Board of Directors
Dr. Richard Scott
Department Head for Public Health
& Behavioral Health Departments.
Carver County Public Health
Board Chair
Dr. Richard Scott has dedicated his professional life to mobilizing, empowering, and orchestrating the talents and resources of individuals and organizations to work together to improve the human condition…mind, body, and spirit. Scott holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from St. Olaf College, Master of Public Health from the University of Minnesota, post-graduate work in faith formation and congregational leadership at Luther Seminary, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Capella University. Scott serves as Deputy Division Director of HHS for Carver County, overseeing the Public Health and the Behavioral Health Departments. He also served as the Incident Commander for the COVID-19 Response for Carver County and is the current Board Chair for River Valley Health Services. Scott is married to his college sweetheart and has two wonderful adult children.
Dr. Michael Wilcox
Medical Director from Scott County
Scott County Public Health
Board Member
Michael Wilcox, MD, is a Board-Certified Family Practice Physician who has practiced in rural Minnesota for over 40 years. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Minnesota and his Doctor of Medicine Degree at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Dr. Wilcox took his post-graduate training at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis and completed his Bush Medical Fellowship in Critical & Emergency Care in 1985.
Dr. Wilcox is the former Coordinator at the Emergency Care Plus Program for North Memorial Health Care in Minneapolis and Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Emergency & Family Medicine, University of Minnesota. Dr. Wilcox is the Medical Director for Rural EMS Services, as well as Medical Director at the Community Paramedic Program at Hennepin Technical College in addition to being a CALS instructor.
An early architect of community paramedicine, Dr. Wilcox offers clinical skills training and oversight, CME/curriculum development, the development of policy and protocol, outcome analysis and quality assurance initiatives. Also a national conference speaker, he is a gifted ambassador of community paramedicine.
Bill Swanstrom
MBA, LGSW, MPH, Veteran
Retired Bank President
River Valley Health Services Executive Director
Contact Bill
Former Bank Executive held senior positions with major publicly traded and private banks—retired as Bank President after 27 years. Awarded Volunteer of the Year at Stillwater Prison during banking career. Completed MPH and MSW LISW licensure post-retirement concentration on Diabetes/Veterans clinical work at MN Veterans Homes. Honorably discharged US Navy two tours in Vietnam theatre served 8 years. Undergraduate University of MN Naval Science/Psychology, MBA degree. Graduated Balboa High School Panama, Canal Zone majored in football and water sports.
Glenn Johnston
RN (Retired)
Treasurer
Contact Glenn
Bio Coming Soon
Dr. Ann McGinn
MD, MPH
Board Member
Contact Ann
Experienced physician seeking to improve population health and healthcare delivery from a cost-effective, evidence-based, ethical, and equitable standpoint. Strong medical practice knowledge and experience in laboratory medicine, anatomic and clinical pathology, genetics, molecular diagnostics, and dermatopathology. Associate Medical Director, eviCore Healthcare (3+ yrs); Pathologist Consultant in Research & Development, PathAI (4+ yrs); Various Professorship roles at the U of MN over the past 24 yrs; Dermatopathologist & Partner at Associated Skin Care Specialists, 18+ yrs. Completed a master’s in Public Health Practice at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health in December 2019; completed Doctor of Medicine degree from U of MN in 1992 with Fellowship in Dermatopathology at Mayo Clinic School of Medicine. Certified as a Public Health Professional by the National Board of Public Health Examiners (2019).
Erica Denzer
RN
St. Francis Regional Medical Center
Board Member
I am currently the Patient Care Manager of Surgical Services at St. Francis Regional Medical Center; I have been in this role for the last eight years. I have spent most of my nursing career working in Surgical Services. I am blessed to live in New Prague with my husband and two boys, where we spend most of our time at the hockey rink or the Lacrosse field. Not only do I sit on the board at River Valley Health, but I am the Communication Manager for the New Prague Lacrosse Board.
Tracy Courneya
RN, MSN, PHN, LSN
Health Services Director, Shakopee Public Schools
Board Member
Tracy Courneya, RN, MSN, PHN, LSN. Health Services Supervisor at Shakopee Public Schools
Bachelor of science nursing degree from the University of Alabama Birmingham. Masters degree in healthcare administration from Loyola University New Orleans. 24 years of nursing experience in intensive care, senior living/long-term care and management/administration.
Jeff Hansen
Executive Director, Carver Dakota Scott CAP Agency
Board Member
Mary Hernandez is originally from Mexico City. She and her family have lived in Shakopee, Minnesota for more than twenty years. Mary is the co-founder of Mi CASA (formerly known as Esperanza) and the Shakopee Diversity Alliance. She is a former member of the St. Francis Regional Medical Center Board of Directors, River Valley YMCA, former Rotarian. former board member of the the Shakopee Community Education Advisory Council, and worked as a cultural liaison for Eastern Carver Schools and Shakopee Public Schools. She was named one of the 20 Hispanic & Latina Women to Know by the Minneapolis YWCA in 2020. Mary is a strong advocate for the community residents and fights tirelessly for racial and economic equity for all Minnesotans.
Mary Hernandez
Director of Mi C.A.S.A.
Board Member
Mary Hernandez is originally from Mexico City. She and her family have lived in Shakopee, Minnesota for more than twenty years. Mary is the co-founder of Mi CASA (formerly known as Esperanza) and the Shakopee Diversity Alliance. She is a former member of the St. Francis Regional Medical Center Board of Directors, River Valley YMCA, former Rotarian. former board member of the the Shakopee Community Education Advisory Council, and worked as a cultural liaison for Eastern Carver Schools and Shakopee Public Schools. She was named one of the 20 Hispanic & Latina Women to Know by the Minneapolis YWCA in 2020. Mary is a strong advocate for the community residents and fights tirelessly for racial and economic equity for all Minnesotans.
Maria Victoria Polanco
Physician Assistant
Board Member
I was born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico and have been in the USA for 33 years. I am a proud daughter of Dominican Parents and mother of 2 adult children, Isabelle and Fabio Giovanni. I graduated as a Physician Assistant in 1997 from Augsburg College and have been practicing full-time medicine for 26 years. I have been working with the Latino/Hispanic population of Shakopee for my entire career in medicine. I worked for Park Nicollet clinic for 25 years.
I have been working for SMSC Dakota Clinic since 2021.
Bachelor of Science / Medical Technology from UWEC.
Certification of OB-GYN procedures; Preceptor for Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners. Served as Section lead and Clinic Medical Director for the Park Nicollet Clinic Shakopee. Presenter at Shakopee High School (Medical Spanish Class) to motivate future medical students; Participated and presented for the chronic pain program at Park Nicollet. Participated in the Health disparity project on Breast Cancer Disparity at Park Nicollet. Participated in the Chlamydia screening project at Park Nicollet.
Erika Rivera Kennedy
Carver County Public Health, CHW
Board Member
I was born in Puebla, Mexico. I have lived in America for 28 years and have four beautiful children—three adult males and a beautiful daughter.
I have a bachelor’s degree in public health from St Catherine University. Also, I am a Certificate Community Health Worker and Health Coach, and currently, I am finishing my master’s in organizational leadership at St Mary University.
My work experience is as an advocate, facilitator, interpreter, Community Health Worker (CHW), and Educator. I have collaborated with the University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic, City of Minneapolis, State of Minnesota, Minneapolis Public School, and the University of St Catherine. Currently, I am a CHW at Carver County Public Health, a Rotarian, and a Lions Club member.
Foua Khang
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Board Member
Foua Khang currently serves as the chair of the Cultural, Ethnic, Communities, and Leadership Council (CECLC) for DHS. Mother to 3 boys and married to her husband for 17 years. Worked in the community for over 15 years. Graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a master’s in business administration and bachelor’s degree from MetroState University in community health and program evaluation. She is an Advocate for co-creating opportunities with the community to identify and find solutions to health disparities plaguing our wellness.
Angelica Contreras
Shakopee City Council
Board Member
Council Member for the City of Shakopee; bio pending.
Sahra Odowa
MPH
Executive Director of Advocates for Thriving Communities
Board Member
Bio Coming Soon