North Shore Health board re-elects officers at January meeting

The North Shore Health Board of Directors held elections for board officers at its first monthly board meeting on Jan. 22, with all three incumbents winning re-election.

Steve Frykman was re-elected as board clerk, Patty Winchell-Dahl retained her position as treasurer, and Randy Wiitala will return for a second year as board chair.

Wiitala ran unopposed and won his seat in a 4-1 vote. Wiitala was nominated by Winchell-Dahl. It will be Wiitala’s second year serving as Board Chair.

Sam Usem was nominated for clerk by fellow board member Milan Schmidt, and nominated himself for treasurer. He lost both elections by a 3-2 vote, with the three incumbents voting for each other.

During the elections, Usem paused the proceedings to request a more formal process, asking board members to explain their qualifications and motivations for seeking the positions.

“I’m not trying to really hold things up at all, but it just really feels very uncomfortable that the response from our three officers is, ‘We’re doing great, let us keep just doing it,'” Usem said during the meeting.

Winchell-Dahl cited her credentials as school board treasurer and her multiple years of experience as the treasurer for North Shore Health.

“I think I still have something to offer,” Winchell-Dahl told the board. “And as things get complicated with funding, I’m interested in being able to influence that or represent the board in those discussions.”

Frykman did not elaborate on his interest in continuing as clerk, but said he was willing to remain in the role when asked.

The three re-elected officers are the board’s longest-serving members. Usem and Schmidt joined the board last year following the 2024 election.

Josh Hinke January 25, 2026