Judy Shank

Judy Shank is a retired physician who first had a career as a nursing educator. She has a history of community service in health-care delivery and policy, the arts and fund raising. She was an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Boston University. After completing medical school and residency at the University of Minnesota, she founded a private dermatology practice. She was also a Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of Minnesota. She has served as the President of the Minnesota Medical Association, chaired their task force on healthcare reform, and was Chair of the Minnesota Medical Foundation, the fund-raising arm for the University of Minnesota School of Medicine. She was Vice Chair of the Board of Allina Health Systems, which at that time was the largest health care provider and employer in Minnesota. She was a founding board member of Hennepin Health Systems, a public safety net hospital. While there, she helped establish a philanthropic foundation for the hospital and became its first chair. Judy currently serves on the Sarasota Area Board of United Way Sun Coast, and SPOON Foundation. Spoon Foundation is the first and only organization dedicated to transforming nutrition and feeding for children, with and without disabilities, in orphanages and foster care around the world. Along with her husband, Steve, she serves as Co-Chair of the National Advisory Committee of the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. Steve is the former CEO of the Tonka Toy Company and more recently founded Capella Education Company, the first wholly online university. The Shanks have two daughters and two grandchildren.