Rice Memorial Hospital top official Lawrence Massa is resigning to become the top leader of the Minnesota Hospital Association.
MHA's president and chief executive position is an excellent opportunity for Massa. We wish him congratulations in his new challenge.
Massa's move will be a loss for Rice Memorial Hospital, Willmar's primary medical facility.
Massa brought a wide range of experience -- working as a former Iowa hospital official and serving as South Dakota's secretary of health -- to Willmar.
Under Massa's tenure, Rice completed a $53 million expansion and renovation in 2006.
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Massa helped develop a joint venture with Affiliated Community Medical Centers to establish an integrated cancer care and medical imaging operations.
And in 2007 Rice established a dental clinic and training center in partnership with the University of Minnesota School Of Dentistry.
These are all major steps for the city-owned hospital which has developed and maintains a regional presence in west central Minnesota.
Along with providing needed medical care, Rice is a major Willmar employer, with a $38 million payroll and 900 employees.
Massa played a critical role in the growth, renovation and expansion of Rice. His leadership at the hospital and in the community will be missed.
