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About this race
Hospital districts are independent political entities that govern a health system. Cities, townships and unorganized areas can choose to join a hospital district, meaning residents support the hospital through their property taxes and people from those areas can run for the board of directors.
The Northern Itasca Hospital District has owned Bigfork Valley since 1975. The hospital district includes the cites of Bigfork, Effie and Big Falls, the townships of Bigfork, Marcell, Stokes, Carpenter, Pomroy and Wirt and unorganized areas of Itasca and Koochiching counties.
Carol Ann Gilbertson currently holds the Itasca at large seat on the 13-member Board, meaning she represents all areas of Itasca County that are in the hospital district.
Teresa Kittridge, who represents Marcell Township on the Board, is not running for reelection.
The winner of the election will begin their four-year term in January.
Click the tabs below to learn more about the candidates
Age on Election Day: 68
Community: Bigfork, Stokes Township
Employment: no, retired
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
I have been a registered nurse for over 45 years and with my critical care work history, caring for and about people is central to my being. In addition to spending time as a RN in hospitals, I have worked in the Medicare office, as a data analyst, an investigator, a quality assurance specialist and an employee trainer. I began volunteering at the Bigfork Valley Hospital Gift Nest when it reopened in 2025; I have had the honor and privilege to be on the Board of Directors of three 501(c)3 organizations in the past.
Why are you running?
As an interested community member, I have attended most of the Bigfork Hospital District Regular Board and Finance Committee Meetings for the past three years, which has sparked my interest in running for this position.
Why should voters elect you?
I feel a strong and growing local hospital will directly improve the well-being of the communities it serves. My goal is to contribute to our hospital by serving to the best of my ability if elected to the Board of Directors.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
Bigfork Valley Hospital District, Board Member At Large Itasca (Northern Itasca)
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
Mother Teresa gave her entire life to serving people who needed help and hope.
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific goals.
To review the issues, data, and to use this information to make decisions that will maintain the hospital as a thriving and vital part of the community.
Incumbent
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Age on Election Day: 56
Community: Marcell Minnesota
Employment: Essentia Health Senior Director Middle Revenue
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
Over 20 years of experience in healthcare as a Registered Nurse and a small business owner in Itasca County.
Why are you running?
Lend my experience and ensure rural MN has accessible healthcare for many.
Why should voters elect you?
With over 20 years in the healthcare field both at the bedside and behind the scenes in Revenue Cycle, I can help work through problems, thought partner on solutions while supporting the community I live in.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
Hospital Board member
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
I am a practical leader defined by clear judgment, steady follow‑through, and a bias toward action. I focus on solving real problems rather than chasing abstract ideals, using operational thinking to break big challenges into manageable steps. My communication is direct and grounded, and build trust by being consistent, transparent, and hands‑on. It’s important to listen closely, collaborate widely, and make decisions based on evidence, community needs, and workable solutions rather than ego or theatrics. Visual leader whose impact is seen — smoother processes, stronger teams, and problems actually getting fixed.
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific goals.
Learn and listen to current challenges within rural healthcare impacting Bigfork Valley Hospital while looking at future change.
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Still have questions for the candidates? Contact information for all those who've filed to run for office can be found at candidates.sos.state.mn.us.
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