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 is currently the Education Specialist for Employee Health at HealthPartners. She started her nursing career at a 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 Ò Wheel, a device used to assist patients and families in scheduling complex medication schedules. 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 is currently the Education Specialist for Employee Health at HealthPartners. She started her nursing career at a 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 Ò Wheel, a device used to assist patients and families in scheduling complex medication schedules. 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 M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center. She is an affiliate faculty at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing and adjunct faculty at Minnesota State University, Mankato. She is also a member of the University of Minnesota Institutional Review Board (IRB).
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 M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center. She is an affiliate faculty at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing and adjunct faculty at Minnesota State University, Mankato. She is also a member of the University of Minnesota Institutional Review Board (IRB).
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 - Brett Anderson
Brett Anderson leads Ecumen’s integrated clinical, innovation and operations areas, driving holistic leading-edge solutions for health and societal challenges in our communities. Brett joined Ecumen in 2014 as a Clinical Director and was most recently VP of Health and Clinical Services.
Before joining Ecumen, Brett owned and operated CareLogix Nursing Solutions. He also served as an Adjunct Instructor at Minnesota State University in Mankato and as an Instructor at Saint Paul College. Brett was appointed by Governor Mark Dayton to serve on the Board of Trustees for the Minnesota State College & Universities System from 2011-2013.
Brett has a Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Management from Metropolitan State University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Minnesota State University in Mankato. He is a Registered Nurse, a Certified Public Health Nurse and board-certified Nurse Executive.
Brett Anderson leads Ecumen’s integrated clinical, innovation and operations areas, driving holistic leading-edge solutions for health and societal challenges in our communities. Brett joined Ecumen in 2014 as a Clinical Director and was most recently VP of Health and Clinical Services.
Before joining Ecumen, Brett owned and operated CareLogix Nursing Solutions. He also served as an Adjunct Instructor at Minnesota State University in Mankato and as an Instructor at Saint Paul College. Brett was appointed by Governor Mark Dayton to serve on the Board of Trustees for the Minnesota State College & Universities System from 2011-2013.
Brett has a Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Management from Metropolitan State University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Minnesota State University in Mankato. He is a Registered Nurse, a Certified Public Health Nurse and board-certified Nurse Executive.
Director - Nikule Abel
Nikule Abel is a new graduate Surgical Trauma Registered Nurse at Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN. She is a knowledgeable patient-focused nursing leader who embodies a passion for learning and growing professionally in the field of nursing. She graduated with a bachelors in nursing, with honors and the Clinical Excellence Award, from the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV). She is currently a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity, and the National Society of Leadership and Success.
While achieving her BSN she was held positions on several boards 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 and became a scholarship recipient for the Nurses in Washington.
Nikule immersed herself in her passions, both seen in healthcare and everyday life; including racial injustices and equity and inclusion for the LGBTQIA+ community. She authored the National Student Nurses’ Association Board of Directors 2021 Resolution “In Support of Policy Development and Education on Racism as a Public Health Threat. Furthermore, she became a integral leader in developing a health mentorship program, in partnership with Columbia University, to increase knowledge of LGBTQ health among nursing students.
Nikule is a dedicated wife and mother of two young children. Moreover, she devotes her time to being a mentor to nursing students, serving her community through volunteering, and pushing the future of nursing through her endeavors.
Nikule Abel is a new graduate Surgical Trauma Registered Nurse at Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN. She is a knowledgeable patient-focused nursing leader who embodies a passion for learning and growing professionally in the field of nursing. She graduated with a bachelors in nursing, with honors and the Clinical Excellence Award, from the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV). She is currently a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity, and the National Society of Leadership and Success.
While achieving her BSN she was held positions on several boards 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 and became a scholarship recipient for the Nurses in Washington.
Nikule immersed herself in her passions, both seen in healthcare and everyday life; including racial injustices and equity and inclusion for the LGBTQIA+ community. She authored the National Student Nurses’ Association Board of Directors 2021 Resolution “In Support of Policy Development and Education on Racism as a Public Health Threat. Furthermore, she became a integral leader in developing a health mentorship program, in partnership with Columbia University, to increase knowledge of LGBTQ health among nursing students.
Nikule is a dedicated wife and mother of two young children. Moreover, she devotes her time to being a mentor to nursing students, serving her community through volunteering, and pushing the future of nursing through her endeavors.
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 - 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.