, which are scheduled for a vote by the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners on August 12, have caused significant concern among board members and community advocates, particularly due to the speed with which the decision is being made and the lack of community input.
Less than a year ago, Mohamed Omar made history by becoming the first Somali American to serve as the chair of the Hennepin Healthcare Board. This was a monumental achievement for both him personally and for the hospital, which serves a diverse and vulnerable patient population.
Under Omar’s leadership, the board was intentionally designed to reflect the demographics of the community it serves, with 60% of its members being people of color.
Omar shared his pride in this milestone: “This is what progress looks like,” he said, acknowledging the historical significance of a board that represents the diverse populations that rely on Hennepin Healthcare. “We have the most diverse patient population, and we are proud of that.”
However, the board is now facing a direct threat to its composition. Omar explained that the proposed governance changes are not about improving patient care but about consolidating control.
“This is not about care. This is about control,” he stated firmly. He emphasized that the current board is not paid for their service but instead works as volunteers committed to ensuring the hospital’s success and equity in patient care.
A central point of contention in the debate is the financial crisis facing Hennepin Healthcare. As the safety-net hospital for the region, HCMC serves a large portion of uninsured and underinsured patients, placing a financial burden on the institution.
However, Omar and Adams were clear that this crisis is not the result of mismanagement, as some have claimed, but rather the direct consequence of the hospital’s commitment to providing care to all, regardless of their ability to pay.
“It’s because we take care of patients that don’t have insurance or are underinsured. That’s why we are in financial trouble.”
Adams echoed this sentiment, criticizing the proposed removal of the board members as a political move rather than a solution to the financial challenges: “Replacing a board like this with political appointees is not just a misstep, it’s a risk for patient care. It opens the door to politicized health care,” he explained.
Adams also expressed his frustration over the irony of the situation. Just months ago, the Hennepin County Commissioners publicly praised the board for reflecting the communities it serves. Now, that same board is under threat, and Adams described the potential dismantling of the board as a betrayal of the process and the communities it represents.
“This board was formed through a transparent and democratic process,” Adams said. “To dissolve it without cause is disappointing and a betrayal.”
Board members Mauricio Montes de Oca (l) and Tykia Hess Credit: Jasmine McBride/MSR
For board members, particularly those from communities of color, the issue goes beyond health care — it’s about representation and community trust. Mauricio Montes de Oca, a member of the board, stressed the importance of ensuring that the Latino community’s needs are heard.
“We need to do better for our community,” she said. “We need better language access and more equitable health care opportunities.”
The board members made a strong call for the public’s involvement in the upcoming Hennepin County Public Hearing. They urged people to attend and voice their opposition to the dismantling of the board, emphasizing that the issue is not governance but financial support.
“We need every stakeholder at the table — county, state, federal, and philanthropic partners — to help solve this crisis,” Omar said, adding, “We cannot fix this by removing the very people who are here to represent the community.”
Adams emphasized the importance of collaboration rather than division, saying, “This is not a time for a power grab. It’s a time for partnership.”
As the August 12 vote approaches, the board members are calling for a thoughtful, transparent process that listens to the people who will be most affected by these decisions. “Silencing the community’s voice does nothing,” Montes de Oca warned, underscoring the deep consequences of removing diverse representation from the board.
The board members concluded the press conference emphasizing that they are not looking for personal gain but are fighting for the future of the hospital and the communities it serves. “We are not here to make more money,” said Montes de Oca. “We are here because we care about the patients.”
The call to action is clear: Public health is at stake and it is crucial that the community, regardless of political interests, unites to ensure that Hennepin Healthcare remains a hospital that truly serves the people.
Omar encouraged the public to write to their local commissioners, elected officials, and community leaders, urging them to preserve this board and work collaboratively to address the hospital’s financial challenges.
Jasmine McBride welcomes reader responses at jmcbride@spokesman-recorder.com.