Primary Care Physician, Former Police Chief Join ClearWay Minnesota(SM) Board of Directors

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- At its Annual Meeting today, ClearWay Minnesota's Board of Directors welcomed two new Members with expertise in health and organizational development, policies and procedures. Physician David Klevan and independent consultant Joy M. Rikala were elected in July to three-year Board terms that take effect this month.

• David Klevan, M.D., is a primary care clinician at HealthPartners Como Clinic. He has worked as a researcher, advocate, educator and care provider in smoking cessation and tobacco control for more than two decades, and is a clinical instructor at the University of Minnesota Medical School's Department of Internal Medicine.

• Joy M. Rikala enjoyed a 32-year career in public safety, serving as a Special Agent with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and as police chief for the University of Minnesota and for the City of Minnetonka. Ms. Rikala is now an independent consultant with expertise in organizational development, policies and procedures.

"Our vision at ClearWay Minnesota is to eliminate tobacco's harm, so health is our business," said Board Chair David Fisher. "As a practicing physician with decades of experience in cessation, Dr. Klevan will lend invaluable perspective to the Board as we plan programs to help Minnesota tobacco users quit. And Ms. Rikala's expertise in organizational leadership and grants administration makes her a perfect fit for this organization, which prides itself on its good governance."

At the Meeting, the Board also recognized retiring Members Dr. Fred Nobrega and Kirby Erickson for their years of service to the organization. Elected to the Board in 2003 and 2005, respectively, former Mayo Clinic physician Nobrega and retired health care administrator Erickson have been among the most engaged and passionate leaders of ClearWay Minnesota. Both served terms as Board Chair and also chaired various Board committees.

"In Fred and Kirby, ClearWay Minnesota has enjoyed the leadership, expertise, dedication and fellowship of true champions of public health," Board Chair Fisher commented. "Their presence on the Board will be greatly missed."

In other business, today the Board of Directors elected officers. Attorney and businessman David Fisher will continue as Chair, former Minnesota Rural Education Association director Vernae Hasbargen will serve as Vice Chair and agricultural insurance executive James Deal will be Treasurer. Public relations and marketing expert Cynthia Bemis Abrams was elected as Secretary.

About ClearWay Minnesota(SM)

ClearWay Minnesota is an independent, nonprofit organization that improves the health of Minnesotans by reducing the harm caused by tobacco. ClearWay Minnesota serves Minnesota through its grant-making program, QUITPLAN® stop-smoking services and statewide outreach activities. It is funded with 3 percent of the state's 1998 tobacco settlement.

For more information on ClearWay Minnesota or QUITPLAN Services, call 952-767-1400 or visit www.clearwaymn.org.

SOURCE ClearWay Minnesota