Versique Search & Consulting client, Hennepin County, Minnesota hires Sara Hollie, MPH, as new Public Health Director
Matt Anderson, Senior Practice Director of Healthcare Leadership at Versique worked in partnership with Hennepin County, Minnesota, to hire Sara Hollie, MPH, following the retirement of Susan Palchick, PhD.
After the Hennepin County Board unanimously approved the appointment of Ms. Hollie, as the new Director of Public Health; Angela Conley, Commissioner, 4th District, commented, “Former Director Susan Palchick has worked hard, and we thank her for her service to the County! I look forward to our partnership with Sara and how we can continue to build equity into Hennepin’s public health systems.”
At the request of Hennepin County, Versique launched an exhaustive national recruitment effort in their search for candidates that would bring experience with large, diverse populations, at either the city, county, or state level. Finalist candidates came from across the country with graduate level degrees in Public Health, Epidemiology, and Public Affairs. Versique worked with Health Equity Officers, networked with Special Caucuses, and eliminated staunch position requirements to cast a wide net to ensure inclusion and promote a vastly unique candidate pool.
Ms. Hollie’s 20 years of experience clearly shined through having most recently served as the Director of Saint Paul-Ramsey County Public Health Department, St. Paul, Minnesota. Beyond her work with the county and previous experience with the state, Ms. Hollie is also a radio host of KMOJ’s 89.9 FM Know Your Options show that provides information and resources to communities most impacted by disparities. Ms. Hollie has a Master of Public Health in Administration and Policy from the University of Minnesota, School of Public Health and a Bachelor of Arts in Women’s Studies from the University of Minnesota. Raised in North Minneapolis and as a graduate of North High School, the role and work for her is very personal and represents a bit of a homecoming.
“I’m honored and excited by the opportunity to develop a shared vision for Public Health that is targeted toward improving the health of communities most impacted by race/ethnic-based disparities, and social determinants of health in Hennepin County,” said Ms. Hollie. “I look forward to working with community, staff and leadership to further build a culture of collaboration and influence that drives forward the public health vision and mission with creativity and innovation at all levels, and that is intentional in centering and connecting community through shared decision making that truly impacts the overall health and wellness of residents in Hennepin County.”
Hennepin County, Minnesota, is the state’s most populous county, home to over 1.2 million residents. The county is known for its vibrant urban areas, diverse cultural scene, and extensive park systems, including the Chain of Lakes and the Mississippi River waterfront. The county is a major economic hub, with key industries in healthcare, education, and technology, anchored by institutions like the University of Minnesota and major companies such as Target and General Mills. It also boasts a strong commitment to sustainability and public services, making it a dynamic and forward-looking region in the Upper Midwest.
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About Versique Search & Consulting:
Versique Search and Consulting is a national recruitment firm, based in the Twin Cities, that offers clients a full spectrum of talent services including executive search, permanent placement/direct hire, and consulting/interim/fractional solutions. Specializing within a variety of industries, Versique’s team of seasoned search professionals have decades of experience and can provide advisory and partnership to ensure that the right executive placement adds immeasurable value to your business. See the full breadth of our practice areas and industries here.
