Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Gail I. Sheridan to the Minnesota Veterans Homes Board of Directors.

Sheridan, of Faribault, is vice president of health services with Tealwood Care Centers, Inc. in Bloomington, where she is responsible for the overall quality of the environment and resident care services of 20 nursing facilities. She assists the regulatory compliance; oversees the quality improvement program, safety programs, and human resources within the facilities. Prior to her employment with Tealwood in 1989, Sheridan was the director of health services with HMU, Inc., director of nursing services with Beverly Enterprises, Inc., and a nursing assistant, registered staff nurse, and part-time supervisor with St. John’s Lutheran Home.

Sheridan was a hospital corpsman in the United States Navy from 1975 to 1979, and earned an associate’s degree in nursing from Austin Community College in 1983. Sheridan is active with the Care Providers of Minnesota, currently serving as secretary of its board of directors and its executive committee as well as chairperson of its legislative forum. She is also a member of the American Health Care Association, where she chaired its survey regulatory committee in 2005-06, is a Sunday school teacher and former church council president for Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, and a volunteer and former board member for Ruth’s House, a home for homeless women and children. Sheridan replaces Lawrence Greenberg on the Veterans Homes Board as a public member for a four-year terms that expires January 3, 2011.

The Minnesota Veterans Homes Board of Directors oversees management of Minnesota’s five state-run veterans homes located in Minneapolis, Hastings, Silver Bay, Luverne, and Fergus Falls. The board consists of nine members appointed by the Governor.