Contact Us

Rhonda Degelau, Executive Director
Email: rhonda.degelau@mnachc.org
Phone: 612.253.4715, ext 15

Rhonda has been with the Minnesota Association of Community Health Centers since 1992, as Executive Director since 1995. She is a health care attorney with experience in association management, business and government. Prior to MNACHC, Rhonda worked in a variety of legal and business positions in the managed care industry. She holds a BA in English and political science from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN and a JD from Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul, MN. She was admitted to the Minnesota Bar in October, 1983. Rhonda has served on the Boards of Directors of the National Association of Community Health Centers and the Minnesota Center for Rural Health. She has served as President of the Greater Midwest Association of Primary Health Care and on a number of statewide and Governor-appointed committees.

Laura Lipkin, Partnership and Resource Development Director
Email: laura.lipkin@mnachc.org
Phone: 612.253.4715, ext 13

Laura came to work for MNACHC in 2005 after working in various community health centers for more than two decades. She served as Executive Director of Fremont Community Health Services from 1997 to 2005 during which time she was also a MNACHC Board member. Before that Laura held a wide range of roles in Minneapolis CHCs including Director of Programs and Development, Director of Operations, and Health Educator. She has also worked for other nonprofit organizations and has served as an organizational consultant. She holds a BA in history and psychology from Macalester College and an MBA with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from the University of St. Thomas.

Linda Ridlehuber, Quality Improvement Specialist
Email: linda.ridlehuber@mnachc.org
Phone: 612.253.4715, ext 14

Linda began working with Minnesota’s Health Disparity Collaboratives in 2006 through a shared position with the Neighborhood Heath Care Network. She moved to the MNACHC office as full time staff in May 2007. As QI Specialist, she provides training and technical assistance to CHCs and serves as a liaison to key state organizations, including the Minnesota Departments of Health and Human Services, Stratis Health, Minnesota Community Measurement, and ICSI (Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement). As a nurse, she has extensive experience as a quality improvement professional including six years in the Mayo Health System. Her background is in disease management, clinical performance measurement, nursing, and computer information systems. Linda holds a BS in nursing from the University of Minnesota and an MBA with a concentration in Health Care Management from the University of St. Thomas.

Jonathan Watson, Associate Director/Director of Public Policy
Email: jonathan.watson@mnachc.org
Phone: 612.253.4715, ext 11

Jonathan began his work with the Minnesota Association of Community Health Centers in 1996. His background includes public policy analysis, managed care, fiscal analysis, and written and oral presentation. Prior to joining the Association, Jonathan served as a budget and policy analyst for the Wisconsin Department of Health & Family Services where he conducted fiscal and policy analysis on Wisconsin’s Medicaid managed care expansion and on the “Wisconsin Works” welfare reform project. He holds a BA in economics from St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN and a Master’s degree in Public & International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh. Jonathan has also served on a number of statewide committees and task forces.