Carl Vaagenes, CEO of Alomere Health honored as 2020 Friend of the Chamber 2020’s global pandemic challenged health care professionals around the world. Fortunately, these individuals are taught to expect the unexpected and undergo many hours of training to prepare them for situations like this. That was definitely the case in Douglas County, as the team at Alomere Health was trained and ready and wasted no time putting their protocols in place to care for their community. While Alomere Health’s CEO Carl Vaagenes is quick to give credit to everyone within the organization but himself, his team is quick to send it right back, knowing that successes can only be achieved under strong leadership. Vaagenes’ remarkable leadership and his commitment to not only his organization and team but also the overall community led him to be selected as the Alexandria Chamber’s 2020 Friend of the Chamber. Vaagenes has been in the health care industry for 35 years, serving in four differ-
ent CEO positions. He has been at the helm of Alomere Health for the past nine and a half years. He served on the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) board from 2009-2017, serving as board chair twice during that time. He also served on the American Hospital Association (AHA) Regional Policy Board for three years. Vaagenes is no stranger to awards. He received the AHA Grassroots Champion Award in 2017 and the MHA Stephen Rogness Distinguished Service Award in 2019. Locally, he has also served on the Unity Foundation Board of Directors, the Alexandria Area High School Champions Committee and is currently the board chair of the United Way of Pope and Douglas Counties. He has been a strong supporter of the Chamber of Commerce through membership, sponsorship support, encouraging and allowing employees time to serve on the board and other committees, and par-
2020 has been filled with both joy and loss. A year that’s required us all to pull together in significant ways. A year that’s shown what a truly exceptional community this is. All year long, you’ve supported our healthcare team in incredible ways. Our community came together and made thousands of masks for our workers. Many of you have bought meals for our essential staff. And you did your part by staying home, sacrificing social gatherings, and wearing masks—to keep our team and our community safe. As we look forward to the vaccination rollout, we see a light at the end of this long tunnel—but the availability of the vaccine does not mean we can lose focus on what we’ve been doing right now.
Carl Vaagenes
CEO, Alomere Health
During this past year, while our staff has been exhausted and discouraged at times, we are constantly reminded of the privilege it is to serve you and be a part of this wonderful community each and every day. I want to thank you in advance for placing your trust in us and for allowing us to serve you and d your loved ones. We’re looking fo orward to a brighter 2021 and we lo ook forward to serving you for years to come. Together, we will pull through—and come out even stronger.
Carl Vaagenes Alomere Health CEO
We will remain vigilant in providing the safest environment during this pandemic because we know how important it is that we are here to meet your health care needs.
8 Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce 2021
Becca Zwonitzer, LPN, the first recipient of COVID-19 vaccination at Alomere Health.
