Meet Our Team
Andrea Swenson
Chief Executive Officer
Andrea obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of North Dakota in 2010. She is currently enrolled in her Master’s of Healthcare Administration program at Rasmussen University and is also taking courses and practicum through the University of Minnesota-Crookston in pursuit of her Nursing Home Administrator License. Andrea has been with Kittson Healthcare since 2011 with experience in multiple facets of direct patient care as well as management. She is a current member of Kittson’s leadership team and has a history of working in several departments in the facility including dietary, nursing home, clinic, and hospital/ER. Andrea was the Director of Clinic Nursing and Patient Safety from 2018-2023.
Curtis Bach
Chief Financial Officer
Curtis has a demonstrated passion for engaging staff in organizational success, he is detail oriented and focused on the “big picture.” He values honesty, open communication, teamwork, and accountability. With over 30 years of financial healthcare experience, Curtis has been a managing partner and business owner of a medical billing company, worked as a healthcare consultant, clinic administrator, and healthcare CFO. Curtis joined our executive team in February 2023 and is a life long resident of MN.
Tawnya Sorenson
Director of Nursing and Administrator of Hospital Services
Tawnya’s career spans over 46 years of serving Kittson County in Minnesota. She started her career as a Certified Nursing Assistant, Licensed Practical Nurse, and then a Registered Nurse. Tawnya has worked in Long Term Care and all other areas of the hospital including Emergency Room, Obstetrics, Operating Room and Medical/Surgical. She holds certifications in Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Comprehensive Advanced Life Support, and FEMA Incident Command. Tawnya’s passions are caring for others with safe, competent, and compassionate care. Tawnya currently lives in Hallock, MN. She is a member of Grace Lutheran Church and volunteers with Kittson County Hospice. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends and most outdoor activities.
Jodee Sugden
Administrator of Home Health & Assisted Living
Jodee graduated from the University of North Dakota with her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing in 1996 and started working flex time at Kittson Healthcare hospital in 1997. She accepted a full time job in homecare in 1998 and has worked there ever since (25+ years). She accepted the Administrator role for Kittson Healthcare Home Care and Assisted Living in 2014. Jodee continues to see her Home Care/Assisted Living patients too, as that is where her true passion lies. Since becoming full time at Kittson Healthcare, she has filled in with such roles as a clinic nurse, public health/school nurse, nursing home nurse and Interim Nursing Home Administrator. She loves the roots of Kittson County and is happy to be part of the leadership team that promotes a phenomenal local healthcare facility striving to do their best for our community or anyone that is visiting our amazing community. Jodee and her husband, Mike, live in rural Hallock and have three grown boys, Riley, Ben, and Landon Sugden.
Jennifer Peterson
Director of Clinic Nursing & Patient Safety, Infection Control, and Emergency Preparedness
Jen has worked at Kittson Healthcare in multiple roles for over 30 years. She began her career as a Certified Nursing Assistant while attending Kittson Central High School. Upon graduation, she became an EMT and continues to serve on the Kittson Healthcare Ambulance. Jen has spent the past 16 years at Kittson Healthcare’s Hallock Clinic where she began her nursing career as a Medical Assistant, continuing on to a LPN, and is currently practicing as a RN. Jen moved into her present role in January 2023. She enjoys seeing patient satisfaction and is actively focused on employee engagement. She believes Kittson Healthcare is an invaluable asset to the people of Kittson County and the surrounding areas. Jen is passionate about providing healthcare services close to home as she was born and raised in Hallock and feels incredibly blessed to be able to raise her kids here. Lastly, she is excited to be a part of the leadership team and strives to keep the organization moving forward in a positive direction.
Laura Hanson
Director of Nursing
More to come
Nicole Lubarski
Director of Human Resources
Although only having a few months in at Kittson Healthcare, Nicole has longevity and passion for human resources. Earning her Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Capella University in December of 2021 and going on 6 years’ experience in a human resources field, she brings skills to Kittson Healthcare offering strategic direction to achieve financial success and a stable workforce. With having a strong passion to inspire the workforce and support personal growth for everyone, her goal is for an overall innovative culture for Kittson Healthcare team members and the communities it serves. Her various roles in human resources, will collectively promote and support not only employees, but those who impact Kittson Healthcare such as stakeholders, with a positive direction of professional developmental growth, which leads the workplace in a successful direction.
