Item Description:
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Commendation of Stella Whitney West upon her retirement - offered by Hennepin County Board of Commissioners
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WHEREAS:
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WHEREAS, Stella Whitney West began her work with Hennepin County in 2004 as Chief Operations Officer of NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center; and
WHEREAS, in 2007, Ms. Whitney West was promoted to the role of Chief Executive Officer of NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center; and
WHEREAS, during her tenure, Ms. Whitney West led NorthPoint through immense changes, including a $100 million campus expansion doubling the size of NorthPoint’s main campus facility, as well as the opening of several satellite clinic locations throughout North Minneapolis; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Whitney West led NorthPoint to meet the community’s changing needs, becoming a certified Health Care Home, introducing interpreter services, transitioning to electronic health record systems, and made NorthPoint one of the first smoke-free Hennepin County facilities; and
WHEREAS, during the COVID-19 pandemic, NorthPoint implemented a communitywide COVID testing and vaccine operation. Administering over 27,000 vaccines through June of 2022, and providing over 12,400 COVID tests; and
WHEREAS, her extensive experience in governance and policy has been honored with several leadership and fellowship awards including a Bush Leadership Fellowship, The International Black Women’s Congress Community Service, 2015 Women’s Health Leadership TRUST honoree, and 2021 Minneapolis St Paul Business Journal Women in Business Award; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Whitney West has represented NorthPoint on numerous boards and organizations including: Twin Cities LISC Advisory Board, Minnesota Association of Community Health Centers Board, African American Leadership Forum Board, Federal Reserve Advisory Council (9th District), State of Minnesota: Community Resiliency & Recovery (CRR) Advisors, Penn-Plymouth Partnership (PPP) Board, Minneapolis Inclusive Economic Recovery Work Group, Love MPLS, and the Lifesource Community Advisory Council; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Whitney West spent 17 years committed to improving health and wellness outcomes for the residents of Hennepin County and North Minneapolis and a 36 year career as a leader in community organizations that serve and support residents; and
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners acknowledges Stella Whitney West’s accomplishments, thanks her for her commitment and dedicated service to the county and its residents, and wishes her the best of luck in her retirement and in all future endeavors.
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Background:
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Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval