Mark A. Aho, MBA, CFP®, CIMA®, Senior Vice President--Branch Manager Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC:
Mark was appointed to the MGHS Board of Trustees in 2003, and was appointed vice-chairman in 2008. He currently serves as the treasurer.

Mark is chair of the Board’s Governance Committee, is vice-chair of the Board’s Executive Committee, and is a member of the Board’s Finance Committee.

Mark earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business administration from NMU. A Rotarian and past-president of Marquette Rotary West, Mark has served on a number of boards, including the Marquette Board of Light and Power, the Marquette County Community Foundation and the Marquette Area Chamber of Commerce.

Mark and his wife, Julie, live in Marquette, and have two children, Christina and Ross.

Daniel Arnold, MD: Dr. Arnold is a semi-retired medical oncologist. He practiced in Marquette for over 30 years. He has previously served as Chief of Staff of Marquette General Hospital, President of Congregation Beth Sholom in Ishpeming, and as Chair of the Marquette General Foundation. He is currently President of the Board of Directors of the Marquette General Foundation and the President of the Board of Trustees of the Marquette Symphony Orchestra.

“Few of us appreciate how much in life is not completely paid for by user fees and taxes, whether it be the public library, symphony music, or medical care. It is the obligation of all of us to contribute to the limits of our abilities to make sure that these services remain available to all the residents of our communities.”

Joseph Brzezinski, MD: Dr. Brzezinski is a Board Certified Pediatrician who started at MGHS in 1998. He is a graduate of Michigan State Medical School and completed his residency at Spectrum Health. Joe is married to Sherry and they have two young boys. He has served on the Marquette General Foundation Board almost since the inception and is on the Board Development Committee. Joe is also active with the local “Think First Program” which encourages school-age children to wear proper safety equipment when biking and participating in other sports and activities. Joe is active in his church and with the Catholic Diocese.

Mark Canale: A Marquette native, Mark Canale is owner and president of Canale-Tonella Funeral Home in Marquette and Canale-Gwinn Funeral Home in Gwinn. He has been active in funeral service in the Marquette area since 1986. Mark is a 1979 graduate of the University of Minnesota Department of Mortuary Science. A firm believer in community involvement, Mark currently serves as board chair of the U.P. Catholic Credit Union, co-president of the Marquette West Rotary Club, vice president of the Marquette Community Foundation, and also sits on the board of the Northern Michigan University Blue Line Club and St. Peter Cathedral Development Committee. He is a past president of Catholic Charities of the U.P. Mark is a Knight of Columbus and a member of Marquette Elks Lodge. In 2004, he was invited to join the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

“No matter what our upbringing or station in life, we are all individually called to give generously and joyfully.”

Robb Ferguson: D. Robb Ferguson, Attorney, opened his practice in Munising in 1981. Raised in Traverse City, he did his undergraduate work at Alma College, and completed studies at Suffolk University Law School in Boston in 1980. He has been the Munising City Attorney for twenty seven years. His private practice focus is in real estate law, estate planning, and business law. He is a longtime member of the Rotary Club of Munising, serving three terms as president. He was instrumental in creating and initially funding the Alger Regional Community Foundation, and served for a number of years on its Board of Directors. He is past president of the Alger County Historical Society, and past president of the Alger, Luce, and Schoolcraft Counties Bar Association.

"My wife of thirty-one years, Linda, is a breast cancer survivor. We intend to make Shelter Bay our home for as long as God is willing to allow us to stay. Through Linda, I experienced the very high-quality medical care we have available to our community from MGH. Quite selfishly, we want that high quality in care to be available to us, and our family and friends, as we grow older. We also believe deeply in giving back to our community that has given us so much. It is crucial that MGH thrives. I want to do what I can, working with the Marquette General Foundation, to ensure that happens."

Jim Gegare: Jim was born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Jim and his wife, Rosemary, have five children, four step-children and six grandchildren. Jim moved to the Upper Peninsula in 2001 for semi-retirement and for opportunities to ski, fish, hunt, sail and take part in the many other activities available in the U.P. In 1958, Jim and father co-founded Gegare Tile, Inc. Gegare Tile, Inc. has completed numerous floor and ceiling projects in many hospitals, schools, offices, shopping centers, etc., throughout Northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, including the emergency addition at MGH. Jim has been active with various Boards of Education, Parish Councils, Habitat for Humanity and the Ceilings and Interior Contractors. "I have an affinity for health care. My first wife died of cancer, and when you lose somebody like that, you learn to count your own blessings and realize that good health is a gift. I’ve had other relatives and close friends also die from cancer. It’s important to give something back. So, I’m happy to be on the Marquette General Foundation Board."

Bill Hetrick: Bill Hetrick is President of Hetrick & Associates Insurance Agency. The agency was honored by Rough Notes Magazine as Marketing Agency of the year for 2006. Bill has a long history of regional leadership. He was a charter board member and President of the YMCA of Marquette County. He has served for 12 years, including serving as Past President, on The Downtown Development Authority for the City of Marquette. Bill has been a Eucharistic Minister at Marquette General Hospital for 27 years. He has been a Mentor in the Student Leader Fellowship program at Northern Michigan University since the program inception. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge of Marquette and has been an active member of the Marquette Rotary Club for 28 years, serving as its President in 1990-91. He is a charter member of The Marquette General Foundation. He is a member of the Newberry Elks Club, joining the Elks in 1976. He was named Person of the year by the Lake Superior Community Partnership in 1976. He has been a member of St. Michael’s Parish since 1975. Bill and his wife, Jean, have been married for 33 years. They have 3 children Ryan, Brett, and Tavis. “It is essential to have balance in life, both in your activities and financially.”

John P. Bartlett, MD

Dr. Bartlett joined the Marquette General Foundation Board of Directors in January 2009 because of his position as Chief of Staff.  He has greatly enjoyed working with Foundation on projects such as the Blueprint 4 Health Center. Dr. Bartlett elected to resume his position on the Board after his Chief of Staff duties and was elected as an official board member in February 2011.

Dr. Bartlett joined the medical staff of MGHS in 2003 and continues his clinical practice as a partner in Marquette Internal Medicine and Pediatric Associates, PC, located in the Peninsula Medical Center.

Board certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Dr. Bartlett completed his residency at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids. He earned his medical degree from the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, and his undergraduate degree from MSU.

An Upper Peninsula native and a graduate of Gladstone High School, Dr. Bartlett and his wife, Brett, have three children, Sophie, Sam and Lucy. Dr. Bartlett and his family are members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. He enjoys reading fiction, playing basketball, running, mountain biking, skiing and camping with his family.

A. Gary Muller, FACHE: Before joining MGHS in 2007 as President and CEO, Gary served the past nine years as President and CEO of West Jefferson Medical Center in Marrero, Louisiana, a 462-bed hospital and health system in the metropolitan New Orleans area. A Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (F.A.C.H.E.), Gary holds an MBA from the University of Florida and bachelor’s degree in business administration from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Gary has held leadership roles in the Louisiana Hospital Association, the New Orleans Metropolitan Hospital Council, Catholic Charities of New Orleans, Florida Hospital Association, the American Hospital Association (AHA) House of Delegates and the AHA Regional Policy Board, and as an advisory board member at the University of Florida College of Health Professions.

Gary has been active in community life throughout his career. He served as president of chambers of commerce in several communities and held leadership positions in community, state, and national organizations. Born in Texas, Muller traveled extensively while growing up, and met his wife, Sandi, while they were in high school together in New Orleans. Sandi was born in Muskegon, Michigan, and the Mullers have a Centennial family home near Traverse City in Bellaire, Michigan. Their two grown children live in Houston, Texas. Gary’s personal interests include golf and college sports.

John D. Weiss, MD: Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. Weiss and his family have lived in Marquette since 1978. Dr. Weiss attended Medical School at the University of Tennessee and completed his Residencies at the University of Tennessee and the University of Colorado. Dr. Weiss is a staff Pathologist at Marquette General Hospital and serves as the Director of the MGHS Laboratory system, the MGH Reference Lab, President of the Upper Peninsula Physicians, LLC, Co-Director of Hematology, Medical Director of the Northern Michigan University Medical Technology Program, is Chairman of the Transfusion Committee, an active participant in Tumor Board, and is the Assistant Medical Examiner for Marquette.

Dr. Weiss is active in the community and has been a Marquette General Foundation Board member since its inception, is a past President of Temple Beth Shalom, and past President of the Marquette Area Public Schools. In his free time, Dr. Weiss enjoys swimming, cycling, reading, gardening, cooking and spending time with his animals. He and his wife, Retha, have two children, four birds, two cats and two dogs. “One of the purest expressions of generosity and concern for others is the gift that is utterly anonymous.”

Jim Grundstrom

Jim was appointed to the Marquette General Foundation Board of Directors in 2008.

He earned his BS from Northern Michigan University in 1973.

Jim currently serves as the President of Frei Chevrolet, Inc. and has been with them since 1964 in various capacities. Jim is very active in the community and serves on the Lake Superior Community Partnership, Marquette Ambassadors, Marquette Rotary, United States Coast Guard and has many other memberships and affiliations. Jim has a passion for teaching outdoor emergency care and is very active with the National and Marquette Mountain Ski Patrols.

Jim and his wife Pam live in Marquette and have two children, Jill and Andrew.

J. Michael Coyne, MD

J. Michael Coyne, MD, is an employed physician with U.P. Rehab Medicine Associates, P.C.

The co-founder of the Marquette Community Foundation, Dr. Coyne was very active in local government in the 1980s, having served as the mayor of the City of Marquette on three separate occasions. Over the last decade, Dr. Coyne has been very involved in philanthropic ventures. He’s the president of the Board of Directors for the Bay Cliff Health Camp, is co-founder of the Marquette Community Foundation and is a member of Marquette Rotary West. He also serves as vice president of the Board of Directors for Propylon. Dr. Coyne joined the Marquette General Foundation board in April 2009.

In his spare time, he enjoys golfing, sailing, fishing, skiing, moose hunting and community service.

“I wanted to become involved with the Marquette General Foundation as a way of paying back what Marquette General has done for me,” Dr. Coyne said. “I want to be part of the exciting things that are happening.”

Carolyn Severson

Carolyn Severson has been a serious volunteer in Marquette during the eighteen years that she and her husband Burns O., III (Steve) have resided here.  While their son, Burns, was young she was an active volunteer in the schools.  She has been a member of the Marquette General Hospital Auxiliary (now MGH Volunteers) since January, 1994 and has served on the MGH Volunteers Board for many years in several positions.  She is currently serving as Past Chief Volunteer Officer.  She also serves on the Beacon House Board of Directors, the Marquette General Foundation Board, and on the Michigan Association of Healthcare Advocates as Vendor Coordinator.  She has held several offices in P. E.O., a Philanthropic Organization that promotes the education of women.  Carolyn has been active at the First Presbyterian Church and continues to serve as a Stephen’s Minister.

Her work experience includes working as a Production Planning Specialist at the corporate level of Baxter Travenol in Deerfield, Illinois, and Production Planning Manager for a Deering Milliken Plant in LaGrange, Georgia.

She received her Master’s in Business Administration - Management from Georgia College, which is a part of the University of Georgia system. Burns (Steve) Severson has recently retired from Pioneer Surgical Technologies.  They have a son, Burns IV.

Shelby Bischoff

Shelby Bischoff is the Assistant Vice President and Business Development Officer with mBank in Marquette.

Shelby has taken a very active role in community service. She sits on the Alzheimer’s Memory Walk Committee/Regional Council for GM Chapter; is president of the Marquette Affordable Housing Board; and is a member of Zontas International/Z-Club for high school girls.

A native of Ohio, Shelby has played an active role in the Marquette General Foundation’s annual Paint the Rink Pink fund-raiser for breast cancer research; has taken part in the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics; and is an avid supporter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). “I truly believe in always doing the right thing in my personal and business relationships. In doing so, good things will come back to you 10-fold.”

Away from work, Shelby enjoys golfing, fishing, outdoor activities and following Ohio State football. Her favorite quote is from William Penn: “I expect to pass through life but once. If, therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.”

Shelby and her husband, Tim, reside in Big Bay.

Dr. Robert Blotter was elected Chief of Staff at MGHS January 1, 2011.

As Chief of Staff, Dr. Blotter chairs the medical staff executive committee. This committee includes physician representatives elected by their peers from the nine medical staff departments including emergency medicine, family medicine, medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics-gynecology, pathology, pediatrics psychiatry, radiology, and surgery. He is a member of the Board's Quality Committee.

Dr. Blotter joined the medical staff of MGHS in 1999 and continues his clinical practice as a partner of Orthopaedic Surgery Associates of Marquette, P.C., located in the Upper Peninsula Medical Center. Board certified in Orthopaedic Surgery, Dr. Blotter completed his residency at the University of California - Davis. He earned his medical degree from The Ohio State University, and his undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University.

Dr. Blotter and his wife Tami, have six children, Jacob, Lindsay, Ian, Emily, Jessica and Tyler. He enjoys running and swimming, and is active in the Boy Scouts of America.

Rick Schaefer:

Rick Schaefer is the former Director of Administration & Finance of the Diocese of Marquette. A certified public accountant, Schaefer retired nearly three years ago.

A member of St. Louis Catholic Church in Harvey, Schaefer is actively involved in a number of community activities. He serves on the finance committee of the Bay Cliff Health Camp; sits on the Diocese of Marquette Catholic School Board; is chairman of the Marquette General Health System Board of Directors; and sits on the finance committee of St. Louis Catholic Church.

He lives in Marquette with his wife, Mary Kaye. “The opportunity to give back to the community is a special privilege for all the care our family has received from Marquette General healthcare providers,” he said. “I’m proud to be able to contribute in a small way to improve health care in the Upper Peninsula.” In retirement, Schaefer enjoys fishing, visiting his children and grandchildren, and watching baseball, football and basketball.