Governance committee proposal advances after lengthy debate at North Shore Health

The North Shore Health Hospital board debated forming a governance committee during its July 23 meeting. After a half-hour of debate, the board voted to form a pilot committee to evaluate the appropriate nature of a governance committee made up of two board members and appropriate members of the public.

The motion comes after a series of meetings in which the board openly stated their frustrations, acknowledged their relationship with the administration was not good and requested the help of a contractor to mediate discussion.

“Multiple times it’s been pointed out that we have board and administration relationship issues,” board member Milan Schmidt said during the board’s May meeting.

Board members and North Shore Health CEO Kimber Wraalstad have previously described relationships between the board and administration, as well as among board members, as “interesting” and “not good”.

Board dynamics have been a recurring topic for more than a year. In June 2025, the board hired consultant Matt Anderson to facilitate discussions aimed at helping the board become what Board Chair Randy Wiitala described as a “high-functioning board.” Anderson completed his contract in the fall of 2025, but was recently contracted again by the board.

The board has been able to compromise in the past. In June 2025, the board voted unanimously to make recordings available to the public and to allow the public to join board meetings remotely. A decision reached after much discussion among board members.

More recent meetings, however, have included lengthy discussions on governance and board procedures. Meetings, which begin with a closed session at 9 a.m., have regularly extended past noon. During the May meeting, board members Schmidt and Steve Frykman left before the meeting concluded after it lasted more than four hours.

Board member Sam Usem first proposed creating a governance committee during the May meeting.

“If we had a governance committee, and we wanted to change the bylaws. The governance committee would do the hard work,” Usem said.

The board voted on the proposal in June, but the motion failed on a 2-2 vote, with Schmidt and Usem in favor and board members Steve Frykman and Patty Winchell-Dahl opposed. The tied vote returned the item to the July agenda.

At the July meeting, the proposal again failed after Frykman said he wanted any governance committee to include public participation.

Following that vote, Schmidt proposed creating a committee to develop recommendations on the makeup and responsibilities of a governance committee. The motion passed 3-2, with Frykman joining Schmidt and Usem in support. Usem and Frykman will serve on the committee and are expected to report back at the board’s next meeting.

During the discussion, Wiitala said he was concerned that creating a governance committee should not replace efforts to strengthen relationships among board members.

“Governance starts with trust, and I have not heard, nor have I read anywhere here, that trust is our core component of good governance,” Wiitala said during the most recent board meeting. “I think, honestly, this board, along with administration, we should take a step back at this point in time and develop better avenues of trust.”

Usem said he viewed governance as a system designed to provide consistency regardless of personal relationships.

“Governance exists because you shouldn’t expect trust. Governance exists so that there are policies and procedures,” Usem said. “Is trust important? And can amazing things happen when you have it? Absolutely. Governance doesn’t need it, though. Governance needs stability.”

Winchell-Dahl said she remained uncertain about the proposed committee’s composition and purpose.

“I still have questions: What outside people? What community members? From what part of the community? What expertise or knowledge or skills do we want that particular person or persons to have?” Winchell-Dahl asked the board before voting against the second motion.

She also suggested the board participate in a talking circle to address interpersonal dynamics.

“We could have a talking circle where you cleanse before, and everybody commits to being open and honest, and it stays in that circle, and you don’t get offensive,” Winchell-Dahl said.

Several board members expressed interest in participating, saying a private setting could encourage more productive conversations.

The board has three regularly scheduled meetings remaining before the November election, when three seats will be on the ballot. Frykman, Wiitala and Winchell-Dahl have all filed for reelection.

Josh Hinke July 25, 2026