Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Judy L. Anderson, Deborah Haagenson, Deborah A, Meyer, and Amy Witt, and the reappointment of Marcia Farinacci to the Minnesota Board of Nursing.

Anderson, of Willmar, is a staff licensed practical nurse (LPN) at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar. She began her career as a staff LPN at Rice Hospital in 1980, where she worked until 1982 and again since 1999. Previously, she was a clinic LPN with Affiliated Community Medical Center in Willmar from 1990 to 1999, a residential care LPN with Kindlehope, Inc. in Willmar from 1985 to 1990, and a staff LPN at the Willmar Regional Treatment Center from 1982 to 1985. She is a graduate of the Willmar Vocational Technical College’s LPN program in 1980. Anderson replaces Kristina Malone on the Board of Nursing as an LPN member and is appointed to a four-year term that expires on January 7, 2013.

Farinacci, of St. Paul, retired in 2004 from state service as the acting director of the Office of Strategic and Long Range Planning. She previously served on the staffs of Governor Arne Carlson and United States Senator Rudy Boschwitz, and worked for Independent School District 625 in Roseville. Farinacci is also a member of the Public Employees Retirement Association Board of Trustees, and previously served on the Board of Psychology, and Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board. Farinacci, who has been a member of the Board of Nursing since 2005, is reappointed as a public member to another four-year term that expires on January 7, 2013.

Haagenson, of Park Rapids, is a registered nurse (RN), vice president of patient care and chief nursing officer at St. Joseph’s Area Health Services in Park Rapids, a position she has held since 2005. She was the regional clinic manager with MeritCare Clinics in Detroit Lakes (1999 to 2005) and Pelican Rapids (2002 to 2005), and previously held a number of other nursing positions in North Dakota. Haagenson was a member and chair of the North Dakota Board of Nursing, as well as a member of the North Dakota Board of Nursing Practice Committee. Haagenson earned her bachelor of science degree in nursing from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 1979. Haagenson replaces Darin Prescott on the Board of Nursing as an RN member and is appointed to a four-year term that expires on January 7, 2013.

Meyer, of Eveleth, is a licensed practical nurse (LPN) with the Virginia Convalescent Center, a position she has held since 1996. She was a certified nursing assistant with the Virginia Convalescent Center from 1992 to 1996. She is president of Local 730 LPN Unit, serves on the Virginia Convalescent Labor Management and Falling Stars Committees. Meyer earned her practical nursing degree from Mesabi Range Technical College in Eveleth in 1995, and her certified nursing assistant degree from Hibbing Community College in 1992. Meyer replaces Jacqueline Dickie on the Board of Nursing as an LPN member to complete a four-year term that expires on January 2, 2012.

Witt, of Lake Elmo, is an assistant professor in nursing program at Bethel University in St. Paul, a position she has held since 2007. Previously, she was a learning resource laboratory coordinator at Inver Hills Community College where was also a clinical instructor, a registered nurse (RN) with Regions Hospital in St. Paul, and held RN positions with hospitals in Louisville, Kentucky. Witt earned her master of science degree in Nursing Leadership and Management from Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, her bachelor of science degree in nursing from Spalding University in Louisville in 1996, and her bachelor of arts degree from Concordia College in Moorhead. Witt replaces Jessie Czeslawa Daniels on the Board of Nursing as an RN who is a baccalaureate degree educator and is appointed to a four-year term that expires on January 7, 2013.

The Minnesota Board of Nursing licenses and disciplines nurses, and approves nurse education programs. The board consists of 16 members appointed by the Governor.