About MPHC

4 diverse individuals smiling with arms around eachother

Shaping the Future

The Foundation for a Healthy North Dakota, American Heart Association, and North Dakota Health & Human Services teamed up on June 10, 2024 to launch a new health collaborative that builds bridges for a healthier North Dakota. In July 2025, StrengthenND joined the initiative. The Multi-Partner Health Collaborative (MPHC) advocates for sustainable resources and increasing access to options that foster health and wellness throughout the state with the vision of North Dakota becoming the healthiest state in the nation.

Why does MPHC matter to my family and me?

Based on the North Dakota State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP), the America’s Health Rankings is one of the data sets the MPHC uses to measure impact:

North Dakota dropped from 14th to 15th in 2025
Top 10 Factors which attributed to the back step:

Premature death racial disparity
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Excessive drinking
Occupational fatalities
High speed internet
Climate Policies
Obesity
Fruit & vegetable consumption
Fourth grade reading proficiency
Smoking

It Takes a Village

Behind the MPHC is a dedicated network of leaders, strategists, and advocates united by a single vision: to become the healthiest state in the nation. Together, the Steering Committee, Executive Leadership, and Support Team work in tandem to champion sustainable resources and expand health and wellness access across communities. Meet the people driving the strategy, execution, and daily passion behind the state’s wellness transformation.

MPHC Steering Committee

MPHC Support Team

MPHC Executive Leadership

MPHC Bylaws

Consensus Based Decision Making Model

A consensus-based decision-making model is a process in which all participants contribute to discussions and agree on a final decision, aiming for broad acceptance rather than simple majority rule. The goal is not unanimity of opinion, but a solution that everyone can live with and support.

Goal Groups

The MPHC’s core consists of Goal Groups that address SHIP priorities: Strengthening Workforce, Cultivating Wellness, Expanding Access & Connection and Building Community Resilience. The Steering Committee oversees these groups, and the Executive Leadership team guides them.

Meet the MPHC Steering Committee

The MPHC steering committee synergizes with community members to transform the health and community wellness of all North Dakotans. The members guide and support the four goal groups, ensuring their effectiveness and alignment with the mission, vision, purpose and values of the MPHC. They do this by collaborating with community members, non-profit organizations, non-government organizations, health care systems, businesses and governmental agencies to equitably enhance the health of all North Dakotans.

Carlos D. Miranda, M.D

Chair of MPHC

Pediatric Cardiologist, Sanford Health

Sherry Adams

ND State Health Officer and Executive Director, Southwestern District Health Unit

Anthony Bauer

Deputy Director of the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission

Tim Blasl

President, North Dakota Hospital Association

Susan Elsbernd

Small Business Owner & Registered Nurse, Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI)

Melanie Gaebe

Founder, Shift Happens Consulting

Sara Hanson

Director of Population Health, BCBSND Health Integration

Nathaniel Johnson

Assistant Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of North Dakota

Courtney Koebele

Executive Director, North Dakota Medical Association

Katie Leitch

Homeland Security

Candace Muggerud

CEO, KAT & Company

Janna Pastir

Deputy Director Workforce Development, ND Department of Commerce

Taylor Syvertson

Director of Community Impact, United Way of Cass-Clay

Nicole Threadgold

UND CRH

Marnie Walth

Head of Legislative Affairs, Sanford Health and Member of the N.D. Professional Health Program Board, Face It Together Board, and Capital Credit Union Board

Dirk Wilke

Executive Director Public Health, North Dakota Health and Human Services

Ann Fritz

Vice Chair of MPHC
Environmental Justice & Nondiscrimination Program Manager, ND Environmental Quality

Shannon Bacon

Director of Equity & External Affairs, Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas

Pat Bertagnolli

Executive Director, Job Service of North Dakota

Amber Blomberg

Executive Director, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota Caring Foundation

Donene Feist

Director, Family Voices of North Dakota

Dr. Nevin Gillis

IHS, Spirit Lake

Molly Howell

Immunization Unit Director and Assistant Director of Disease Control & Forensic Pathology, ND Health and Human Services

Kristin Knorr

Creating Community Consulting

Suzanne Kramer-Brenna

Project Director, North Dakota Domestic & Sexual Violence Coalition

Stewart Milakovic

ND Dept of Transportation

Tori Ngatia

Mental Health Therapist, We Thrive Counseling

Mark Strand, Ph.D.

Professor & Member of ND State Health Council, Pharmacy Practice & NDSU Dept. of Public Health

Art Thompson

Director, Workforce Safety and Insurance (WSI)

Kayla Ver Helst

Sustainability Officer, Bank of North Dakota

Dr. Jacob Warren

Director of the Center for Rural Health (CRH) at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences (SMHS) and Professor of Population Health at SMHS