Marshall native named one of top women in finance in Minnesota

Becky Woitalewicz, the daughter of James and Shirley Snyder of rural Marshall, has been named one of the top women in finance 2019, according to Finance & Commerce magazine, a supplement to finance-commerce.com. Woitalewicz is the vice president of finance operations for the Children’s Minnesota health system. After graduating from Marshall High School in 1984, she attended St. Olaf College in Northfield.

Finance & Commerce included Woitalewicz as one of its 36 top women in finance in its November 2019 edition.

Woitalewicz joined the Children’s Minnesota system as director of payer contracting. In her current role leading day-to-day fiscal management and reporting for the largest nonprofit pediatric health system in the state, Woitalewicz “cherishes the feeling of helping to make a positive difference for the community — and the entire state’s — pediatric patients and families, said the magazine article.

As a key member of the executive leadership team, her role also includes continuous planing and forecasting for operations and capital, financial and business decision support, and accounting services.

Community outreach is also a big part of the mission at Children’s, the article continues. That includes working with community schools to develop programs. One such effort is Community Connect, which involves partnering with other local businesses and agencies to connect families with services they need, without replicating services.

As an industry, she says “health care continues to become more and more complex, and the growing cost of care is a huge issue for consumers and government. Our continual challenge is finding ways to make health care more accessible and affordable to all.”

Avera physicians earn board certification

Avera Medical Group Marshall physicians Dr. Ying Long, Hospitalist; Dr. Lauren O’Brien, Obstetrics & Gynecology; Dr. Mary Hagan, Pediatrics; and Dr. Vik Chatrath, Orthopedics, have all achieved board certifications in their medical specialties.

Dr. Ying Long, Hospitalist

Hospitalist Ying Long, MD, has been certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). Board certification from ABIM is the highest standard in internal medicine and its subspecialties and signifies that physicians have demonstrated they have the clinical judgment, skills and attitudes essential for providing excellent patient care. Board certification includes a rigorous exam that tests a physician’s ability to diagnose and treat patients with a broad range of conditions.

Dr. Long joined Avera Medical Group in August 2019. She is a member of the hospitalist team that helps to direct care for hospitalized patients at Avera Marshall.

Dr. Lauren O’Brien, OB/GYN

Lauren O’Brien, MD, Obstetrics & Gynecology, has earned certification through the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG). ABOG certification demonstrates that a physician has the knowledge, experience and skill needed to provide high-quality patient care. To earn certification by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, a physician must successfully complete a written examination, demonstrate experience in treating women’s health conditions and pass an oral exam demonstrating expertise in diagnosing, managing and treating a wide range of conditions.

Dr. O’Brien joined Avera Medical Group Marshall in 2017. As an obstetrician-gynecologist, she specializes in the medical and surgical care of women, including care related to pregnancy and the reproductive system.

Dr. Mary Hagan, Pediatrics

Mary Hagan, MD, Pediatrics, has been certified in pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP). Pediatricians certified by the ABP have demonstrated expertise in conditions, symptoms and developmental standards specific to the unique needs of infants, children and adolescents. Board certified pediatricians demonstrate their participation in ongoing learning and show how they can apply quality improvement in the care of their patients.

Dr. Hagan has been with Avera Medical Group Marshall since 2014.

Dr. Vik Chatrath, Orthopedics

Vik Chatrath, MD, FRCSC, FACS, MS, MCH, has achieved board certification in orthopedic surgery through the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada. The Royal College is the national professional association that oversees the medical education of specialists in Canada. Royal College Fellows are afforded the opportunity to practice in almost all countries throughout the world.  Certification signifies that a specialist had made a commitment to ensuring the highest standards and quality of health care through lifelong learning and skills development. Dr. Chatrath also recently earned fellowship with the American College of Surgeons and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.

Dr. Chatrath has been a member of the Avera Medical Group team since 2013. He is a fellowship trained surgeon and specializes in joint replacement surgery.