For Immediate Release

For more information, contact:
Kitty Hietala, 507-233-1209

Heart of New Ulm project hires four new staff members

NEW ULM, Minn. 04/03/2009--Allina Hospitals & Clinics and the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation have hired four key employees for the Heart of New Ulm project. The Heart of New Ulm project is a 10-year initiative to significantly reduce deaths by heart attacks through identifying health risks, tracking the health of the population and providing early interventions to improve health and prevent heart disease. All of the people who have been hired for new Heart of New Ulm project positions are residents of New Ulm or surrounding communities.

	Betsy Pieser will fill the position of Community Coordinator beginning April 13. Pieser sits on the New Ulm Medical Center Foundation Board and is very active in the community. “Betsy’s experience and training in the areas of marketing, business, event planning and public speaking make her a perfect fit for this critical position, which will be closely connected to community organizations, social clubs and special interest groups in New Ulm,” said Jeff VanWormer, Heart of New Ulm project director.
	Charles Stephens MD, a family medicine physician at New Ulm Medical Center since 1998, has accepted the medical director position. Stephens will help facilitate the design of clinical interventions and serve as a liaison between the project planners and front line practitioners at New Ulm Medical Center. He will continue seeing patients as usual and will also be involved in promoting project events, staff training and provider feedback.
	Rebecca Fliszar, registered dietitian, has been hired to lead nutrition initiatives. She will work closely with area restaurants, grocery stores, worksites, schools and community groups on nutrition. Fliszar has been with New Ulm Medical Center for three years working primarily with children's initiatives such as Shapedown and DAAN.
	Holly Glaubitz is the new health educator. She joined New Ulm Medical Center last year as the Wellness Coordinator, and many of her duties have closely correlated to the Heart of New Ulm project since its inception in the fall of 2008. Holly will provide education and coaching on lifestyle changes to New Ulm area residents. In addition, she will coordinate the project services with local businesses and worksites to ensure a strong culture of promoting employee wellness.

"The Heart of New Ulm is moving along as scheduled, and we will be conducting pilot screenings in April at some large worksites and, starting in May, at public events," VanWormer says. "We encourage all residents who feel that they might benefit from learning more about their heart health to participate in the screenings."

To learn more about the Heart of New Ulm project, visit www.heartofnewulm.org, join the Heart of New Ulm Facebook Group at www.facebook.com or call 507-233-1945.

About New Ulm Medical Center

Part of Allina Hospitals & Clinics, New Ulm Medical Center is a not-for-profit regional medical center, including a hospital and clinic, committed to providing exceptional care and improving the health of the communities it serves in and around Brown County. Information about NUMC's services, along with the latest health information, can be found online at www.newulmmedicalcenter.com.

About Allina Hospitals & Clinics

Allina Hospitals & Clinics is a not-for-profit family of hospitals, clinics and other care services dedicated to meeting the lifelong health care needs of communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. More information is at www.allina.com.

About Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation

The Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation is creating a world without heart disease through groundbreaking clinical research and innovative educational programs. The Foundation is located at mplsheart.org.