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Daniel McLaughlin

Adjunct Faculty

  • Education
  • B.E., Bachelor of Electrical Engineering, University of Minnesota 
    M.H.A., Hospital & Health Care Administration, University of Minnesota
  • Research Interests
  • Ways to make health care work more effectively through the use of operations management and systems optimization tools

Daniel McLaughlin, M.H.A, is the director of the Center for Innovation in the Business of Health Care in the Opus College of Business and is active in teaching, research and speaking at the university, with a special emphasis on health care operations and policy. He also provides consulting services to health care and governmental organizations. McLaughlin is the author of a number of textbooks and management guides published by the American College of Healthcare Executives. He holds degrees in electrical engineering and health care administration from the University of Minnesota.

From 1984 to 1992, McLaughlin was the administrator and CEO of Hennepin County Medical Center - the Level 1 Trauma center in Minneapolis, MN. He served as the chair of the National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems and served on President Clinton's Task force on Health Care Reform in 1993. He was the associate administrator for Hennepin County and developed strategies for the health, social service and criminal justice systems. He has been with the University of St. Thomas since 2000.


  • McLaughlin, D. B. (2017). The election - a new emphasis on state innovation. Health Care Executive,
  • McLaughlin, D. B., & Olson, J. R. (2017). Teaching the use of systems dynamics for strategic decision making in healthcare. INFORMS Transactions on Education, (17)(3),
  • McLaughlin, D. B. (2016). The path to a lifetime health plan. Health Care Executive,
  • McLaughlin, D. B. (2016). Health policy in the 2016 election. Heath Care Executive,
  • McLaughlin, D. B. (2016). Battling opioid addiction. Health Care Executive,
  • McLaughlin, D. B., & Militello, J. F. (2015). Finding the path to innovation - Part 2. Journal of Health Care Management, (60)(4), pp. 243-245
  • McLaughlin, D. B., & Militello, J. F. (2015). Thinking beyond the Affordable Care Act. Journal of Health Care Management, (60)(3), pp. 160-163
  • Olson, J. R., & McLaughlin, D. B. (2014). Case study: Process improvement in the criminal court. (37)(3), pp. 1-5
  • Militello, J. F., & McLaughlin, D. B. (2011). The underlying theories of health care reform in the United States - strategy implications for hospitals in world hospitals and health services. (47)(3),
  • McLaughlin, D. B. (2008). Why physicians need business skills.
  • McLaughlin, D. B., & Campion, B. (2003). Pay for performance. (XVII)(7), pp. 1-10
  • Durenberger, D. F., McLaughlin, D. B., & Noren, J. (2002). Mapping a road to the future: An update from the national institute of health policy. (85)(1), pp. 34-36
  • Olson, J. R., & McLaughlin, D. B. (2017). Healthcare operations management 3rd Ed. Healthcare Administration Press
  • McLaughlin, D. B. (2014). The guide to healthcare reform: Readings and commentary. Health Administration Press
  • Olson, J. R., & McLaughlin, D. B. (2012). Healthcare operations management 2nd Ed. Healthcare Administration Press
  • McLaughlin, D. B. (2011). Responding to reform: A strategy guide for healthcare executives. Health Administration Press
  • McLaughlin, D. B. (2010). Make it happen: Effective execution in healthcare leadership. Health Administration Press
  • McLaughlin, D. B., & Hays, J. M. (2008). Healthcare operations management. Health Administration Press

  • American College of Healthcare Executives
  • American Society for Quality
  • Decision Sciences Institute
  • ACHC American College of Healthcare Executives - National Higher Education Task Force
  • Minnesota Medical Group Management Association
  • East Isle Residents Association, Officer, President/Elect/Past

  • Adjunct Instructor, University of St. Thomas, Minneapolis (2000 - present)
  • Director, University of St. Thomas - Center for Health and Medical Affairs, Opus College of Business, St. Paul / Mpls (2008 - present)
  • Program Director, University of St. Thomas Center for Business Excellence, Opus College of Business, St. Paul / Mpls (2003 - 2008)
  • Adjunct faculty, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (1979 - 2004)
  • Executive Director, National Institute of Health Policy, Minneapolis (2000 - 2003)
  • Director, Hennepin County Health Strategy and Policy, Minneapolis (1999 - 2000)
  • Associate County Administrator for Enterprise and Strategic Management, Hennepin County Health Care System, Minneapolis (1994 - 1998)
  • Director, Hennepin County Health Care System, Minneapolis (1986 - 1997)
  • Administrator and CEO, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis (1984 - 1993)
  • Associate Administrator, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis (1980 - 1984)
  • Assistant Administrator, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis (1979 - 1980)
  • Administrator & Chief Executive Officer, Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation Regional Kidney Disease Program, Minneapolis (1972 - 1979)
  • Systems Analyst and Data Processing Manager, Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation Regional Kidney Disease Program, Minneapolis (1971 - 1972)
  • Electrical Engineer, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (1964 - 1970)
  • Systems Analyst and Consultant, Technologies Tri Data Systems, Bayfield (1970 - 1970)