Patti Banks, CEO of Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital
in Ely, Minnesota

This year’s recipient has championed rural healthcare excellence with an unwavering commitment to community, compassion, and innovation. With a career spanning more than three decades, she has devoted her life to improving access and quality of care in small towns across northern Minnesota. She is recognized as a servant leader who models humility, fosters trust, and inspires collaboration among her team, physicians, and community partners alike.

Patti began her healthcare career in the activities department of a long-term care facility, where she first witnessed the power of personal connection in patient care. Her journey since then has touched nearly every aspect of healthcare — from quality and patient safety to credentialing and project management, including leading Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital’s successful transition to the Epic Electronic Medical Record system. Before becoming CEO, Patti served as Chief Operating Officer, earning respect across all levels of the organization for her balance of operational excellence and people-first leadership.

Her professional growth has been matched by her commitment to lifelong learning:

• • She earned her Associate of Arts, Liberal Arts degree from Vermilion Community College in 1998
  • Her Bachelor’s Degree, History/American Studies from University of Minnesota in 1991
  • Her Long-Term Care Administration Certificate from the University of Minnesota in 2002
  • And her Master of Health Administration from the University of Phoenix in 2025

Patti’s leadership extends far beyond the walls of her hospital:

• • She has served on the Minnesota Hospital Association Board, advocating for the sustainability of rural hospitals across the state
  • She also contributes her time and expertise to the Minnesota EMS Board and the Ely Area Community Foundation, championing initiatives that strengthen the health and vitality of her community
  • Under her leadership, Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital has cultivated a culture of engagement, transparency, and forward-thinking adaptability, empowering staff and physicians to find innovative solutions in an ever-changing healthcare environment

It’s clear that Patti’s leadership has left an indelible mark, not only on her organization, but on rural healthcare as a whole.

Patti Banks embodies what it means to be a local leader with a global vision. She has elevated Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital into a beacon of rural healthcare innovation — while remaining grounded in compassion and community service. Her dedication ensures that residents of northern Minnesota can continue to receive world-class care close to home — now, and for generations to come.

We celebrate this year’s Founder’s Award Recipient, Patti Banks.