MacMillan Center provides space for connection

[Allina Health Newsroom, September 30, 2024] Allina Health’s Whitney and Elizabeth MacMillan Community and Education Center provides a space for community connection in south Minneapolis and helps to uphold Allina Health’s commitments to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. The MacMillan Center recently hosted two events in support of Allina Health’s new economic development and impact strategy to expand business opportunities for local, diverse suppliers.

Women Ignite:

“The event created an impactful night centered on building connections with zero costs to attend,” said Mercedes Jaime, manager of Allina Health’s Supplier Diversity and Sustainability. “The event’s main goal was to bring together female entrepreneurs, especially those who are in underserved communities or identify as Black, Indigenous or people of color (BIPOC), and introduce them to valuable resources within the community, empowering them with resources to advance their businesses.

Women business owners exchanged tips and information as they tried some of the food and drinks showcasing the work of their peers. Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar greeted attendees via video, while Lisa Shannon, Allina Health’s president and CEO, reminded the crowd of the power of women working together.

“We wanted participants to walk away with nuggets on how they can best position themselves to become a product or service supplier for Allina Health,” Jaime said.

Buy Local Forum

Two days later, dozens more people packed the MacMillan Center for the Buy Local Forum, which was hosted by Allina Health and Vizient. The event was designed to help diverse local businesses in Minnesota and western Wisconsin learn more about how they can participate in our community contracting program.

The program helps businesses prioritize reinvesting in the local economy. Participating organizations intentionally direct their spending to local, diverse suppliers who in turn hire from the community, providing livable wages, insurance and career paths. The goal is to improve social conditions that contribute to our health such as the ability to pay for healthy food, stable housing and transportation.

“The MacMillan Center is a state-of-the-art facility. We have seen its vast impact, whether when it comes to care teams honing their skills or high schoolers touring its simulation labs,” said Troy Lindloff, Allina Health vice president & Chief Development Officer.” “We feel even more successful knowing this is a resource for the community. Knowing that the seeds of lasting and impactful change can be begin here is quite impactful.”

Completed in 2023 thanks to the generous philanthropic contributions of Betty MacMillan, the MacMillan Center sits between the Allina Health Commons at Midtown Exchange and Abbott Northwestern Hospital in south Minneapolis. 

 

Posted on September 30, 2024 in DEI, community service, _