Keweenaw Health Foundation adds four new board members

Local 3 News Team
·3 min read

LAURIUM, Mich. (WJMN) — The Keweenaw Health Foundation announced Thursday the addition of four new members to its Board of Directors.

“The addition of new board members marks a significant milestone for the Keweenaw Health Foundation,” reads the Thursday release. “Each individual brings a unique set of skills, experiences, and perspectives that will undoubtedly contribute to the foundations continued success in the Keweenaw.”

The new members are:

  • Joel Asiala, Principal – Washington Middle School

  • Ian Lewis, Manager – Laurium Village

  • Jonathan Brueggeman, DPM, MHSA, Foot and Ankle Surgeon

  • Katie Schlief, Manager – Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce

The Keweenaw Health Foundation is a non-profit agency that aims to support Aspirus Keweenaw and the health of its community through purchasing equipment, providing education and health screenings, and giving grants to local organizations.

You can find introductions of the new members provided by KHF below:

Joel Asiala, Principal – Washington Middle School
Asiala is responsible for daily operations of the Washington Middle School within the Calumet, Laurium and Keweenaw Public School System. Asiala is a graduate of Northern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science in Social Studies and Physical Education, and Master of Science in Special Education with an endorsement in Education Administration from Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MAASP). Joel coached boys’ and girls’ basketball for several years and served as Principal of the Horizon Alternative High School for 5 years. Prior to working at CLK Schools, Joel was a Special Education teacher at Lake Linden- Hubbell School System. He is the Co-Founder of the Superior Educator Award with the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation (formally Portage Health Foundation). He received the Alternative Principal Award of The Year Award through the state of Michigan in 2019 and is also the Co-Founder of Teach Link Educational Software Company. 

Ian Lewis, Manager – Laurium Village
Lewis is responsible for various functions of the Village including serving as the chief financial and administrative officer. As manager, Lewis works closely with the Village Clerk, Village Treasurer, Police, Fire, and the Department of Public Works. Lewis is a graduate of Gogebic Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Pre-Law, Northern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science and a Master Degree in Public Administration. He earned his Juris Doctor from Michigan State University College of Law in May of 2022.

Jonathan Brueggeman, DPM, MHSA, Foot and Ankle Surgeon
Dr. Brueggeman joined Aspirus Health in 2019 as a Foot and Ankle Surgeon with over 15 years of experience. Dr. Brueggeman earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in North Chicago, Illinois. He completed his podiatric surgical residency at St. Joseph Hospital of Chicago also affiliated with the North Chicago Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Prior to Aspirus Keweenaw, he initially worked in Milwaukee as a foot and ankle surgeon and also worked closely with the wound care team at Aurora St. Luke’s Hospital in Milwaukee for a period of 5 years. After that time, he moved to the upper peninsula, and he worked as a foot and ankle surgeon and helped co-direct wound care at UP Health System -Portage for 5 years. Dr. Brueggeman started at Aspirus in December of 2017. He has been a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association, the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, and the Wisconsin Podiatric Medical Association and is an Associate of the American Professional Wound Care Association.

You can find more information about the Keweenaw Health Foundation on its website.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJMN - UPMatters.com.