ABOUT
Our leadership
Hudson Hospital & Clinic leadership
Our leadership team is at the center of our efforts to support the health and well-being of our patients and the St. Croix Valley community.
Hudson Hospital & Clinic is part of the HealthPartners health care system, a multi-specialty group practice that serves more than 1.2 million patients across Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Together, we’re living our values each day to promote the health and well-being of the St. Croix Valley community and beyond.
Martin Richards, MD, Vice President, Medical Affairs – Western Wisconsin
Martin joined HealthPartners in 2009 as an emergency physician and medical director in western Wisconsin. In his current role as Vice President of Medical Affairs for the HealthPartners hospitals and clinics in Hudson, New Richmond and Amery, he works with medical staff and other leaders to help drive operational excellence and quality of care. From 2022-2024, he also served as the Regional Medical Director for Primary Care.
Hudson has been home for Martin and his wife since 2006 and is where they raised their four sons. The family enjoys spending time outdoors at their cabin and at state and regional parks, participating in activities such as hiking, paddleboarding and boating. Martin’s personal hobbies include woodworking and working outside, alpine skiing and mountain biking.
Kristy Yaeger, Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer & Site Administrator
Kristy joined Hudson Hospital & Clinic in February of 2017 as Director, Quality. In November, 2017 she was named Vice President, Patient Care Services, CNO. Kristy spent the majority of her nursing career at Ministry St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield, WI in a variety of nursing and leadership roles. When she moved to Hudson in 2013, she served as Clinical Director at Woodwinds Health Campus, Woodbury, MN.
Kristy holds a Bachelor of Science, Nursing and a Master of Science, Nursing Administration from University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. Kristy and her husband, Adam, live in Hudson with their two children, Ross and Ally. They love spending time on the St. Croix River and supporting their children in extracurricular activities.
Kristen Novak, Director, Human Resources
Kristen joined Hudson Hospital & Clinic in April of 2018 as Director, Human Resources. Kristen has spent her career in the financial services and health care industries in various human resources and leadership roles. Prior to joining Hudson Hospital, Kristen was the human resources director at Allina Health’s River Falls Area Hospital and Regina Hospital.
Kristen holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Communication and Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire and has her SHRM-CP and HRCI-PHR certifications.
Kristen and her husband live in Hudson with their three boys and enjoy spending time supporting the boys’ activities.
Erika Schendel, Director, Hudson Hospital Foundation
Erika joined Hudson Hospital & Clinic in 1999 as the Manager of Social Services. In June 2023 she was named Director, Hudson Hospital Foundation. Erika has spent the majority of her career in health care working with patients and families in a variety of leadership roles, including Care Management, Family Resource Education, Guest Services, Patient and Family Experience, Music Therapy, Social Services, and Spiritual Care.
Erika holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Social Work and Psychology from St. Olaf College and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Minnesota. She and her husband, Andy, live in Cottage Grove and have two daughters. They enjoy supporting their children’s activities, traveling, and being outdoors.
Board of Directors for Hudson Hospital & Clinic
Hudson Hospital & Clinic is a nonprofit organization, locally governed by a Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is a volunteer board comprised of leaders, representatives and physicians from the St. Croix Valley community and HealthPartners, including Amery Hospital & Clinic, Hudson Hospital & Clinic, Lakeview Hospital and Westfields Hospital & Clinic.
Mike Anderson, chair
Retired, HR Executive, 3M
Craig Yehlik, vice chair
Chief of Police, City of New Richmond
Oralee Schock, quality chair
Retired, Principal, Amery Intermediate
Mark Gherty, treasurer
Retired, Lawyer, Gherty and Gherty, S.C.
Chuck Williamson
Retired, Owner, Williamson-White Funeral Home
Khu Thao, PsyD
CEO, Canvas Health
Regan Brown, DDS
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Paula Kolbeck
HR Executive, Ellicott Dredge Technologies
Kris Tjornehoi
Retired, Professor of Music, UW-River Falls
Melissa Kolb
Clinical Operations and HR Consultant, MKR Consulting
Rick Dado
Business Owner, Four Hands Holstein
Sharon Tolva
Vice President and Corporate Controller, Andersen Corporation
Steve Long, DO
Regional Medical Director, Valley Primary Care, HealthPartners
Levon O’hAodha, MD
Emergency Medicine, Hudson Hospital & Clinic
Nick Weiss, MD
Orthopedic Surgery, TRIA Orthopedics
Annie Jacobsen, MD
Oncology, Lakeview and Regions Hospitals
Jack Dressen
Vice President, Hospital Specialty Services and Radiology, HealthPartners
Jason Gallagher
Vice President, Health and Care Engagement, HealthPartners
Pahoua Hoffman
Senior Vice President, Government and Community Relations, HealthPartners