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Statewide Trauma System

  • Trauma System Home
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  • Trauma Advisory Council
  • Regional Advisory Committees
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  • Hospital Resources
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Collaborative Partnerships

  • MDH Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
  • MDH Injury & Violence Prevention Section
  • MDH Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery
  • MIDAS
  • CALS
  • MN Ambulance Association
  • MN Emergency Medical Services for Children
  • MN Hospital Association
  • MN Trauma Registry Alliance
  • Office of Emergency Medical Services
  • Office of Traffic Safety
  • Toward Zero Deaths

Statewide Trauma System

  • Trauma System Home
  • About Us
  • Trauma Advisory Council
  • Regional Advisory Committees
  • e-Trauma Update
  • Publications
  • Emergency Medical Services
  • Education
  • Hospital Resources
  • Performance Improvement
  • System Hospitals
  • Trauma Registry
  • Statute
  • FAQs
  • Calendar of Events

Collaborative Partnerships

  • MDH Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
  • MDH Injury & Violence Prevention Section
  • MDH Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery
  • MIDAS
  • CALS
  • MN Ambulance Association
  • MN Emergency Medical Services for Children
  • MN Hospital Association
  • MN Trauma Registry Alliance
  • Office of Emergency Medical Services
  • Office of Traffic Safety
  • Toward Zero Deaths
Contact Info
Statewide Trauma System
651-201-4147
health.trauma@state.mn.us

Contact Info

Statewide Trauma System
651-201-4147
health.trauma@state.mn.us

Minnesota Statewide Trauma System
State Trauma Advisory Council (STAC)

The State Trauma Advisory Council was established by legislation to advise, consult with and make recommendations to the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health regarding the development, maintenance and improvement of the statewide trauma system.

Operating Procedures (PDF) Rev. 2018
Mission and Vision


Meetings

Meetings are held at the Plymouth Community Center, 14800 34th Ave. N., Plymouth, MN, from 12:30-3:30.
Note: This is a location change.

Audio and video of the meetings are streamed through Microsoft Teams: State Trauma Advisory Council (STAC) Teams Meeting Link

2026 Meeting dates

  • Tuesday, March 3, 2026
  • Tuesday, June 2, 2026 
  • Tuesday, September 15, 2026
  • Tuesday, December 8, 2026

Agendas & Minutes 

2025

  • December 9, 2025 Agenda (PDF)
  • September 9, 2025 Minutes (PDF)
  • June 3, 2025 Minutes (PDF)
  • March 4, 2025 Minutes (PDF)

Members of the State Trauma Advisory Council (STAC)

NameAffiliationTerm End Date
Thomas Pahl, PA-C; Chair
Rural Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner
Glacial Ridge Health System, GlenwoodJanuary 3, 2028
Julie Gutzmer, M.D.; Vice Chair
Rural General Surgeon
Lake Region Healthcare, Fergus FallsJanuary 3, 2028
Tami Bong, R.N.
Level 1 or 2 Trauma Program Manager
St. Cloud HospitalJanuary 4, 2027
Rick Breuer
Rural Hospital Administrator
Community Memorial Hospital, CloquetJanuary 3, 2028
Peter Tanghe, M.D.
State EMS Director
Minnesota EMS DirectorOEMS Determined
Kris Drevlow, D.O.
Rural Level 3 or 4 Family Medicine Emergency Physician
Allina Health Medical Center, FaribaultJanuary 4, 2027
Mark Ebeling, Paramedic
Rural EMS Attendant or Ambulance Director 
Perham Area EMSJanuary 4, 2027
Kim Johnson, R.N.
Level 3 or 4 Trauma Program Manager
New Ulm Medical CenterJanuary 3, 2028
Farha Ikramuddin, M.D.
Rehabilitation Specialist
University of MinnesotaJanuary 4, 2027
Robert Jacobs, M.D.
Orthopedic Surgeon
St. Cloud HospitalJanuary 4, 2027
Denise Klinkner, M.D.
Pediatrician or Pediatric Surgeon
Mayo Clinic Hospital Saint Marys CampusJanuary 4, 2027
Jordan Haltaufderheid
Commissioner of Public Safety Designee
Designated by the Commissioner of Public SafetyCommissioner determined
John Lyng, M.D.
Emergency Medicine Physician
North Memorial Health Hospital, RobbinsdaleJanuary 4, 2027
Michael McGonigal, M.D.
Level 1 or 2 Trauma Surgeon
Regions Hospital, St. PaulJanuary 3, 2028
Kyle Nelson, M.D.
Level 1 or 2 Neurosurgeon
North Memorial Health Hospital, RobbinsdaleJanuary 3, 2028

Subcommittees

Applicant Review Committee

Charge

The Applicant Review Committee (ARC) evaluates applications for trauma hospital designation and site visit reports before they are presented to the State Trauma Advisory Council (STAC).

Meetings

The Applicant Review Committee meets via teleconference. A meeting is canceled if there are no materials ready for review two weeks prior to the scheduled meeting date. Meetings of the Applicant Review Committee are closed to the public due to the sensitive nature of the material discussed.

  • January 20, 2026
  • February 17, 2026
  • March 24, 2026
  • April 21, 2026
  • May 19, 2026
  • June 23, 2026
  • July 21, 2026
  • August 25, 2026
  • September 29, 2026
  • October 28, 2026
  • November 24, 2026
  • December 22, 2026

Members

NameProfessional Role
Julie Gutzmer, M.D.Rural General Surgeon
Thomas Pahl, PA-CRural Physician Assistant
Tami Bong, R.N.Level 1 or 2 Trauma Program Manager
Michael McGonigal, M.D.Level 1 or 2 Trauma Surgeon
Kim JohnsonLevel 3 or 4 Trauma Program Manager
Kris Drevlow, D.O.Level 3 or 4 Family Medicine Emergency Physician

Executive Committee

Charge

The Executive Committee consists of the State Trauma Advisory Council (STAC) chair and vice-chair and is responsible for conducting the interim business of the STAC. The Chair, in consultation with staff, determines the need to include other STAC members on an ad hoc basis based on their availability, interest and/or expertise in the topic of interest before the Committee. Members of the Executive Committee must be STAC members.

Meetings

The Executive Committee meets via teleconference, as needed. Contact health.trauma@state.mn.us for more details.

Members

NameProfessional Role
Thomas Pahl, PA-C - ChairRural Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner representative
Julie Gutzmer, M.D. - Vice ChairRural General Surgeon representative
Rick BruerRural Hospital Administrator

Joint Policy Committee

Charge

The Joint Policy Committee (JPC) is made up of three chair-appointed members from both the Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) and the Minnesota Department of Health's State Trauma Advisory Council (STAC). The Committee's primary task is to drive the coordinated development of a fully integrated statewide trauma system with clear goals and objectives.

To achieve this, the Joint Policy Committee will:

  • Maximize the efficacy of the existing administrative structure of OEMS and the MDH Trauma System Program to achieve consensus on policies and approaches to reach mutually beneficial goals
  • Meet routinely - ongoing
  • Analyze the American College of Surgeons 2007 Trauma System Consultation Report, establish priorities and determine necessary modifications
  • Provide regular activity updates at OEMS and STAC meetings
  • Assure the primacy of a statewide focus in all discussions, deliberations, and recommendations
  • Provide advisory recommendations to the OEMS and the STAC

Resources

  • MDH Trauma Program - lead staff support to the committee
  • State EMS Medical Director
  • OEMS supervisory staff as available
  • American College of Surgeons Consultation Final Report
  • 2006 Health Resources and Services Administration Model Trauma System Planning and Evaluation tool
  • Networking through the National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO) and its National Trauma Managers Council
  • MNSTAR and MNTrauma registries

Meetings

The Joint Policy Committee meets by teleconference on an as needed basis. Contact health.trauma@state.mn.us for more details.

Members

NameAffiliationAssociation
Rick BreuerCommunity Memorial Hospital, CloquetSTAC
Michael McGonigal, M.D.Regions HospitalSTAC
Kris Drevlow, D.O.Allina Health Faribault Medical CenterSTAC
Anthony Chu, R.N. OEMS
Vacant OEMS
Vacant OEMS
Tami Bong, R.N. (Alternate)St.Cloud HospitalSTAC
Paula Kocken, M.D. (Alternate)Children's MinnesotaOEMS
Tags
  • trauma system
Last Updated: 01/23/2026

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