Sinikka Laisaari

Sinikka Mönkäre (born 6 March 1947) is a Finnish physician and politician who served as minister in different cabinets of Finland.

Early life and education Mönkäre was born in Sippola on 6 March 1947. She has a PhD in medicine and surgery. She held different ministerial roles. Her first ministerial post was the minister of social affairs and health and minister in the ministry of environment (housing) (1995–1999). Then she served as the minister of trade and industry from 2000 to 2003. During her term she supported the construction of a new nuclear power plant. She was appointed minister of social affairs and health to the cabinet led by Prime Minister Anneli Jäätteenmäki on 17 April 2003. On 23 September 2005, she was removed from office upon her request and replaced by Tuula Haatainen in the post. In April 2009, she became a member of the executive committee of the RAY. She was appointed board member for the University of Turku in February 2010. She is also a member of ilmarinen’s supervisory board from 2010.