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 welcomed the opportunity to return to Northwest Indiana to work for the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte to support its mission and vision for her hometown. She also volunteers her time locally with the La Porte Jaycees and regionally with Sigma Kappa Sorority.
Administrative Assistant & Media Coordinator, cswanson@hflaporte.org | 219.326.2471
Mary Wellnitz
Mary earned her Master of Business Administration from University of Notre Dame, Bachelor of Arts from Purdue University and Sales Certificate from University of Michigan. She began her career with NIPSCO Industries, holding various positions including Human Resources Manager, Investor Relations Supervisor, and Manager of Sales & Marketing. She also served as the Director of Strategic Planning and Marketing for La Porte Regional Health System. Mary is one of three founders of Figment Group, Inc., and serves as its President. She has taught advanced strategic planning, marketing and sales, and has consulted for many not for profit and for profit organizations. She has also actively served on many not for profit boards in the region and currently serves on the Board of the Greater LaPorte Chamber of Commerce and Chairs their Workforce Taskforce, the editorial board of the Northwest Indiana Business Magazine, and the Drug & Alcohol Testing Industry Association. She has been honored with the National Athena® Award and has been inducted in the NW Indiana Society of Innovators. Mary has a step-son who lives in Vermont and she resides in La Porte with her spouse Jim and their adored and well-mannered golden retriever named Cooper Bradley.
Special Projects Manager, mwellnitz@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 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 for a 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 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 Joyful Noise Musical Instrument Sculptures and the Mural Project at Plaza 618. She and her husband Thaddeus reside in Downtown La Porte.
Special Events Coordinator, lcutler@hflaporte.org | 219.326.2471
Leadership
