Longtime ACA member passed away on March 18.
03/21/2024 2:30 P.M.
2 minute read
Thomas Gavinski, 70, of Savage, Minnesota, died on March 18, 2024.
Gavinski was born on Sept. 23, 1953, in Menasha, Wisconsin. He studied political science at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. After college, Gavinski broke into the collection industry by taking a job in the Sears credit and collection department. From there, he joined IC System in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota, before being recruited by Allina Health System to establish a health care-owned collection agency.
Gavinski served as president of the Minnesota Association of Collectors and was instrumental in improving the relationship between collectors and the state’s regulatory agency, the Minnesota Department of Commerce. He also served as president and executive director of the National Healthcare Collectors Association.
Before leaving Allina, Gavinski was responsible for the revenue cycle of 11 hospitals and directed a staff of 300 employees.
Gavinski was named vice president of corporate collections for the Sisters of St. Francis Health System in Indianapolis. Upon returning to Minneapolis, he worked again for Allina as vice president of human resources, establishing a new HR service center. He jumped back into the collection industry when he accepted the role of vice president of health care division with IC System, later leaving to join ARS in Escondido, California, as its vice president of revenue cycle.
Gavinski was an active ACA member. He was elected to ACA’s board in 2012—you can read a Q&A with him here about his election. He attended and presented at association events and supported ACPAC, ACA’s political action committee. He was active in the Great Lakes Credit and Collection Association, supporting the unit’s legislative work in Minnesota, and attended many fundraisers and events to continue our industry mission.
He served on a joint task force between ACA and the Healthcare Financial Management Association, sharing his industry insights on a CFPB rulemaking panel in 2015.
He earned ACA’s Fellow and Scholar designations and volunteered his time to various association committees, including a term as chair of the Education Committee.
Gavinski served as the Head Savage Planning Commissioner, head of the Hospital Workers Credit Union, and as a lobbyist at the St. Paul Capitol.
In his free time, he enjoyed golf, cars, cocktails, puzzles, parties, and collecting hilarious tchotchkes.
Gavinski is survived by his beloved wife of 42 years, Lynne; brothers, Joe and Mark; sisters-in-law, Patti (David) and Ginny (Pat); 12 nieces and nephews;17 great nieces and nephews; 8 godchildren; and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his mother, Ester; father, Sylvester; and sister, Judy.
A service to celebrate his life will be held on March 28 at Ballard Sunder Funeral in Prior Lake, Minnesota. More information.
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