GRAND FORKS, N.D. – On Thursday, Aug. 13, Altru Health System announced that Heather Strandell has been selected to serve as the organization’s chief operating officer (COO), effective Sept. 7. In this role, Strandell will have executive oversight over inpatient and outpatient operations.
“We are thrilled to have Heather join our executive team and continue the excellent leadership she’s provided to Altru for over 22 years,” shared Todd Forkel, CEO of Altru. “Heather is incredibly skilled in process improvement and focused on patient-centered care. Combined with her depth of knowledge about the healthcare industry and organizational expertise, she is wellpositioned to lead our operations and continue the pursuit of Altru’s vision and fulfillment of our mission.”
According to the press release from Altru, Strandell brings 30 years of healthcare experience into this role, including oversight of a broad range of functional areas, such as primary and specialty care operations, care management, performance improvement and beyond. She has worked in leadership at Altru since 2004, most recently as senior director of clinic operations, quality and patient safety. Prior to joining Altru, she served as the executive director of the North Region Health Alliance.
Strandell earned a Bachelor of Accountancy from the University of North Dakota and also holds a lean certification from Villanova University. Outside of work, she is deeply involved in the community. She has served on the boards of Community Violence Intervention Center, Sharon Lutheran Church, MN/ND Alzheimer’s Association, and was actively involved with school volunteering. She and her husband Jon have two sons, Sam and Leo.
“I am incredibly excited and deeply honored to step into the role of chief operating officer,” Strandell said. “Altru has been my professional home for many years, and I am continually inspired by our mission, and most importantly, the wonderful people who care for our patients and communities every day. As COO, I look forward to leading across both our inpatient and outpatient settings to help ensure a seamless, high-quality experience for every patient we serve. I remain dedicated to supporting our teams, advancing our strategic vision, and building on the strong foundation that makes Altru so special.”
Based in Grand Forks, N.D., Altru is an independent, nonprofit healthcare organization. They are physician-led, with over 300 providers and 65 specialties of care. Altru boasts an acute care hospital, critical access hospital, specialty hospital, level II trauma center and twenty practice locations throughout northwest Minnesota and northeast North Dakota. Altru was the first member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, extending Mayo Clinic expertise to the patients we serve. Altru employs over 3,100 staff and providers who are empowered to fulfill Altru’s mission – making a difference for those they care for. For more information, visit altru.org.