Community at the Helm: Interoperability as a Priority for Minnesota’s Health Data
At MN Community Measurement (MNCM), we believe that the most meaningful progress in health care comes when the community is at the center—when those closest to the work and most affected by outcomes help shape the path forward. Building on this foundation, we are making interoperability a top priority. Read more below.
What's New at MNCM
Team Updates
This quarter brought a few team changes as we said goodbye to Rowan Mahon, Lexie Adams, and Elijah Gallenberg. We’re grateful for their many contributions to our team and wish them all the best in their new endeavors. We are also thrilled that Rowan will continue to share her clinical expertise as an independent contractor.
These transitions also opened the door for growth. We've welcomed two talented new team members –
Christopher Lee, MHI
Christopher joined MNCM in October as a Clinical Informaticist. He brings extensive experience in informatics, data analytics, project management, and research, with a strong commitment to using data to improve patient outcomes and advance healthcare quality. Christopher holds a Master of Science in Health Informatics from St. Catherine University and a Bachelor of Science in Community Health Education from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Guevara Meh Mehche, MS
Guevara joined MNCM in October as a Data Integrity Analyst. He specializes in healthcare data quality, Python/SQL, and ETL. He is pursuing an M.S. in Data Science at Eastern University and holds a B.S. in Computer Engineering. Before MNCM, he worked as a Software Engineer, building data-driven applications and pipelines, experience he now applies to make messy data trustworthy and useful.
Dr. Kate Hust Joins CQMC Steering Committee
Dr. Kate Hust, our Vice Chair of the Board and co-chair of the Measurement and Reporting Committee (MARC), was recently appointed to the Core Quality Measures Collaborative (CQMC) Steering Committee. MNCM’s current term concludes in December, and Kate will be eligible to seek reappointment at that time. Thank you, Kate, for being willing to take on this role!
CQMC is a broad-based coalition of health care leaders working to facilitate
cross-payer measure alignment through the development of core sets of measures to assess the quality of health care in the United States. Founded in 2015, CQMC is a public-private partnership between America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. It is currently convened by Battelle’s Partnership for Quality Measurement (PQM) in its role as the consensus-based entity.
Members Wanted! Join MNCM’s SCORE Committee
Are you passionate about community engagement, health equity, and connecting data to health care? MNCM is seeking dynamic and creative individuals to join our Strategic Community Outreach for Reporting & Engagement (SCORE) committee.
About the Committee
The SCORE Committee will lead MNCM’s strategic efforts in community engagement and event planning, guiding the content and direction of MNCM’s key communications. The goals of the committee include:
- Enhancing MNCM’s visibility and influence through impactful live and virtual events
- Fostering meaningful engagement with health care providers, payers, policymakers, and the broader community.
- Expanding MNCM’s presence on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram to strengthen connections statewide
Time Commitment
The SCORE Committee will meet four times per year, for approximately 1–1.5 hours per meeting. Additional time may be requested occasionally for event preparation or subcommittee work as needed.
Interested in joining? Apply today!
If you are interested in joining the SCORE committee, please complete the application below:
If you have any questions about the committee, please contact Jess Donovan at donovan@mncm.org.
Looking Ahead: Q4 Preview
November is Diabetes Awareness Month
In honor of Diabetes Awareness Month, MNCM will be releasing an infographic and accompanying blog featuring the Optimal Diabetes Care measure.
As part of this work, we want to spotlight the work that is being done in the community around diabetes. We’d love to hear about what your organization is doing to improve diabetes care across Minnesota – whether through improvement initiatives, events, etc. To have your work featured our blog, please complete this form.
Measurement & Reporting Committee (MARC) – December Meeting
The Measurement & Reporting Committee (MARC) will be meeting virtually on December 3, 2025, from 7:30AM-9:00AM. During this meeting, the committee will continue their discussion on the future of the suite of depression measures and review the slate of measures for public reporting in 2026. All MARC meetings are open to the public; however, only official members can participate in the discussion.
If you’d like to observe the meeting, please complete this form.
Save the Date: MNCM Webinar on Updated Data Retention Policy
Date: Monday, December 2, 2025 | Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM
MNCM will host a webinar for data submitters to provide an overview of its updated Data Retention Policy and plans for implementation in 2025. A detailed brief outlining key updates and next steps will be shared in mid-November, along with information on how to register for the webinar.
In Case You Missed It
Here's a quick recap of the latest community resources and reports from MNCM:
Published Articles
An article authored by Dr. Rowan Mahon, Joseph Bianco, Ma Xiong, and Amy Rothberg, was published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism highlighting the work led by MNCM in the development and testing of obesity measures.
A Learning Health Care Community: Integrating Research and Practice at Scale
An article authored by Leif Solberg, David Kurzon, Elizabeth Cinqueonce, Glyn Elwyn, and Steven Dehmer, that describes the MNCARES project as a learning community collaborative case study, was published in AJMC Population Health, Equity, and Outcomes in September.
Infographics & Blog Posts
National Immunization Awareness Month (August)
Infographic | Blog Post
Sexual Health Awareness Month (September)
Infographic | Blog Post
Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October)
Infographic | Blog Post
Other Blog Posts
Elevating Local Voices: Insights from MNCM’s Regional Community Conversations
Thank You for Joining Us for Our Virtual Event!
In lieu of an in-person annual conference, MNCM hosted a free, virtual event on Wednesday, September 24th from 9:30AM to 12:00PM. Highlights included MN Community Measurement’s unveiling of its 2025–2030 Strategic Plan, a lively discussion on innovative diabetes care partnerships, and powerful insights on community-driven strategies to improve kidney health.
MNCM would like to extend a special thank you to the speakers and members of MNCM’s SCORE committee for making the event a success!
Beyond MNCM
Consortium for State and Regional Interoperability (CSRI) Seeking Public Comment
The Consortium for State and Regional Interoperability (CSRI) is a collection of the nation’s largest health data networks. In October they released a new Health Data Utility (HDU) Capability Model that establishes a method for describing what an HDU can consistently deliver at scale. While the model currently provides a framework for HIEs and other data organizations to assess their maturity level, CSRI has indicated that they envision the model to be used to formally assess HDUs in the future.
Public Comment Information
Period: Now through December 12, 2025
How to Participate: Email feedback to hdu@civitasforhealth.org
Access the model: Civitas Website
Collaboration & Engagement Opportunities
Community Conversation: Help shape Minnesota's new Center for Health Care Affordability
The Minnesota Department of Health’s new Center for Health Care Affordability (the Center) is seeking input to help address issues associated with rising health care costs. The Center is hosting an in-person conversation about the Center and potential opportunities for partnership.
This forum is an opportunity to get to know the Center and help shape its priorities with leaders across Minnesota to make health care more affordable for families, workers, and employers.
Event Details
- What: An in-person conversation to get to know the Center and help shape its priorities
- When: November 20 from 10-11:30 a.m.
- Where: Wilder Foundation Auditorium A, 451 Lexington Parkway N, St Paul, MN 55104
- Who should attend: Advocates, community leaders, and organizations working with Minnesotans facing health care affordability challenges.
- Registration: Registration is not required but is helpful for planning purposes. Please visit Register for a Community Conversation with the Center for Health Care Affordability
Provider and Payer Advisory Task Force for the MDH Center for Health Care Affordability
The MDH Center for Healthcare Affordability is seeking applications for the Provider and Payer Advisory Task Force, which will convene in January 2026. This group will bring together health care providers, insurers, and other health care leaders to ensure the Center for Health Care Affordability’s recommendations reflect on-the-ground expertise and real-word implementation considerations.
Learn more and apply at Board/Commission: Provider and Payer Advisory Task Force.
MDH Artificial Intelligence (AI) Work Group
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is launching a work group aimed at building a better understanding of the considerations, opportunities, and risks for AI in the care continuum. The work group is charged with identifying AI health-related activities, workforce training opportunities, partners and collaborations, and resources to create consensus on next steps for the Minnesota e-Health Initiative’s pursuit of safe, ethical, and effective use of AI across the care continuum.
The workgroup will meet in-person and virtually every 4-6 weeks beginning in November or December 2025. All members of the community are welcome to join the workgroup.
Please contact Kari Guida for more information: Kari.Guida@state.mn.us
MDH Bridging Information and Care Work Group
MDH is also launching a work group that is focused on how Health Information Exchange (HIE) can play a role in bridging the gap between information and care. The work group will serve as a forum to discuss and respond to any HIE-related issues that arise from the e-Health Advisory Committee, MDH and other state agencies, and care partners.
The workgroup will meet in-person and virtually every 4-6 weeks beginning in November or December 2025. All members of the community are welcome to join the workgroup.
Please contact Anne Schloegel for more information: Anne.Schloegel@state.mn.us