InTouch Magazine - Spring/Summer 2001

Board Profiles

For Dr. Karen Blackstone, medical director and vice president for IDS Life Insurance Company - part of American Express Financial Advisors - joining the MHIF board two years ago offered "the opportunity to continue my affiliation with what I consider to be some of the finest physicians I've ever met."

Karen did her internship and residency at Abbott Northwestern Hospital and practiced internal medicine for nearly 10 years, most recently with the Allina Medical Group. "I have known many of the cardiologists since my days as a resident and they are a group that I truly admire."

"Karen has had a long history of providing health care to the community in her capacity as a physician," says Elizabeth Howell, MHIF board chair. "The Foundation is an ideal outlet for her to share her expertise and medical knowledge. MHIF is fortunate to have dedicated health professionals like Karen who are interested in improving the cardiovascular health of our local and regional citizens."

"The Foundation's focus on education and prevention also fits well with my practice interests," says Karen, who serves on the board's education and board development committees.

She is a member of a number of professional associations, including the Twin Cities Medical Directors Association, the Midwest Medical Directors Association and the American Academy of Insurance Medicine.

She lives in Shorewood with her husband, Scott Pederson, who also works for American Express, and their two Labradors, Buddy and Otter.

Craig Bentdahl, president of Excel Bank, joined the Foundation's board of directors last year as its first "second generation" board member - his father, Ray, served as a director for almost 15 years and was chairman for three.

"The excellent cardiac physicians here saved my father's life twice, so I have a very personal appreciation of the need to continually develop new and better methods for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease," said Craig. "MHIF is also a vital part of the effort to build the new Heart Hospital, which will be a tremendous asset to our community," he said. "It's an important undertaking that I'm proud to be a part of."

"We are very fortunate to have Craig on our board," said Dr. Ford Bell, MHIF president. "He is an active participant on the executive committee, and his years of experience in the financial world are extremely helpful to us."

Craig earned a BA from Bates College and an MBA from Boston College, worked at the Bank of Boston (now Fleet Boston) and Chase Manhattan and returned to Minneapolis in 1990 to join Excel Bank.

Craig also serves on the board of the Council of Growing Companies, and his community involvement has included the Collaborative, United Way and the Minnesota High Tech Association.

Craig lives in Edina with his wife, Stephanie Simon, and their daughter Kelly.