We are so excited to have Holly Kostrzewski, MPHA Member-at-Large and the Northeast Minnesota Regional Toward Zero Deaths director for the Minnesota Department of Health, Transportation and Public Safety, share with us what is happening on Minnesota roads during this event!

Holly Kostrzewski was introduced to public health by her mom, Diana Kostrzewski who worked as a public health nurse at Wadena County public health, the Division Director of St Joseph’s Home Care in Park Rapids, and served as the Marshall County Nursing Director of Public Health. Holly began her career in tribal public health at the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa as the Injury Prevention Program coordinator. She travelled and helped with injury prevention projects to tribal nations all over the US in a yearlong fellowship with Indian Health Service. For the past 12 years she has served as the Northeast Minnesota Regional Toward Zero Deaths director for the Minnesota Department of Health, Transportation and Public Safety.

Among her honors include the Top 20 under 40 in Duluth, Outstanding Leadership to Improve Health Status of American Indians & Alaskan Natives by Preventing Injuries from Indian Health Service,  and  was honored  last month with the National Highway Traffic Safety Public Service (NHTSA) Award at the National Lifesavers Conference. She has a Masters in Public Health and is writing her dissertation for her Doctor of Public Health. She lives in Duluth with her husband, Rob and they love Lake Superior and the Superior Hiking Trail.