David F. Durenberger, National Institute of Health Policy Chair

• Durenberger served as Senior United States Senator (1978-1995) and is currently a senior health policy fellow at the University of St. Thomas and an Advisory Board Chair of the Medical Technology Leadership Forum. He chairs the National Institute of Health Policy, which plays a distinct role in health care reform in the United States. Governor Tim Pawlenty named Durenberger to lead the Minnesota Citizens Forum on Health Care Costs—an inside-out approach to health care reform in Minnesota.

Jay D. Miller, Director, Vital Images, Inc.

• Miller is a healthcare consultant and member of the board of Vital Images, Inc., where he was president and CEO from February 2002 to January 2008. His awards include medical device Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year (2005); Minnesota Innovator of the Year (2006); and CEO of the Year in Medical Imaging (2004).

Manny Villafana, Founder, Chairman, CEO, Kips Bay Medical, LLC

• A serial entrepreneur, Villafana’s latest formation is Kips Bay Medical, where he serves as chairman and CEO. His past start-ups include St. Jude Medical and Cardiac Pacemakers/Guidant, Inc. Villafana is the co-inventor of the first open pivot heart valve, and of the St. Jude heart valve.

Robert Schwartz, Medical Director, Minnesota Cardiovascular Research Institute Professor of Medicine, University of Minnesota

• Dr. Schwartz is a professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota Medical School, a cardiologist at the Minneapolis Heart Institute, and the founder and medical director of the Minnesota Cardiovascular Research Institute. Previously, he was director at the Center for Applied Vascular Biology and Interventions at the Mayo Foundation.

Karen Chapin, Manager of Health Programs, University of Minnesota

• Chapin is the Health Programs manager for the University of Minnesota, where she oversees the long-term care programs for the University’s employees, retirees, and their dependents. A graduate of Gustavus Adolphus, she’s been an active board of directors member for several nonprofit organizations.

Patricia Dennis, Vice President, Health Management, Medica

• At Medica, Dennis is accountable for pharmacy, clinical operations, provider relations, and quality and care management. Dennis joined the 1.4 million member health plan in 2001. She also is a foundation associate in the Women Business Leaders in the U.S. Health Care Industry Foundation, and a fellow in America’s Health Insurance Plans Executive Leadership Program.

Jay Novak, Publisher, Twin Cities Business

• Since 2001, Novak has been publisher and editor of Twin Cities Business, of which he was also founding editor from 1993 through 1995. During the second term of Governor Carlson, he served as commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development, after which he become senior vice president of a Minnesota-based investment banking company.