Mr. Walz serves as president and CEO of Madelia Health, leading strategy, operations and financial stewardship for a 25-bed critical access hospital and rural health system. Since stepping into the role in early 2023, he guided the organization through a financial and cultural turnaround, delivering its first positive net income in several years through disciplined cost controls, revenue cycle refinement and service line optimization. He has expanded and strengthened access across core services including emergency care, surgery, behavioral health, clinics, therapy and pharmacy, while advancing strategic growth into underserved communities. Mr. Walz has built a transparent, trust-based culture that has supported caregiver retention exceeding 90% and earned “Best Workplace” from Star Tribune in 2024 and 2025, as well as the Minnesota Hospital Association’s “Exceptional Hospital Workplace Award” for 2024. He also drives rural collaboration and advocacy as founding CEO of the Headwaters High Value Network and vice president of Medi-Sota. He serves as a Minnesota American College of Healthcare Executives regent after previously serving as national president of the American Nephrology Nurses Association.
