Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota Announces Scott Leitz as New Director of Child Health Policy and Advocacy

MINNEAPOLIS and ST. PAUL, Minn., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota today announced the hiring of Scott Leitz to serve as Director of Child Health Policy and Advocacy. Leitz comes to Children's with more than 15 years of health policy experience in Minnesota and is recognized as a leader in the health policy sector within the Minnesota state legislature.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091029/CG01324 )

In his role as director Leitz will be responsible for developing and executing a child health advocacy agenda to enhance Children's of Minnesota's effectiveness as the voice for children. Leitz will work with key stakeholders in the community to address child health policy concerns and will act as Children's expert on legislative policy issues impacting health care

"Scott has an exceptional background in health policy, and also understands the complexity of the legislative process," said Alan L. Goldbloom, MD, president and CEO, Children's of Minnesota. "In his new role, he will lead our efforts, in collaboration with community partners and legislators, to improve the health of children in our region and across the country."

"Amidst daily talk of health reform, both in Minnesota and nationally, I'm looking forward to giving a voice to children who otherwise might not be heard," said Leitz. "I'm excited about working to address the needs of our children today, especially if it will mean a brighter and healthier future for them as adults. I look forward to being a Children's team-member and making a difference in the lives of families across the state."

Leitz previously served as Assistant Commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and has served in a variety of roles within the department over the past 15 years. Most recently, Leitz oversaw passage and implementation of Minnesota's most comprehensive health reform law in 15 years and has served as a key external voice on health policy issues within Governor Tim Pawlenty's administration. Leitz received a master's in public affairs from the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs and a bachelor of science from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire.

About Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
Serving as Minnesota's children's hospital since 1924, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota is the seventh-largest pediatric health care organization in the United States, with 332 staffed beds at its two hospitals in St. Paul and Minneapolis. An independent, not-for-profit health care system, Children's of Minnesota provides care through more than 14,000 inpatient visits and more than 200,000 emergency room and other outpatient visits every year. Children's is the only Minnesota hospital system to provide comprehensive care exclusively to children. For more information, visit www.childrensmn.org.