Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Christine Black-Hughes, William Conley, James Dahlquist, Donna Draves, Diane Greig, Ronald Groat, Robert Haight, Jennifer Olson, Lori Squire, and Rachel Wobschall to the Ombudsman Committee for Mental Health and Mental Retardation.  The Governor appointed Ms. Squire as the Ombudsman Committee’s Chair. 

Additionally, Governor Pawlenty appointed Diane Greig, Ronald Groat, Robert Haight, and Jennifer Olson to the Medical Review Subcommittee.  The Governor appointed Dr. Olson as the Subcommittee’s Chair. 

Christine Black-Hughes, Ph.D., of Eagle Lake, is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work at Minnesota State University, Mankato.  She is reappointed to a Committee position for a health care provider and will serve a term which ends January 1, 2007.  Dr. Black-Hughes joined the Committee in 1998.   

William Conley, of St. Paul, is a public policy consultant for the Mental Health Association of Minnesota.  He is an active lobbyist on mental health issues and has over 20 years of experience at the state and federal level.  Mr. Conley is reappointed to the Committee position for a representative of an advocacy organization and will serve a term which ends January 1, 2007.  He joined the Committee in 1997.   

James Dahlquist, of Minneapolis, is an attorney practicing in the areas of mental health and chemical dependency advocacy.  He is reappointed to a Committee position for a family member of a person who has developmental disabilities, chemical dependency, or mental illness and will serve a term which ends January 2, 2006.  Mr. Dahlquist joined the Committee in 1987. 

Donna Draves, of Minneapolis, is an outreach worker for the Northeast Community Health Program in Minneapolis.  From 1995 to 1998, she served as a member of the State Advisory Council on Mental Health.  Ms. Draves is reappointed to the Committee position for a consumer member and will serve a term which ends January 1, 2007.  She joined the Committee in 1998.    

Diane Greig, of Bloomington, is a Registered Nurse (RN) and currently serves as Health Coordinator and Special Projects Coordinator for AXIS Healthcare, Inc.  She is reappointed to Committee position for a health care provider and will serve a term which ends January 1, 2007.  Ms. Greig joined the Committee in 2000.  She is also appointed to the Medical Review Subcommittee.    

Ronald Groat, M.D., of Edina, is a psychiatrist in private practice in Edina.  He is board certified in psychiatry (including geriatric and addiction psychiatry).  Dr. Groat is appointed to a Committee position for a psychiatrist and will serve a term which ends January 3, 2005.  He joined the Committee in 2002.    Dr. Groat is also appointed to the Medical Review Subcommittee. 

Robert Haight, Pharm.D., of Hastings, is a licensed pharmacist.  He currently serves as Pharmacy Clinical Specialist – Psychiatry at Fairview University Medical Center in Minneapolis.  Dr. Haight is reappointed to a Committee position for a health care provider and will serve a term which ends January 3, 2005.  He joined the Committee in 2002.  Dr. Haight is also appointed to the Medical Review Subcommittee.     

Jennifer Olson, M.D., of Minnetonka, is an internist specializing in geriatric medicine at the Park Nicollet Clinic in St. Louis Park.  She is board certified in internal and geriatric medicine.  Dr. Olson is reappointed to the Committee position for an internal medicine physician and will serve a term which ends January 2, 2006.  She joined the Committee in 1991.  Dr. Olson is also appointed as a member and chair of the Medical Review Subcommittee. 

Lori Squire, of Lakeville, is the Director of Quality Management and Medical Staff Services for Queen of Peace Hospital in New Prague.  She also serves as a quality and risk management consultant.  Ms. Squire is reappointed to a Committee position for a public member and will serve a term which ends January 2, 2006.  She joined the Committee in 1992.  Ms. Squire is also appointed as the Chair of the Ombudsman Committee. 

Rachel Wobschall, of St. Paul, is the Executive Director of Constituent Relations at the University of St. Thomas.  From 1987 to 1999, she served as Executive Director of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Technology for Persons with Disabilities.  Ms. Wobschall is reappointed to a Committee position for a public member and will serve a term which ends January 3, 2005.  She joined the Committee in 2002. 

The Committee advises the Ombudsman for Mental Health and Mental Retardation.  The Committee has 15 members and the Subcommittee has five members.  All are appointed by the Governor.