| Current Student Biographies & Projects |
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Click here for former student bios and projects
Dianne M. Axen
- Communications Consultant-Department of Development, Mayo Clinic.
- Formerly Clinical Nurse Specialist in Psychiatry at Mayo Clinic.
- Masters of Science in Nursing, Marquette University.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Nicole Endres
- Writer/editor for Minnesota Medical Foundation.
- Previously worked as regional reporter for the Free Press of Mankato .
- Graduated magna cum laude in Journalism from the University of St. Thomas in 2003.
- Was editor of the Aquin, which won SPJ award for best all-around non-daily newspaper.
Mark Engebretson
- Director of Electronic Communications, University of Minnesota School of Public Health.
- Electronic Communications Manager for University of Minnesota Academic Health Center.
- As a journalist, wrote for newspapers and magazines, including the Southwest Journal, Twin Cities Business Monthly, and Utne Reader.
- Bachelor's degree in Journalism from University of Minnesota.
Jennifer Gangloff
- Web content producer, MayoClinic.com Web site.
- Has more than 15 years experience writing and editing for newspapers, magazines, and online.
- Magna cum laude journalism graduate of St. Bonaventure University.
- Member of the Association of Health Care Journalists.
Rebecca Jungbauer
- Studied biochemical and cancer-related aspects of pharmacology for two years in PhD program at Vanderbilt University .
- Received a BA in biology from St. Mary’s University in 2002.
- Has volunteered domestically and internationally at homeless shelters, halfway homes, assisted living facilities, and food distribution centers, including the University of Minnesota ’s Community-University Clinic, the Dorothy Day House and Nashville CARES, an AIDS service organization in Tennessee .
- Plans to simultaneously pursue an MPH in Community Health Education at SPH.
Amy Snow Landa
- Government & Medicine Reporter, American Medical News, now freelances for same.
- Communications Director, Wye River Group on Healthcare, Inc.
- Capitol Hill Reporter and Managing Editor, Health News Daily.
- BA in political science, Carleton College.
Theresa Olsen
- 1997 SJMC grad, member of Kappa Tau Alpha National Honor Society.
- Has worked as editor for Twin Cities Employment Weekly and as marketing communications specialist for two companies.
Kay Schwebke
- Staff Physician at Hennepin Faculty Associates
- Medical Director at Ingenix.
- Previously staff physician at Allina Medical Clinics and the St. Paul Ramsey Medical Center .
- Received a BA in Biology and Psychology from the U of M in 1983.
- MD from Mount Sinai in 1987.
- MPH in Epidemiology from the U of M in 1995.
- Did internal medicine residency and infectious diseases fellowship at U of M.
- Received grant through the Bush Foundation Medical Fellows Program to develop an HIV/HCV coinfection program.
Suzanne Sobotka
- MPH in epidemiology from the University of Minnesota .
- Research Assistant for the Consortium on Health, Environment and Life Sciences in the University of Minnesota Law School .
- Executive Vice President of the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly.
- BA in political theory (specialization in health and humanities) from Michigan State University .
- Interested in broadcast journalism or media relations work.
Toya Stewart
- Staff writer at The Dallas Morning News, Dallas , TX .
- Reporter at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Arlington , TX .
- Internships at The Kansas City Star in Kansas City, MO; The Times Leader in Wilkes-Barre, PA; The Fort Worth Star-Telegram; The Argus Leader in Sioux Falls, SD; and the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
- BA in English, rhetoric and African American studies from the University of Minnesota .
- Recipient of a Journalism Fellowship in Child and Family Policy from the University of Maryland Philip Merrill College of Journalism and The Foundation for Child Development, as well as an education reporting award from the Education Writers Association.
Molly A. Thompson
- Currently, Healthcare Editorial Manager, Priority Publications, Edina, MN.
- Contributing writer for Madison Magazine.
- Managing editor for Channel3000.com/WISC-TV.
- News editor for Channel 2000/KCBS-TV Los Angeles.
- BA in journalism from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, with a minor in health.
- Has won Milwaukee Press Club and Edward R. Murrow awards for Web journalism.
Julie A. Wilbert
- Health Promotion Specialist, Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department.
- Health Educator, Anoka County Community Health Department.
- MS in women's studies, Minnesota State University .
- BA in psychology, New England College .
- Adjunct Professor, Metropolitan State University in St. Paul .
Ayisha Yahya
- Reporting intern for The Spokesman-Review, BBC World Service's East African Bureau, the Mail Tribune and the Southern Oregonian.
- MA in International Studies with a focus on international mass communication, University of Oregon (Thesis Title: Cultural Synthesis Through the Media: A Case Study of Kenyan Hip-hop).
- News editor of the Oregon Daily Emerald.
- BA in communication-journalism, with a minor in public relations, summa cum laude, Southern Oregon University.
Caryn Zembrosky
- BS genetics, University of Wisconsin, Madison.
- MD, St. Louis University School of Medicine.
- Internship, Residency Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison program in Milwaukee.
- Pelvic Surgery Fellowship.
- Board Certification, Obstetrics and Gynecology.
- Physician practice in academics, HMO, and private practice.
- Physician project coordinator for Stratis Health, MN state peer review organization.
Graduates
Adam Boyle
- MPH (Education track), NW Ohio Consortium of Public Health, Toledo, OH.
- Pharmaceutical Phase 3b Clinical Trials Assistant Project Manager for Advanced Biologics, LLC, Lambertville, NJ.
- Pharmaceutical Phase 3b Clinical Trials CRA II (Clinical Research Associate) for Baxter BioScience, Glendale, CA.
- 2-1/2 years Medical School, University of Texas Health Sciences Center - San Antonio, TX.
- B.S. Biology, Colorado State University.
Barbara Elick
- Administrative Director of Transplant Services, UMN Department of Surgery.
- Has more than 30 years experience in health care, including directing the U of M’s transplant center and coordinating transplants at the U of M hospital and at the University of Texas .
- BSN from Texas Christian University in 1975 and has taken courses at the UMN since 1989.
- In 1993 received a recognition award from Howard University Transplant and Dialysis Center for “Outstanding Contributions as an Advocate for Minority Participation in the Field of Nursing and Transplant Coordination.”
Bridgett Erickson
- Student Support Services Assistant in the Biomedical Engineering Department at the U of M.
- Has worked as a marketing manager for Benegas Trade Co. and a communications specialist for Travelers Express / Moneygram , Minnesota State Lottery and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
- Received a BA in journalism with a concentration in public relations from the University of St. Thomas in 1997.
- Has taken public health courses at UMN since 2004.
Anna Nguyen Gefroh
- Freelance Writer, Shanghai, China.
- Senior Staff Writer, News Communications, Temple University's Health Sciences Center, Philadelphia.
- Reporter, Courier-Post, South Jersey.
- 2006 treasurer for Asian American Journalists Association - Philadelphia Chapter.
- Intern, Association of Health Care Journalists.
- Intern for Star Tribune Health Desk, Summer.
- BA in Journalism, University of Minnesota.
- Awards: MacArthur Honors Program; Outstanding Minority Presidential Scholarship; College of Liberal Arts Waller Scholarship.
- Minnesota Journalists’ Abroad Scholarship, Minnesota Newspaper Foundation.
Cara Ibrahim
- MPH in maternal & child health, University of Minnesota School of Public Health.
- 2006 Recipient of the HECUA/Otto Bremer Human Rights and Philanthropy Fellowship.
- Teaching Assistant, Sociological Perspectives on Race, Class and Gender.
- Research Assistant, Center for 4-H Youth Development.
- Research Assistant, Hope Community, Center for Urban and Regional Affairs.
- 1999-2002 Outreach Worker, Twin Cities Healthy Start (a federal program to reduce racial disparities in infant mortality).
Catherine Jacobs
- Capstone project: Health and Healing in India
- Administrative Fellow, University of Minnesota, School of Public Health.
- News Writer/Producer, KRON-TV, San Francisco, California.
- Special Projects/Line Producer, KVBC-TV, Las Vegas, Nevada.
- Writer/Producer, Conus Communications, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
- Intern, Consumer and Investigative Department, KGO-TV, San Francisco,
California.
- BA in Broadcast and Electronic Communication, San Francisco State
University.
Janice Kehler
- Master of Science, Department of Physiology, University of Manitoba.
- Project Manager, Stratis Health Inc., Minnesota.
- Assistant Professor, Physical Therapy Program, College of St. Catherine.
- Clinical Evaluation Manager, Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN.
- Clinical Outcomes Research Analyst, EMPI Corp, Minneapolis, MN.
Hema Khanchandani
- Now working as a program associate at Partnership for Prevention in Washington, D.C.,
a nonprofit organization aiming to make policy changes that influence preventive health behavior.
- Capstone project presentation: Healthy Farmers & Karnataka
- Capstone video: Healthy Farmers & Karnataka (30 MB QuickTime, opens in new window)
- MPH in Epidemiology, University of Minnesota School of Public Health.
- Intern, Hennepin County Community Health Department, Minneapolis, MN.
- Paraprofessional, Minnesota Department of Health.
- B.S. Health Studies, Michigan State University.
Colleen Kingsbury
- Senior Communications Consultant for United Hospital, Allina Hospitals & Clinics.
- Communications officer for United Hospital Emergency Incident Command System.
- Communications Director for Catholic Aid Association fraternal insurance company.
- BS from University of Wisconsin-Madison, graduated with distinction.
- Member of the Association of Health Care Journalists.
Laura Knudson
- Graduate of University of Minnesota Medical School.
- Center for Spirituality and Healing Massage Institute, Madison , WI.
- Public health intern in Philippines with HKI and Kenya with CARE-Kenya.
- BA in English and biology, Lawrence University , Appleton , WI.
Leyla Kokmen
- Now working as program coordinator for the U of M's Health Journalism M.A. program and teaching journalism courses at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
- Freelance health writer for Minneapolis Star Tribune newspaper, Minnesota Monthly and Experience Life magazines.
- Capstone Project: Reporting on Death
- Staff Writer, City Pages.
- Technology reporter at Denver Post and reporter at Seattle Times
- Interned at Chicago Tribune .
- Awards include: Denver Post staff Pulitzer in 2000; Society of American Business
Editors and Writers Best in Business Spot News Award.
Amy (Mertens) Kowalski
- Now working on the Institutional Review Board of St. Francis Hospital, Tulsa, OK
- Freelances for MayoClinic.com.
- Capstone Project: Birth Control: A Guide in the Making
- MayoClinic.com: Birth control guide
- MPH in Epidemiology from University of Minnesota School of Public Health.
- Currently works part-time for Minnesota Department of Health.
- BS with honors in biology/chemistry from UW-Madison; Fluent in Spanish.
Laura (Bobendrier) Kruse
Christine Lehmann
- Now working as research analyst/science writer with Rockville, MD, research organization Westat.
- Reporter, Psychiatric News, since 1994.
- Previously worked as a freelance reporter for papers including The Washington Post and The Dallas Morning News and as a writer and meeting planner for the Council of Academic Societies at the Association of American Medical Colleges.
- Received a BA in journalism from the University of Maryland in 1991 (graduated cum laude).
- Received the 2003 Special Friend of Children Media Award from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Nicole A. Mejia
- Junior Scientist, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry , Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences, Neurosystems Center .
- Post-graduate work in physics, organic chemistry, biochemistry and public health, University of Minnesota .
- BA in neuroscience and Spanish, Wellesley College .
- Personal Care Attendant, Intrepid Home Health Care, Golden Valley , MN .
Amy Olson
- Now working as Health and Medical Editor , Wausau Daily Herald
- Staff writer for Racine Times-Journal in Wisconsin.
- Reporter for Post-Bulletin in Rochester, Minnesota.
- Awards: National Newspaper Association’s 2001 Award for Best Investigative Reporting; Minnesota Newspaper Association Award for Best Investigative Reporting, 2001; Society of Professional Journalists (Minnesota chapter), second place, general reporting, 2000.
- BA from University of Minnesota. Kappa Tau Alpha (journalism honorary society).
Mariah Carroll Owens
- Communications Specialist, UMN Children's Hospital, Fairview.
- Communications Assistant, UMN College of Veterinary Medicine.
- Previously interned in public relations / marketing with Karwoski and Courage Public Relations and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- Received a BA in Journalism from the U of M (public relations concentration with a speech communications minor) in 2002.
- Member of the Public Relations Society of America and the Association of Health Care Journalists.
Brenda Paul
- Now working as Project Manager for Fairview Southdale Hospital's Perioperative Services department.
- MPH in Health Services Research from UMN.
- Research assistant at Center for Bioethics Resource Center.
- Formerly hospital bioterrorism program resource coordinator for MN Dept of Health and graduate assistant, UMN Medical School’s Department of Geriatrics.
- Communications Coordinator for Minnesota Partnership to Improve End of Life Care.
Hiran Ratnayake
- Now working for the Wilmington News Journal in Wilmington, Del.
- Hiran Ratnayake, one of our first health journalism MA grads, has already won an award for co-authoring an investigative piece for the Wilmington News Journal. http://www.gannett.com/go/newswatch/2005/january/nw0121-2.htm
- Staff writer, St. Cloud Times in Minnesota.
- Awards: 2002 Winner, Minnesota Better Newspaper Contest; 2002 winner, Ernie Pyle Award for feature writing at St. Cloud Times.
- BA from Pennsylvania State University.
Maia (Dock) Seitz
- Now working as Healthcare Writer/Editor, Priority Publications, Edina, MN.
- MPH, University of Minnesota School of Public Health.
- Junior Scientist, University of Minnesota Nutritional Coordinating Center.
- Dietetic Intern, University of Minnesota Dietetic Internship for Graduate Students.
- Research Assistant, VA Medical Center – Chronic Disease Outcomes Research Center.
Jennipher Shaver
- Now Associate Editor of Fitness Business Pro.
- Freelances for Best Body consumer magazine.
- BA in journalism from University of Missouri – Columbia.
- Media relations intern, University Hospital, Columbia.
- Public relations intern, American Cancer Society.
- Reporter, Columbia Missourian.
- Awards: Member of Honors College and Dean’s List for 6 semesters
Rachana Sikka
- Guideline Dissemination Project Manager for the American Academy of Neurology in St. Paul, Minn., creating educational materials for clinicians, patients and family members and writing articles for AAN publications.
- Capstone Project: Casino Gambling Addiction in the Twin Cities Asian community
- MPH in Community Health Education, University of Minnesota.
- Editorial assistant for the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (an electronic journal found at www.ijbnpa.org).
- BS in Speech from Northwestern University
Greg Turosak
- Managing Editor, MayoClinic.com, a widely respected consumer health Web site.
- Capstone Project: Chronic nonspecific back pain
- MayoClinic.com: Back pain guide
- Formerly news editor, Rochester Post-Bulletin and Grand Forks Herald; Reporter, Bismarck Tribune and Western Business.
- Awards from North Dakota Newspaper Association and Inland Daily Press Association.
- BA in Journalism from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Marie Zhuikov
- Communications Coordinator, Minnesota Sea Grant program since 1996.
- Formerly public affairs specialist, USDA Forest Service.
- Awards: First place, news releases, National Association of Government Communicators in 2000; APEX awards of publications excellence for newsletter writing and electronic newsletter writing.
- BA from UMN.
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