CentraCare Names Cruz Senior Vice President and General Counsel

CentraCare announced today that Santo M. Cruz, J.D. has accepted the position of Senior Vice President and General Counsel for CentraCare. Cruz will lead the health system’s Legal and Compliance functions and will report to President and Chief Executive Officer Ken Holmen, M.D.

“We are thrilled to have Santo join our senior executive team,” said Holmen. “He brings great expertise in healthcare law, unmatched experience in policy and government relations, and a passion for the people of Central Minnesota.”

Since 2018, Cruz has served as CentraCare’s Associate General Counsel and Vice President of Community and Government Relations. Prior to joining CentraCare, Cruz was Deputy Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Assistant Commissioner and General Counsel for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and Attorney for the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Cruz began his legal career as a prosecutor for Hennepin County.

Cruz earned his bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, where he is currently an adjunct professor. He serves on a number of non-profit and government boards and committees, including the Minnesota Hospital Association Legal Board.