Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Debbie Boe, V. John Ella, Kelli Johnson, and Jon V. Thomas, M.D.; and the reappointment of Gregory B. Snyder, M.D. to the Board of Medical Practice. All five are appointed to four-year terms that expire on January 6, 2014.

Boe, of Chaska, is a paralegal with the Gislason and Hunter law firm in Minneapolis, a position she has held since 2001. She also owns and operates Debbie’s Legal and Genealogical Services. She has additional experience as an indexer, contract administrator, and a data management paralegal. Boe earned her bachelor of science degree from Mankato State University. Her community activities include serving as a member of the Chaska Historic Preservation Commission, Chaska Downtown Task Force, and as a former board member of the Jonathan Homeowners Association. Boe replaces Robert Brown on the Board of Medical Practice as a public member.

Ella, of Robbinsdale, is an attorney of counsel to the Jackson Lewis law firm in Minneapolis, a position he has held since 2007. Previously, he was an attorney and shareholder with the Mansfield, Tanick and Cohen law firm in Minneapolis, an attorney with Western Minnesota Legal Services in Willmar, and also served as a judicial law clerk. Ella earned his law degree cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School, and his bachelor of arts degree from Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts. He is a member of numerous law-related committees, and has served his community as a member of the Robbinsdale Human Rights Commission. Ella replaces Jack Geller on the Board of Medical Practice as a public member.

Johnson, of St. Paul, is a senior research fellow at the State Health Access Data Assistance Center at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. Previously, she held positions as the director of corporate compliance with Allina Health Systems in Minneapolis, assistant commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health, director of caucus research with the Minnesota House of Representatives, and scheduler to U.S. Senator David Durenberger. Johnson is currently a doctoral candidate in organizational leadership, policy and development – evaluation studies at the University of Minnesota, earned her master of business administration degree from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, and her bachelor of arts degree from St. Olaf College in Northfield.

Johnson is a member of the boards of Hearth Connection and Sustainable Resources Center. Johnson, who previously served on the Board of Medical Practice from 2004 to 2008, replaces Allen Rasmussen as a public member.

Snyder, of Minnetrista, is an assistant clinical professor and the fellowship director of vascular and interventional radiology at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine. He was a co-founder of InterRad Medical Corporation, a medical device company that was granted the exclusive patent for subcutaneous catheter anchoring system, and was the founder, chief executive officer, and medical director of Minnesota Radiology and Minnesota Vascular Treatment Center. Snyder also previously served as a staff physician at Fairview Hospitals and Clinics, and the St. Peter Community Hospital. Snyder earned his doctor of medicine degree from the University of Minnesota School of Medicine, did immunology research at the New England Regional Primate Research Center (Harvard University), and earned his bachelor of arts degree from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. Among his many professional associations, he was recently elected to the Federation of State Medical Boards Nominating Committee. Snyder, who has been a member of the Board of Medical Practice since 2006, is reappointed as a physician member.

Thomas, of Vadnais Heights, is an otolaryngologist and the chief operating officer of Ear, Nose and Throat SpecialtyCare of Minnesota. He is also chief of staff-elect and a member of the senior management team at United Hospital in St. Paul, where he previously served as secretary/treasurer of the medical staff and chair of the by-laws committee. Previously, he was a doctor and partner with Head and Neck Physicians and Surgeons Clinic, and a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Family Practice and Community Health with the University of Minnesota Medical School. Thomas earned his doctor of medicine degree from Mayo Medical School in Rochester, his master of business administration degree from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, and his bachelor of science degree from Carleton College in Northfield. He serves on the board of directors of the Federation of State Medical Boards, and is a member of its Governance Committee. Thomas, who was a member of the Board of Medical Practice from 2001 to 2009 and served as president from 2007 to 2008, replaces Dr. Rebecca Hafner-Fogarty on the board as a physician member.

The Board of Medical Practice is responsible for licensing and disciplining physicians as well as the regulation of acupuncturists, athletic trainers, physician assistants, and respiratory care practitioners. The board consists of 16 members appointed by the Governor.