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Denise Hanson Denise Hansen, 29, has worked in health care for seven years, most recently at the former Good Samaritan Care Center in Paynesville and Hilltop Good Samaritan Center in Watkins as the director of social services. She has an undergraduate degree in social work and is currently working on her master's degree in social work. She and her husband, Greg, have a 19-month-old son. PAHCS - the trade name for the hospital district - has expanded tremendously in the last 20 years, from a community hospital to a regional health care system. How important is continued growth to PAHCS? Continued growth is essential to PAHCS. Not only in revenue generating programs, but also in providing services which enhance the community as a whole. PAHCS has historically been an innovative health care provider, and I would hope this creativity would extend into the future. Because of expansion, PAHCS has a tight financial position. How can this be improved? By creating and enhancing revenue generating programs along with looking at the current areas of expenditure to streamline expenses. The current financial position of PAHCS is the result of strategic investments for the future. Part of the financial strain is temporary, such as the revenue reduction at the Koronis Manor while construction is being completed. Would you ever support usingthe hospital district's ability to tax? Why or why not? PAHCS has never needed to use the available tax and to continue this practice is the ideal situation. I would support taxing only as a last resort to prevent compromising patient care.

Brad Johnson Brad Johnson, 60, has a bachelor of science in mathematics and a master's degree in guidance and counseling. He retired two years ago as marketing manager for an insurance company, where he supervised insurance agents in four states and worked with federal regulations and compliance audits. He and his wife, Sharon, have two grown daughters. PAHCS - the trade name for the hospital district - has expanded tremendously in the last 20 years, from a community hospital to a regional health care system. How important is continued growth to PAHCS? Continued growth in services and facilities will be critical to the success of the hospital district. Because of expansion, PAHCS has a tight financial position. How can this be improved? Continue to offer and expand medical services to attract people to the Paynesville Area Health Care System facilities. Planning and marketing strategies will be critical in attaining goals. Would you ever support usingthe hospital district's ability to tax? Why or why not? Most people oppose increases in taxes. I am not an exception to this. However, if the quality of health care/medical services would have to be reduced due to a lack of finances, I would then support the hospital district's ability to tax. Not doing so would be a great disservice to the residents in the hospital district.

Kay Spooner Kay Spooner, 47, a 1973 graduate of St. Cloud Cathedral High School and 1977 graduate of St. Benedict's College, worked for two years at a long-term care facility while attending college. For the last seven years, she has been the office manager at Mueller Wood Products. She and her husband, Bill, have three boys. PAHCS - the trade name for the hospital district - has expanded tremendously in the last 20 years, from a community hospital to a regional health care system. How important is continued growth to PAHCS? Size should not be the focus, but rather quality health care should be the focus. If PAHCS can provide quality health care and at the same time maintain a steady growth, PAHCS can continue to be a reputable regional health care system. Because of expansion, PAHCS has a tight financial position. How can this be improved? As I stated previously, the quality of the care provided will determine the success of the health care system. I think it is extremely important to support legislation getting the reimbursement rates for rural hospitals to be closer to or the same as it is for urban facilities. A final way to deal with the current financial position would be to consolidate existing debt with a bond issue. With interest rates as low as they are, this may be the optimum time to have a bond issue. Would you ever support usingthe hospital district's ability to tax? Why or why not? At this time, I am not aware of any need to resort to taxing for the hospital district.

Part I of the profiles for hospital board.
Part II of the profiles for hospital board.

(Editor's Note: Profiles of the four hospital board candidates for Paynesville Township will continue next week.)