Written By: Prairie Business | 8:12 am, Oct. 22, 2021
As they become available, Prairie Business highlights the region's new hires, promotions, and employee achievements. This week's spotlight includes the following:
N.D. immunization director receives Friend of Medicine Award BISMARCK, N.D. • The North Dakota Department of Health’s immunization director and assistant section chief of disease control Molly Howell is the 2021 recipient of the North Dakota Medical Association’s (NDMA) highly coveted Friend of Medicine Award.
The award was announced on Oct. 12 during NDMA’s Annual Meeting. NDMA, a member organization dedicated to protecting physician practices and patient care, created the Friend of Medicine Award in 1999. The award formally acknowledges non-physician citizens who have distinguished themselves by serving as effective advocates for health care, patient services, or the profession of medicine in North Dakota.
Howell was nominated for the award by NDMA member Dr. Joan Connell who said Molly has worked tirelessly to optimize immunization rates throughout our state.
“While Molly’s work in overall immunizations continues, her outstanding efforts to maximize COVID-19 immunizations are recognized by many and serve as a role model for other states,” said Dr. Connell.
The North Dakota Medical Association leadership recognizes that Howell’s achievements and dedication to medicine are outstanding in many areas of her commitment to public health. She is a dedicated professional and does what it takes to get the job done. Sh
e works the extra hours to assure vaccine program details are disseminated throughout the health care networks and the public.
Apex Engineering Group hires senior civil engineer FARGO, N.D. • Barry Glienke brings more than 21 years of municipal engineering experience to his new role at Apex Engineering Group. He joins Apex in the Fargo o
ffice as a senior civil engineer.
Prior to this role, he was a principal engineer at Bolton & Menk, Inc. His educational experience includes a Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree from the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities. He is a licensed professional engineer in North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota.
Accounting assistant joins Houston Engineering FARGO, N.D. • Jackie Thompson joins Houston Engineering, Inc.’s corporate team in Fargo as an accounting assistant.
Thompson will work closely with project managers across the company to prepare client invoices and project reports, assist with accounts payable and data entry, monitor project costs, and assist HEI's accounting team to support projects for employees, clients and vendors.
Originally from New Rockford, N.D., Thompson attended Minnesota State University Moorhead, where she studied studio arts. She has more than a decade of experience in the accounting industry and has also worked in administrative assistant roles. Her vast experience makes her a great addition to HEI’s team.
Essentia Health welcomes neuropsychologist Bess Martin FARGO, N.D. • Bess Martin, PhD, a licensed practitioner in neuropsychology, is thrilled to welcome new patients at Essentia Health in Fargo.
Martin received her education at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif., and completed her fellowship in neuropsychology at the DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan in Detroit.
She said she chose neuropsychology because she enjoys the practical application of knowledge. An MRI or CT scan might tell what areas of a person’s brain have been injured or changed, but a neuropsychologist attempts to look at a patient’s current problems in the context of their history, current medications and psychological factors.
“This helps our patients understand how this impacts different areas of their thinking and behavior to help them adapt and continue to engage in valued activities and relationships,” she said.
Central Payments expands leadership team
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. • Located in South Dakota, Central Payments has expanded its leadership team with the addition of a partner success expert, technology veteran and senior counsel.
In addition to these senior roles, the payments leader has nearly doubled its staff in 2021, leading to buildout of a second location in downtown Sioux Falls, S.D.
Among the many new staff were additions to the leadership team, including Zack Bowen, who joins the team as senior vice president of Partner Success and brings 10 years of experience in building strategic relationships, selling and supporting both direct clients and partners who integrate with digital banking applications, ERP, mobile wallet technology and payment solutions.
Jennifer Boone joined Central Payments as the senior vice president and chief information officer. Boone brings more than two decad
es of experience as a successful leader in the telecommunications industry, including account management, sales engineering, product marketing and service delivery.
Adrian Escalona Jr. joined Central Payments as vice president and senior counsel after spending nearly a decade as in-house counsel in the consumer lending industry. Escalona brings well-rounded experience in regulatory compliance and vendor and partner contract drafting and negotiations.
