In a historic move for Minnesota’s healthcare landscape, Mohamed Omar has been appointed as the new chair of the Hennepin Healthcare System board, becoming the first Somali American to lead a hospital board in the state. His appointment was confirmed during the board’s regular meeting on Wednesday, where he had been serving as interim chair since Babette Apland stepped down in September.
Omar, who has been a member of the volunteer board for three years, has actively participated in various committees focused on finance, investment, audit, and compliance. He currently holds the position of chief administrative officer at the Washburn Center for Children and previously served as the chief financial officer at the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the role, Omar stated that he is eager to lead a hospital board in a state with the largest Somali American population in the U.S. He emphasized his commitment to providing “equitable, high-quality care” and aims to enhance community engagement, foster authentic connections between patients and healthcare team members, and collaboratively build a confident future.
Support for Omar’s leadership was echoed by CEO Jennifer DeCubellis and chief health equity officer Nneka Sederstrom, who highlighted the importance of inclusive leadership in addressing health disparities at HCMC.
Hennepin County Board Chair Irene Fernando, who also serves on the health system board, expressed her excitement about working with Omar. She noted the significance of representation in public leadership, particularly for communities of color.
The appointment comes as the County Board has recently passed a resolution urging the health system to diversify its oversight board to better reflect the community it serves. Omar is the second chair to assume the role in less than a year, following a tumultuous period marked by Apland’s resignation amid controversy over her comments regarding Somali immigrants and the hospital’s uncompensated care costs.
In December 2023, the board faced further challenges when two members, including the chair, resigned following new oversight measures imposed by the County Board. These measures were introduced after concerns were raised by nurses and unionized workers regarding changes to their healthcare benefits, staffing, and safety protocols, leading to calls for the County Board to regain control of the hospital—a request that has not been supported by commissioners.
