Board of Directors
President - Heidi Orstad
Heidi Orstad serves as the MMA Upper Midwest Regional Clinical Consultant with the Planning and Analytics for Total Health (PATH) team. In this role Heidi supports employers In Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Missouri and South Dakota as they seek to control health care costs, improve health outcomes and promote employee engagement through analytic-based state of the art innovations and reporting.
Heidi has her Doctorate in Nursing Practice and her Certificate in Health Care Design. She has been a nurse executive for over 15 years in national and regional health plan case management operations and in the acute care hospital setting. She also has years of experience in practice in pediatric oncology, labor and delivery, QA and geriatric community health nursing. Besides serving as President of MNORN, she is on the Editorial Board of the Creative Nursing Journal. This year in particular Heidi has been doing quite a bit of writing and speaking on the effect of COVID-19 on mental health in the workplace and on teens and children.
Heidi enjoys time with her husband, their adult children, and their comical springer spaniel, Millie. She also enjoys summers on the water in their quirky, vintage houseboat on the St. Croix.
Heidi Orstad serves as the MMA Upper Midwest Regional Clinical Consultant with the Planning and Analytics for Total Health (PATH) team. In this role Heidi supports employers In Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Missouri and South Dakota as they seek to control health care costs, improve health outcomes and promote employee engagement through analytic-based state of the art innovations and reporting.
Heidi has her Doctorate in Nursing Practice and her Certificate in Health Care Design. She has been a nurse executive for over 15 years in national and regional health plan case management operations and in the acute care hospital setting. She also has years of experience in practice in pediatric oncology, labor and delivery, QA and geriatric community health nursing. Besides serving as President of MNORN, she is on the Editorial Board of the Creative Nursing Journal. This year in particular Heidi has been doing quite a bit of writing and speaking on the effect of COVID-19 on mental health in the workplace and on teens and children.
Heidi enjoys time with her husband, their adult children, and their comical springer spaniel, Millie. She also enjoys summers on the water in their quirky, vintage houseboat on the St. Croix.
First Vice President - Cami Peterson-Devries
Cami Peterson-DeVries currently is the VP of Corporate Compliance & Ethics and Leadership Development at St. Francis Health Services of Morris. Her background includes working in various parts of healthcare as a nurse including acute care, clinic, urgent care, home care, hospice, assisted living, and skilled nursing facilities. Along with her current position she is also an adjunct professor at Rasmussen University and works in a small women's health clinic in rural Minnesota. Cami has a master's degree in nursing, a doctorate in healthcare administration, and is certified as an Adult-Geriatric Nurse Practitioner. She is a LeadingAge Minnesota board member and Chair for the Education Committee. Cami has a passion for nursing and enjoys mentoring others so they too can go out and make a difference.
Cami Peterson-DeVries currently is the VP of Corporate Compliance & Ethics and Leadership Development at St. Francis Health Services of Morris. Her background includes working in various parts of healthcare as a nurse including acute care, clinic, urgent care, home care, hospice, assisted living, and skilled nursing facilities. Along with her current position she is also an adjunct professor at Rasmussen University and works in a small women's health clinic in rural Minnesota. Cami has a master's degree in nursing, a doctorate in healthcare administration, and is certified as an Adult-Geriatric Nurse Practitioner. She is a LeadingAge Minnesota board member and Chair for the Education Committee. Cami has a passion for nursing and enjoys mentoring others so they too can go out and make a difference.
Second Vice President - Colleen Quesnell
Colleen Quesnell joined the MHealth Fairview midwife community in 2019 where she provides care at the Maplewood clinic. She also works in an Adult Health role in mental health both at Regions Hospital and Hennepin County Medical Center. Previous to starting her midwife career Colleen worked as Women’ Health Nurse Practitioner at Health Partners.
Colleen is a member of the MN Maternal Mortality Committee and serves as Secretary for MNNP. She served as Adjunct Instructor at Saint Mary’s University in Minneapolis. She was a member of the Saint Paul-Ramsey County Community Health Advisory Committee Member from 2011-2014.
Colleen has a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Adult and Women’s Health from the University of Minnesota. She holds a Post-Masters Certificate in Midwifery also from the University of MN. She started as a nurse in a diploma program and went on to complete her BSN in Charlotte, NC where she began her family and her nursing career.
Colleen Quesnell joined the MHealth Fairview midwife community in 2019 where she provides care at the Maplewood clinic. She also works in an Adult Health role in mental health both at Regions Hospital and Hennepin County Medical Center. Previous to starting her midwife career Colleen worked as Women’ Health Nurse Practitioner at Health Partners.
Colleen is a member of the MN Maternal Mortality Committee and serves as Secretary for MNNP. She served as Adjunct Instructor at Saint Mary’s University in Minneapolis. She was a member of the Saint Paul-Ramsey County Community Health Advisory Committee Member from 2011-2014.
Colleen has a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Adult and Women’s Health from the University of Minnesota. She holds a Post-Masters Certificate in Midwifery also from the University of MN. She started as a nurse in a diploma program and went on to complete her BSN in Charlotte, NC where she began her family and her nursing career.
Secretary - Celeste Knoff
Celeste Knoff has been an RN for 40 years and currently is a nursing instructor at Inver Hills Community College. She started her nursing career at Methodist Hospital in Omaha NE where she lived and worked for 10 years. She then worked in LTC in South Dakota before moving to MN in 1999. She worked as a geriatric care manager and at Gillette Children’s before starting at HealthPartners in 2015. Celeste has experience in geriatrics and pediatrics and has also worked extensively in telephone triage. As part of her graduate thesis work, she created the TyMed Wheel, a device used to assist patients and families in scheduling complex medications. This device received a patent in 2016. Celeste is a nurse educator and advocate for ensuring that nurses work at their optimal levels to ensure that patients receive optimum care. She has spoken at national nursing conferences, written articles, and volunteers with several organizations.
Celeste Knoff has been an RN for 40 years and currently is a nursing instructor at Inver Hills Community College. She started her nursing career at Methodist Hospital in Omaha NE where she lived and worked for 10 years. She then worked in LTC in South Dakota before moving to MN in 1999. She worked as a geriatric care manager and at Gillette Children’s before starting at HealthPartners in 2015. Celeste has experience in geriatrics and pediatrics and has also worked extensively in telephone triage. As part of her graduate thesis work, she created the TyMed Wheel, a device used to assist patients and families in scheduling complex medications. This device received a patent in 2016. Celeste is a nurse educator and advocate for ensuring that nurses work at their optimal levels to ensure that patients receive optimum care. She has spoken at national nursing conferences, written articles, and volunteers with several organizations.
Treasurer - Niki Gjere
Niki Gjere is a Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist. She currently works at Allina Health in the Mental Health and Addiction Clinical Service Line. She is a co-chair of the System Violence Prevention Council and Restraint Committee, and a member of the Allina Health IRB. She is an affiliate faculty at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing.
Niki has her PhD in Nursing. She has been a nurse for decades as staff nurse and nurse leader in inpatient psych mental health nursing. Her passions include workplace violence prevention and advocacy for patients and nursing staff.
She enjoys time with her husband, their adult children, grandchild, and chocolate lab Grizzley. She also enjoys time at her cabin up north.
Niki Gjere is a Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist. She currently works at Allina Health in the Mental Health and Addiction Clinical Service Line. She is a co-chair of the System Violence Prevention Council and Restraint Committee, and a member of the Allina Health IRB. She is an affiliate faculty at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing.
Niki has her PhD in Nursing. She has been a nurse for decades as staff nurse and nurse leader in inpatient psych mental health nursing. Her passions include workplace violence prevention and advocacy for patients and nursing staff.
She enjoys time with her husband, their adult children, grandchild, and chocolate lab Grizzley. She also enjoys time at her cabin up north.
Director - Nikule Abel
Nikule Abel is a Cardiovascular and Surgical Transplant ICU nurse at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. In 2021, she graduated with a BSN with honors and the Clinical Excellence Award from the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV). Nikule held several director positions including Board of Director for the National Student Nurses’ Association where she served as the Committee Chair of Health Policy and Advocacy and Ethics and Governance. She also served on UNLV’s School of Nursing Association Board.
Nikule continues to immerse herself, in her passions, both seen in healthcare and everyday life; including racial injustices and DEI work for both underserved communities and the LGBTQIA+ community. She is currently an elected Director for MNORN and Director at Large – Recent Graduate for the American Nurses Association.
She is a knowledgeable patient-focused nursing leader who embodies a passion for learning and growing professionally in the field of nursing. Nikule devotes her time to being a mentor to nursing students, serving her community through volunteering, and advancing the profession of nursing through her endeavors.
Nikule is a dedicated wife and mother to her three beautiful children.
Nikule Abel is a Cardiovascular and Surgical Transplant ICU nurse at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. In 2021, she graduated with a BSN with honors and the Clinical Excellence Award from the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV). Nikule held several director positions including Board of Director for the National Student Nurses’ Association where she served as the Committee Chair of Health Policy and Advocacy and Ethics and Governance. She also served on UNLV’s School of Nursing Association Board.
Nikule continues to immerse herself, in her passions, both seen in healthcare and everyday life; including racial injustices and DEI work for both underserved communities and the LGBTQIA+ community. She is currently an elected Director for MNORN and Director at Large – Recent Graduate for the American Nurses Association.
She is a knowledgeable patient-focused nursing leader who embodies a passion for learning and growing professionally in the field of nursing. Nikule devotes her time to being a mentor to nursing students, serving her community through volunteering, and advancing the profession of nursing through her endeavors.
Nikule is a dedicated wife and mother to her three beautiful children.
Director - Alexandra Bates
Alexandra Bates currently works as a Performance Improvement Advisor (Quality) at Mayo Clinic Health System, Mankato. She started her nursing career in 2013 in the Nurse Residency Program at Mayo Clinic Florida. Prior to working in Quality, Alex worked as a PCU and ICU nurse and as a nurse manager for a medical-surgical unit. She also worked as adjunct faculty for Chamberlain University.
Alex has her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in health systems leadership and innovation from Yale University. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Health. Her areas of professional interest include wound care and quality improvement methodologies.
Alex loves spending time with her husband and two kiddos. She also enjoys driving up to the Twin Cities and trying new restaurants.
Alexandra Bates currently works as a Performance Improvement Advisor (Quality) at Mayo Clinic Health System, Mankato. She started her nursing career in 2013 in the Nurse Residency Program at Mayo Clinic Florida. Prior to working in Quality, Alex worked as a PCU and ICU nurse and as a nurse manager for a medical-surgical unit. She also worked as adjunct faculty for Chamberlain University.
Alex has her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in health systems leadership and innovation from Yale University. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Health. Her areas of professional interest include wound care and quality improvement methodologies.
Alex loves spending time with her husband and two kiddos. She also enjoys driving up to the Twin Cities and trying new restaurants.
Director - Sarah Stevens
Sarah Stevens currently is a public health nurse manager in family home visiting for Olmsted County Public Health. Her background includes working as a nurse in the areas of orthopedic trauma, hyperbaric medicine, and maternal/child home visiting. Sarah has found her passion in public health and loves that she can connect and advocate for health from the individual all the way up to the community level, recognizing that there are multiple determinants and intersections to health and well-being.
Sarah has her Doctor of Practice in Nursing (DNP) in health innovation and leadership from University of Minnesota. Sarah has a passion for mentoring and leading through involvement with local, regional, and state organizations and boards.
Sarah lives with her husband and two kids in Rochester, MN where they engage in all sorts of outside activities. Current favorites include- Nordic skiing, swimming (inside and outside), hiking, biking, disc golfing, soccer, canoeing, and skijoring with our hound mix (definitely a work in progress)
Sarah Stevens currently is a public health nurse manager in family home visiting for Olmsted County Public Health. Her background includes working as a nurse in the areas of orthopedic trauma, hyperbaric medicine, and maternal/child home visiting. Sarah has found her passion in public health and loves that she can connect and advocate for health from the individual all the way up to the community level, recognizing that there are multiple determinants and intersections to health and well-being.
Sarah has her Doctor of Practice in Nursing (DNP) in health innovation and leadership from University of Minnesota. Sarah has a passion for mentoring and leading through involvement with local, regional, and state organizations and boards.
Sarah lives with her husband and two kids in Rochester, MN where they engage in all sorts of outside activities. Current favorites include- Nordic skiing, swimming (inside and outside), hiking, biking, disc golfing, soccer, canoeing, and skijoring with our hound mix (definitely a work in progress)
Director - Misty Wilkie
Misty Wilkie is an enrolled citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians in North Dakota. She
is passionate about health equity and improved health outcomes for underserved populations but particularly for American Indian/Alaska Natives (AI/AN). She is committed to advancing diversity in the nursing workforce and founded Niganawenimaanaanig (an Ojibwe word that translates to ‘we take care of them’) in 2017 at Bemidji State University which is a HRSA Nursing Workforce Diversity funded program to increase the number of AI/AN baccalaureate prepared nurses.
Misty earned her PhD in Nursing and has been a registered nurse for over 25 years. She has spent the past 18 years in higher education teaching in LPN, ADN, and BSN programs. She recently joined the the University of Minnesota School of Nursing as a Clinical Associate Professor teaching in the DNP program and serving as a Faculty Mentor/Liaison for the Doctoral Education Pathway for AI/ANs.
Misty loves spending time on the lake, traveling, or fishing with her husband and three children. She shares a passion serving as a mentor and leader through involvement with local, regional, and national boards and is a firm believer that representation matters.
Misty Wilkie is an enrolled citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians in North Dakota. She
is passionate about health equity and improved health outcomes for underserved populations but particularly for American Indian/Alaska Natives (AI/AN). She is committed to advancing diversity in the nursing workforce and founded Niganawenimaanaanig (an Ojibwe word that translates to ‘we take care of them’) in 2017 at Bemidji State University which is a HRSA Nursing Workforce Diversity funded program to increase the number of AI/AN baccalaureate prepared nurses.
Misty earned her PhD in Nursing and has been a registered nurse for over 25 years. She has spent the past 18 years in higher education teaching in LPN, ADN, and BSN programs. She recently joined the the University of Minnesota School of Nursing as a Clinical Associate Professor teaching in the DNP program and serving as a Faculty Mentor/Liaison for the Doctoral Education Pathway for AI/ANs.
Misty loves spending time on the lake, traveling, or fishing with her husband and three children. She shares a passion serving as a mentor and leader through involvement with local, regional, and national boards and is a firm believer that representation matters.