MINNEAPOLIS — Mohamed Omar says he sees himself in many of Hennepin Healthcare's patients, most of which are people of color.
Less than a week ago, Hennepin Healthcare's board appointed Omar to be its new leader.
He is also the first Somali American hospital board chair in the state. And while Omar says he certainly feels proud and honored, there's part of him that has some mixed feelings.
"I also recognize that being a first comes with its own challenges, because you would have liked to the focus to be on you because you've done something, not because you're the first," he said.
He said after he was elected Wednesday, Oct. 23, his mind went to rearranging the agenda and reviewing goals. His family reminded him that his appointment was a milestone for not just him, but his entire community.
"I was able to then step back and see it from their eyes and through their eyes," said Omar.
Omar comes from a finance background. He currently works as the Chief Administrative Officer for the Washburn Center for Children.
But, he said, his life experiences, immigrating from Somalia, could be even more valuable to his new role.
"After the war, it was very traumatic," he recalled. "And I remember many of those experiences. And as you continue coming to America, assimilating to the culture, you're trying to be successful and achieve the American dream."
And with that, he has experienced healthcare disparities himself.
"Whether it be health outcomes or whether it be even just security being called on you, hours of visitation being allowed different times," he listed. "I know this doesn't happen every day, but when it happens to you, it hurts."
He recognizes there is some trust needs to be rebuilt. Last month, his predecessor, Babette Apland, stepped down and apologized for comments she made during a closed budget meeting.
Apland said over a phone interview, that while they were discussing an increase in costs related to uncompensated care, she mentioned Somali immigrants.
"I meant it as a point of pride that we're taking care of our community," she said.
She received backlash from Hennepin County Commissioners and eventually stepped down from her position as chair.
"The hurtful comments do not reflect the values of our Hennepin Healthcare team, and we deeply regret and apologize for the harm they have caused," said Hennepin Healthcare in a statement.
Apland said she is very supportive of Omar officially taking over the role. At the time, he was already chair-elect and set to transition over to that role.
"I'm very excited that he is in that role, and comes with a strong background," she said.
Omar said the event was unfortunate, and added that the comments did lead to hurt within the Somali community.
"It has a compounding effect and continued stigmatization of that," said Omar. "But what I can share with you is that there was a silver lining that came out of that."
Omar was part of community listening sessions afterwards and was already in line for the chair position when Apland resigned.
Among strengthening the system's relationships with partners and focusing on creating a healthy financial system for the HHC, he says a major goal of his is to emphasize equity, in training, recruitment and patient care.
"Yes, it's a struggle, but one that we have to continue to do the necessary hard work and the hard conversations," said Omar.