Leadership Team for Pain and Palliative Care
Stefan J. Friedrichsdorf, MD
Medical Director, Pain and Palliative Care Program
Stefan J. Friedrichsdorf is a Diplomat of the American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, and the medical director of the Pain and Palliative Care Program. He is a pediatrician specializing in pain management and palliative care. He graduated from medical school in the medieval city of Lübeck (Germany) 1998 and undertook Pediatric Training at the Vest Children's Hospital in Datteln, Germany (University of Witten/Herdecke) 1998-2003; he had additional Palliative care training in Poland and the UK He is trained in Hypnotherapy for Children by the Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. He completed a Fellowship in Pediatric Pain & Palliative Care at the Children's Hospital at Westmead in Sydney, Australia 2003-2005.
He leads Children's interdisciplinary pain clinic, and cares for children with acute and chronic pain as well as those with palliative and hospice needs. He provides home care visits for pediatric hospice patients, and had published and lectured nationally and internationally on pediatric pain and palliative care.
Jody ‘Joan’ Chrastek, RN, BA, MSN, CHPN (Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse)
Coordinator, Pain and Palliative Care Program
Jody Chrastek is the Coordinator for the Pain and Palliative Care program at Children’s of Minnesota. She provides coordination, leadership and program development for the Pain and Palliative Care team. Born and raised in India, she completed nursing and midwifery training in Scotland. She specialized in pediatric Palliative Care in her Masters program from the University of Minnesota. She has experience in hospital, home care and school nursing. She has published and lectured nationally and internationally on issues of pediatric palliative care.
Stacy S. Remke, MSW, LICSW
Coordinator, Children's Institute for Palliative Care (CIPPC)
Stacy S. Remke is a clinical social worker and licensed family therapist. She completed her BA in Journalism from Kenyon College, Ohio, and her Masters of Social Work from the University of Minnesota. She has experience in mental health, family therapy and pediatric palliative care.
She provides leadership and program development within the Pain and Palliative Care Program. She has worked at Children's since 1987, providing care to children with complex conditions and their families. She has presented nationally and internationally and has published articles on Pediatric Palliative care issues.
Physicians and Advanced Practice Nurses
Kaci L. Osenga, MD
Physician, Pain and Palliative Care Program
Kaci Osenga is a board certified pediatrician with the Pain and Palliative Care Program at the Children’s Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota. She is a pediatrician specializing in pain and symptom management, and palliative care. She completed medical school and a general pediatric residency at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Dr. Osenga went on to complete a fellowship in pediatric hematology and oncology at the University of WI-Madison as well. Following completion of her fellowship she spent two years completing the Clinical Oncologist Research Training Program at UW-Madison where she focused on palliative care.
Dr. Osenga cares for children with a variety of acute and chronic conditions, including those with palliative and hospice care needs. She offers home visits to patients who are cared for by our Karuna, Palliative Care and Hospice Programs.
Deb Fitzgerald, RN, CPNP
Deb is a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner on the inpatient Pain and Palliative Care team. She received her undergraduate degree and her master’s degree in Nursing from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, MN. Deb received her certification as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in 2003.
Deb does daily inpatient rounding and consultations on children requiring acute and/or chronic pain evaluation and management. In addition, she rounds on children involved in the Karuna program at home while they are inpatient and new inpatient palliative care consultations/referrals.
Barb Symalla RN, CNS
Barb is a Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist on the inpatient Pain and Palliative Care team. She received her undergraduate degree in nursing from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, MN and her Masters degree as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Pediatric Oncology Nursing at Rush University in Chicago, IL. Barb is also adjunct faculty for the University of MN School of Nursing.
In addition to her daily rounding on inpatients, Barb has been actively involved in developing the inpatient pain team and methods to improve pain care. She has spoken nationally at conferences on Pediatric Pain management
Nursing Staff
Kirsten Childe, RN, BAN
Kirsten Is a nurse on the Home care Karuna and Hospice programs. She received her BA in nursing from St Olaf College. Before joining the Home Care and Pain and Palliative Care staff in 2005, Kirsten worked as an RN on the 6th floor at Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Kirsten has a special interest in working with the Deeya program as well as utilizing Spanish skills in her home visits.
Donna Eull RN, BSN, MA
Donna received her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of MN in 1986, her Masters in Organizational Management from Concordia University in 2001, and has been a nurse at Children’s since October, 1986. Donna has worked extensively with families in providing pain and symptom management for children both at home and in the hospital setting. Donna is nationally certified in Hospice and Palliative Care, and currently works with families in the outpatient clinic setting to meet the needs of palliative care children who live outside the metro area. Donna is also the nurse coordinator for the Interdisciplinary Pain Clinic, working within a team to assist children with complex pain needs and their families.
Sara Hasse RN, BSN
Sara received her Bachelor’s Degree from Gustavus Alolphus College in St Peter, MN. She has worked at Children's Hospitals and Clinics in home care for her whole r career. She has a variety of positions starting in extended hour nursing, then a short stint as educator orienting new staff before finding my niche as Case Manager/Visiting nurse. She enjoys the variety and challenge in home visits and especially the privilege of working with families of Hospice patients during their times of crisis.
Matt Lodahl, RN, MSN
Matt is a nurse in the Hospice and Karuna programs. He received his Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and his Masters of Science in Public Health Nursing with a focus on Pediatric Palliative Care from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Matt has special interest in research on issues of pediatric palliative care.
Psycho Social Staff
Tammy Abbott MSW, LICSW
Tammy is a licensed clinical social worker. She received a BA in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and an M.S.W. from the College of St. Catherine/University of St. Thomas. She has worked with the Children’s of Minnesota Pain and Palliative Care and Hospice programs since 1999.
Cynthia L. Daughtry
Cynthia is a clinical social worker for Pain and Palliative Care Program at Children’s of Minnesota. She received a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Social Work degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. Cynthia has specialized training in family therapy, group work and individual therapy. She has 14 years of experience in palliative care.
Reverend Peter E. Lund, Mdiv Chaplain
Peter is a chaplain for the Hospice and Karuna programs. He attended Gustavus Adolphus College, receiving his Bachelor’s degree in Religion and Psychology. He earned his Masters in Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School in Newton Centre, Massachusetts. He is an ordained Minister in the United Church of Christ and worked in a church for three years. Peter has worked with families from many diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds and has been part of the Healing Quilt Bereavement program at Children’s.
Margaret S. Monson, CCLS, BS
Margaret is the Child Life Specialist for Hospice and Karuna programs, joining Children’s in 1991. She graduated from Springfield College, Springfield MA, in Medical Rehabilitation with minors in Art Therapy and Child Development and is a Certified Child Life Specialist. Margaret is a developmental specialist providing expertise with end of life issues affecting patients and siblings, providing skills to offer children opportunities for emotional expression and legacy building. She offers parenting support and guidance to promote positive and practical parenting in the home. Her personal interests include playing with her three children, cooking, knitting, and watching/participating in sports.
Martha Schermer, MSW, LICSW
Martha is a clinical social worker. Martha received a B.A. in Social Work from the College of St. Benedict and her M.S.W. from the College of St. Catherine and the University of St. Thomas. She has worked at Children's Hospitals and Clinics since 1995 and with the Pain and Palliative Care team since 2001. Martha works primarily with families in their homes through the Karuna and Hospice Programs. She has a special interest in the Deeya Program (Perinatal Hospice).
Research
Andrea Nugent, MPH, CCRC
Andrea is a clinical research coordinator in the Pain and Palliative Care Program. She received her undergraduate degree from Macalester College in St. Paul, MN and her master of public health degree from Emory University in Atlanta, GA. She has 10 years of health research experience, including over 4 years of experience in pediatric clinical research. She is a Certified Clinical Research Coordinator and member of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals.
Support Staff
Bridget McMahon, BA
Bridget earned her degree form the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is the administrative assistant for Children's Institute for Palliative Care (CIPPC). She organizes the logistics of the educational outreach for the Pain and Palliative Care team.
Volunteer Services
Sandy Bergeron
Sandy has worked in volunteer management since 1982, having worked at Children's of Minnesota since 1991. She has been past president of Minnesota's state volunteer management association, and currently serves on the state conference committee and as the Job Bank Chair. She has presented at local, state and national conferences on best practices within volunteer management.
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