HFL board members were nominated and selected in 2016 by members of the former La Porte Hospital Board and La Porte Hospital Foundation Board. These individuals are members of our community and bring a unique mix of expertise and knowledge. As members of our community, these individuals are passionate about empowering La Porte residents to live healthy and well and committed to the vision of helping La Porte become one of the top 10 healthiest communities in Indiana by 2030.
The HFL Board was designed to bring together a unique mix of expertise and knowledge. Our leadership and staff are guided by these values:
- Excellence: Show exceptional stewardship of our community’s investment by acting with honesty and integrity.
- Innovative and Visionary Thought Leadership: Have the courage to “think big” and discover ways to optimize our health and empower our residents to be well.
- Collaboration: Work hand-in-hand with donors, communities, not-for-profit partners and healthcare and wellness providers.
- Commitment: Dedicate ourselves to optimizing resources to create pathways so that those in and around La Porte are empowered to live healthy and well.
- Compassion: Be sensitive to the health and wellness issues and the needs of the communities we serve.
Honorary Life Membership… Honorary Life Membership is bestowed sparingly on those who have unselfishly made noteworthy contributions to La Porte Hospital Foundation. The impact of these individuals will be felt for years to come.
*deceased
Maria Fruth
Maria started her career with La Porte Hospital in 1996 as the Director of Development. In January of 1998, she was named Chief Operating Officer of the La Porte Hospital Foundation and Executive Vice President of La Porte Hospital. She provided overall coordination for all aspects of The Foundation’s important role. She also served as the administrator of several support service departments of the hospital (2011 to 2016) and Community Health and Dental Center (2011 to 2014). Her career with La Porte Hospital and the Foundation followed many years of teaching, community service and business experience. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University Federal Minas Gerais, in Brazil. In 1999, she received her Certification in Fund Raising Management from Indiana University Center on Philanthropy, Fund Raising School. Mrs. Fruth is a member of the Council on Foundations, Indiana Philanthropy Alliance, and Grantmakers for Effective Organizations. She has served on many not for profit boards in the La Porte area. Maria has resided in La Porte with her husband Greg since 1976, and they have three sons and three grandchildren.
Chief Executive Officer, mfruth@hflaporte.org | 219.326.2472
Robert Fryer
Robert began his career with the accounting firm of Earnst & Young and has held various CFO positions in healthcare companies ranging from community mental health, small single specialty physician group and related single specialty surgery center to large multispecialty physician group and related large multispecialty surgery center. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in accounting from Manchester University and MBA from the University of Notre Dame. Robert holds past memberships with Medical Group Management Association, Ambulatory Surgery Center Association and currently is a member of American Institute of CPA’s and Indiana CPA Society. He has served on many not for profit boards in La Porte and surrounding area. Bob resides in La Porte with his wife Jacki, and they have four daughters and two granddaughters.
Chief Financial Officer, bfryer@hflaporte.org | 219.326.2471
Cassy Swanson
Cassy obtained her undergraduate degree in public relations at Ball State University, during which time she participated in a variety of student organizations and spent three consecutive summers interning at the La Porte Hospital Foundation. After graduation, Cassy moved to Indianapolis to join Teach for America, an AmeriCorps funded program where participants commit to teach and effect change in under-resourced urban and rural public schools for two years. She simultaneously pursued and attained a Masters of Arts in Teaching degree from Marian University in Indianapolis. Cassy was excited for the opportunity to return to her hometown to work for the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte.
Administrative Assistant & Media Coordinator, cswanson@hflaporte.org | 219.326.2471
Laura Cutler
Laura received her BFA from Otis College of Art & Design, Los Angeles, CA and her MFA in Painting & Anatomy from the New York Academy of Art, New York, NY. She has taught painting, drawing and ceramics at numerous colleges including California State University, Northridge, CA, University of Laverne, Burbank, CA and Indiana University South Bend, IN. In the not for profit sector, she served 2 years as Director of Exhibitions for South Shore Arts, curating and installing an average of 22 exhibits a year at their four gallery locations in Lake County. In the fall of 2015, she was elected to City Council and returned to La Porte to serve her four year term. At that time, she also took on the role of Executive Director of the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra until 2017. She has received numerous grants and awards for her work including an IAC Individual Artist Grant, the President’s Award at South Shore Arts Salon Show, Best of Show Award at the Midwest Museum of American Art and the Hoosier Women Artists Award from the Lt. Governor. She has been co-owner of the Thaddeus C. Gallery in La Porte since 2004 and serves on the Regional Arts Council for Region One of the Indiana Arts Commission, the Urban Enterprise Association Board, the Downtown Main Street and the Visual Arts Council of La Porte. She currently partners with the City Planner of La Porte on projects such as the recently completed Joyful Noise Musical Instrument Sculptures and the upcoming Mural Project at Plaza 618. As a member of the HFL team, Laura’s role as special event coordinator focuses her attention on the Tour de La Porte and Holiday at the Pops.
Special Events Coordinator, lcutler@hflaporte.org | 219.326.2471
Leadership
