WHAT WE DO
Our Mission
To provide affordable, comfortable, and homelike lodging for neurological patients and their caregivers.
Our Vision
The Neuro Hospitality House in Rochester, MN seeks to inspire the creation of a network of Neuro Hospitality Houses by putting into practice a service model of hospitality near high quality health care organizations.
Our Story
- Created a 501c3 non-profit organization based on formal needs assessment in 2008
- Engaged, dedicated and enthusiastic board members and volunteers with strategic, business, and architectural plans and future construction estimates
- Acquired, furnished, and supplied a three-bedroom rental house in a strategic and convenient location to serve as proof of concept
- Welcomed our first guests in 2013 and are now regularly filled to capacity with lengths of stay from 1 to 300 or more nights
- Suggested donations per night of stay $35 – $45
- Coffee, tea and light snacks available in self serve kitchen
- Served 400 guests per year
- Operating budget of $50-60K per year with only two paid house management staff
- Debt free
OUR FUTURE
We plan to build a 20-room house that fulfills our needs consistent with our mission and values as soon as possible.
OUR BOARD
“Work, Wisdom, Wealth”

Catherine McBride
President
A graduate of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in Accounting, worked for KPMG, Motorola, and Aruther Andersen in Audit, Accounting, and Human Resources. Served on the boards of directors of United Way and the University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardeners.

Stephanie Fisher
Vice President
Private Banker and Certified Wealth Strategist with Associated Bank, Rochester/Red Wing. Stephanie is an active member of the community including 10 years of volunteer work with Greater Rochester Rotary, American Cancer Society, Salvation Army, United Way, Rotary Holiday Classic and Leadership Greater Rochester. Stephanie lives in Rochester with her husband, Brent, son Mason and stepsons Luke and Jack. She enjoys traveling, golfing and supporting her boys in their extracurricular activities.

Margaret Mattke
Treasurer
Graduate of Mankato State University with a BS degree in finance and economics. Banking career with Wells Fargo Bank, Rochester and US Bank (now retired).

Connie Iezzi, MSW
Secretary
An over 20 year career in Clinical Social Work, helping people adjust to change, through counseling and direct service provision, program development, community outreach and education. Experience in a variety of settings, including inpatient and outpatient mental health, hospice, home care and schools. Received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Iona College, NY and a Master of Social Work degree from New York University. Enjoys engagement in charitable endeavors and is currently a contributor to and volunteer in the Family Resource Center of a local childcare facility, providing programming, support and community resources to students and families. Passionate about people and purposeful living.

Robin Gwaltney
A graduate of Concordia University–Bachelor’s degree in Marketing/Management. Twenty years of dedication at Mayo Clinic prior to starting a real estate career in 2000. Currently leading Gwaltney Group-RE/MAX Results. An extremely active member of the community including 20 years of volunteer work with Rochester Better Chance. Distinguished characteristics of leadership, energy, dedication and customer service.

Craig Wendland
A graduate of the University of Minnesota B.A., and UCLA Law School J.D. Retired from Wendland Utz law firm with concentration in business, real estate and estate planning. Experienced with numerous non-profit boards over the years. Currently serving the Rochester Area Foundation-Finance Committee and Exercisabilities, Inc. Board.

Mallory Weggemann
Mallory experienced paralysis at the age of 18 due to complications from a medical procedure. With hard work and determination, she returned to the pool and became a Paralympic Gold Medalist. She rose to International prominence winning an ESPY for “Best Female with a Disability”, recording 15 World Records and 34 American Records. Mallory is a motivational speaker, contributing writer for CNN, Huffington Post, as well as a disability rights advocate.

Jeremy Snyder
Partner at TFA Productions, a content marketer in the sports and entertainment industries. Jeremy founded The Factory Agency and is a top partner with Paralympic athletes, helping them reach their potential. Achievements include securing and negotiating marketing, endorsement, appearance opportunities, media outreach, philanthropic support for the talent representation division for growth of the Paralympic Movement.

Guiseppe Lanzino, MD
Professor of Neurosurgery and Radiology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science with long standing clinical and research interest in stroke and complex brain tumors.

Heath Elenbaas, MS, MBA, RN
Marketing
Nurse Manager for Inpatient Rehabilitation at Mayo Clinic, Major in the Minnesota Army National Guard, ambitious leader and mentor. Passionate about service and innovation.

James A. Yolch, MHA
Jim Yolch currently serves as Vice Chair overseeing consumer products, website operations, and digital analytics as part of Mayo Clinic’s Global Business Solutions. He started his career at Mayo Clinic in June 2001 as an administrative fellow, and has since had several leadership positions in clinical areas including primary care, executive health, preventive medicine, and endocrinology. Jim has also led several new health and wellness business model and product launches for Mayo Clinic. He is published in multiple healthcare administration journals and given many professional presentations. He currently resides in Rochester, MN with his wife and three children and enjoys spending time supporting their extracurricular endeavors.

Marilyn Sommerfeldt
Mayo Clinic Operations administrative assistant, Medical Office Manager in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation for 15 years; Certified Tour Ambassador for Mayo Clinic and the City of Rochester.

Judy Braatz
Business Development Representative for Think Mutual Bank. Forty years of sales experience including stock broker, Mary Kay Cosmetic Director, Radio News Broadcaster. Managed an employment company. Membership Director of the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce for 24 years helping businesses develop, grow and prosper helping the Rochester Chamber grow to the largest Chamber in Minnesota. Mother of 2 daughters, and one son-in-law.

Ryan Pendergast
A graduate of Michigan State University with a BS in computer science and engineering. Software engineer, CTO, and entrepreneur. This cause is close to his heart, as Ryan lost his wife and mother of 2, to brain cancer in 2014.
OUR STAFF
Emeritus Board Members
James Bower, MD
Kathryn Stolp, MD
Megan Gill, PT, DPT, NCS
Randy Johnson, Partner RSM US
Tim O'Neill, CPA
Jeffrey Smigielski, PhD
Ronald Carlson
Lisa Beck, RN, CSN
Ronald Reeves, MD
Myatt Helmers
Anne Moessner, RN
Timothy Brennan, MBA
Christopher Wendland
Laurie Bennett, RN
Brian Childs, Larkin Hoffman Attorneys, Legal Counsel
Annual Reports
Transparency is important to NHH. Each year, we publish financial documents to maintain this transparency.</span >
- 990 (2019)
- MN Charitable Organization Report (2020)
- 1023
- Donor privacy policy
- Whistleblower policy
- P&L (2020)
- Balance Sheet (2020)