Meet the Team Superstars that will be representing Children’s Minnesota this weekend at the Medtronic Twin Cities races! This year, Children’s Minnesota staff and patient families were prioritized for charity bibs. Read on to learn why they are running and some of the programs they are fundraising for.
See you in the cheering section!
If you’re interested in cheering Team Superstars on in person, there will be a designated Team Superstars “cheer area” on the course.
Visit us near the corner of Summit and Snelling in front of Summit House (1576 Summit Avenue, St. Paul). Look for the Team Superstars banner, bubbles and star balloons. This will be just past 6.5 mile (10-mile race) and at 22.75 mile (marathon race).
The Kid Experts running for Team Superstars
“I am privileged to work with many amazing providers and staff in this group, where we focus on assessment and intervention for children with neurodevelopmental differences, such autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and more! The need for support in this program is great, as there are many children in need of our services who face challenges, including difficulty accessing services and long wait times. I plan to raise money with the goal of providing even more opportunities for patients and families to complete necessary assessments and access services to help promote their development.”
Find Dr. Adam Langenfeld’s fundraising page here.
“I am truly grateful to be part of a wonderful team here at Childrens Minnesota who are dedicated to improving the quality of care and the experience of our patients and their families. I am running the 10-mile race to help raise funds for the Family Services programs. Your Generous donations will be used to enhance vital resources to the families we serve.”
Find Dr. Abdul Abdi’s fundraising page here.
This year’s team has grown significantly since last year’s race was cancelled. Now, the team is ready for their comeback – bigger and even stronger than last year. The team includes clinic and 7th floor staff along with present and past patient families. We’re extending an extra thank you to the team captains Rachel, Erin and Bri. They planned exciting fundraising events, a traveling banner for patient families to sign and group training runs.
Here are a few reasons for why the runners are fundraising:
Dana Krall, RN
“Over my career I have seen kids do hard things that they never had a choice in. They have faced these challenges head on and with a determination like no other. When I heard about the 10-mile run, I first thought it would be impossible for me to do. I made the decision to train and tackle this personal goal as well as raise money…all funds raised will support this absolutely incredible population of kids that I am lucky enough to work with every day… They do hard things, so can I!”
Katie Tucci, RN
“Over the years I’ve learned what true strength, determination and resiliency really looks like. Our kids, our patients, are real life superheroes who have made an impact on all of our lives in one way or another. So, I’m going to take the lessons they have taught me and I’m going to tie up my running shoes and give it my all for those 10 miles! The challenges that I have yet to face are nothing compared to the challenges that these kids and their families face each and every day.”
Full team
Children’s Minnesota kid experts
- Rachel Laquere, RDN, LD (co-captain).
- Erin Bevers, RN (co-captain).
- Bri Depauw, RN (co-captain).
- Vicki Schaefers, APRN, CPNP-AC, senior director ambulatory service line.
- Chelsea Self, MD.
- Nathan Gossai, MD.
- Krista Gossai, DDS.
- Stephanie Fritch Lilla, MD.
- Jennifer Hess, DO.
- Megan Hilgers, MD.
- Will Geng, MD.
- Russ Wolters, MD.
- Teresa Herriage, DPN APRN CPNP-PC.
- Sarah Slater, DPN APRN CPNP-PC.
- Allison Galkowski, DNP, APRN, FNP-C.
- Lori Ellingson, RN.
- Alexandria Finnessy, RN.
- Erin Sonnek, RN.
- Emily Pozniak, RN.
- Heather Schramka, RN.
- Jeffrey Mason, PT.
- Yara Ghazal, CA.
- Raeme Cheatham, CA.
- Zach Faith, medical scribe.
- Claire Franke, RN.
- Christy Shleper, RN.
- Nancy Rivera, CA.
- Nick Purdie, medical scribe.
- Karla Rocha, LEP, patient family advocate.
- Jessica Angell, BSN, RN, CPHON.
- Dana Krall, RN.
- Katie Tucci, RN .
- Kellin Swanson, LGSW.
- Alli Johnson, OT.
Grateful patient families
- Alicia Crisp.
- Jennifer Helleen.
- Catherine (Cayte) Anderson.
- Dan Altstatt.
- Dawn Altstatt.
Find their fundraising page here.
“One of the reasons why I wanted to work at Children’s [Minnesota] is because of the Gender Health Clinic. The work that Dr. Kade Goepferd and their team do is so important, especially right now. I am in awe of them and their patients, transgender and gender nonconforming kids who just want to live their best lives. Tackling the Loony Challenge will be tough, but not as tough as being a trans or gender nonconforming kid can be.”
Find Cass Casarez’s fundraising page here.
“My patients inspire me every day- this year I am running to share their joy and honor their stories. I am a speech language pathologist specializing in pediatric cleft palate, cochlear implants, complex syndromes and gender affirming voice.”
Find Heidi Wiebuch’s fundraising page here.
“I started working with babies after the loss of my daughter Ellousie. I strive to live my life in honor of her every day, this has inspired me to join Team Superstars.”
Find Kaitlyn Mergen’s fundraising page here.
“I am fortunate to serve patients in the emergency department (ED) at Children’s Minnesota in Minneapolis. I am learning so much from the hard-working interdisciplinary team in the ED about managing pediatric illness, injuries, traumas, and resuscitations. Perhaps the most powerful learning thus far, however, has been daily exposure to how impactful social determinants of health are on the children and families who come through our doors…the impact of systemic racism and other discrimination, poverty, intergenerational trauma, and inconsistent access to safe water, food, and housing is enormous and contributes to health disparities along lines of race, socioeconomic status, and other identities.”
Find Mary Utz’s fundraising page here.
“This year marks my ten-year anniversary with Children’s Minnesota. I could not be prouder to be a Kid Expert on our cardiovascular team. Not just because we champion the health needs of children and their families. But, because we continually join together and live that mission everywhere: at the bedside, in our meeting rooms, and in our communities.”
Find Paul Paulisich’s fundraising page here.
“I am running the TC 10 mile to raise money for Childrens Cardiovascular Program. Please help me to support these sweet and strong Heart Warriors that I have the honor of caring for!”
Find Sally Hagen’s fundraising page here.
Grateful patient families running for Team Superstars
“In March of 2021, my then 6-year-old son, Gavin, was diagnosed with leukemia (B-cell ALL) at Children’s Hospital Minneapolis. Despite all of the procedures, treatments, appointments, masking, hospital stays, ER visits, medications, side effects, and hair loss, Gavin was able to move through treatment honestly feeling as though cancer wasn’t so hard at all. Gavin is now 9 years old, and is only now starting to process how serious cancer can be, because he really does reflect on mostly positive memories of his time at the hematology/oncology clinic. This was only possible from the caring, supportive staff that helped Gavin feel like he can be himself, give him control over the decisions he could control, and with treatment masked as play. He doesn’t have memories of weekly lumbar punctures – he has memories of playing the animal guessing game with Child Life.” Ever since Gavin has finished treatment (May 2023), my family and I have been looking for the best way to give back to the community that really helped us when we needed it most. I’m honored to be asked to be a part of this team and cannot wait to help give back to Children’s [Minnesota] hospital!”
Find Alicia Crisp‘s fundraising page here.
“Charlie’s life story has a pre–May 2nd, and a post–May 2nd. Post May 2nd, as unlucky as he was to have developed t-cell leukemia, he was a uniquely gifted and intelligent 11-year-old fighter and soon to be survivor. Our family was onboarded into a world we never wanted to be a part of, but became so thankful that world at Children’s Minnesota existed. We’ll never be able to thank the nurses and the doctors and all the people that work there enough. We are grateful for our community’s support and in awe of the research that paved the way to destroy leukemia and save the lives of kids like Charlie…By the time we run the twin cities 10 miler in October, Charlie will have finished his treatment, scheduled for September 27th, after a 3 year, 4-month journey, leukemia free.”
Find Dan and Dawn Altstatt’s fundraising page here.
“My niece was hospitalized here last year and the care she and our family received was unmatched. We also were referred here for additional testing that needed to be done with our newborn around the same time last year and Children’s Minnesota helped to guide us along the way and ensure that each and every one of our questions were answered. We left in both scenarios knowing that we received the best care possible. I couldn’t think of a more deserving organization to raise money for.”
Find Dominique Oker’s fundraising page here.
“In July of 2021 Flin was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of Wilms tumor. He completed 44 weeks of treatment, which required several hospital stays and endless clinic visits. Children’s was our home away from home and will always hold a special place in our heart for helping Flin win the battle. In October, I’ll be joining Team Superstars and running the Twin Cities 10 mile along with several of the Oncology staff at Children’s, including a few of his incredible care team who supported Flin and our family along the way. I am not a runner. When they asked me to run with them this spring I didn’t even have the chance to say no. Flin said, “If I can beat cancer, you can run 10 miles.” Challenge accepted. How could I say no to that?”
Find Jen Helleen’s fundraising page here.
“Kenzie is a spunky, sassy 9-year-old girl who takes on every challenge in her wake. Her biggest challenge to date: recovering after her 4th major heart surgery at almost 8 years old. Kenzie has taught everyone a lot of life lessons in her short years. She’s given her family the strength and positive energy they have now – seeing a child go through something like that and survive, just shows you how strong someone can be when they really need to be. Kenzie’s family is so thankful for the amazing technologies she’s encountered and used over the years, along with her team of doctors, nurses, and technicians who have repeatedly saved Kenzie’s life. Miracles truly do happen within the walls of Children’s Minnesota.”
Find Jessica Goodman’s fundraising page here.
“In 2022 my son was diagnosed with a rare and complicated brain tumor, aneurysm, and epliepsy. It’s been a few years of getting doctors and surgeons in place, managing seizures plus trying to get the ground beneath us…Zachary is the strongest and most positive kid we know. He is a superhero, warrior and champion and I’m blessed he is my son. This is my way at giving back and I’m proud to run, support awareness and keep the race going one step at a time. It’s been complicated, but are beyond grateful for Children’s Minnesota’s doctors and staff.”
Find Joe Sonnek‘s fundraising page here.
“While my family has been fortunate to only have one direct experience, ear tubes for our son, Everett, we were so impressed by the quality of care we received, not to mention the child-centered approach taken from beginning to end, we want to ensure every family’s experience remains the same.”
Find John Giese’s fundraising page here.
“Kate and I experienced Child and Family Services firsthand last year when our daughter Sophia spent a week at Children’s Minnesota in Minneapolis. Her eyes lit up during daily music therapy, and watching “The Dude” on the Star Studio channel kept her engaged and entertained while stuck in a hospital room. Child and Family Services is funded entirely from donations, and patients do not see a dollar on their bill for these services, but they make a significant impact on the experience of patient families during a tough time.”
Find Michael Bisanz’s fundraising page here.
“I delivered my daughter, Xochitl, via emergency c-section. She weighed only 3 lbs .05 oz and was immediately taken to the NICU at Children’s Hospital. From the moment she arrived in the NICU, we felt incredibly fortunate that our daughter was in the hands of one of the best children’s hospitals in Minnesota. The skilled nurses and physicians not only provided exceptional care but also gave my husband and me the confidence to care for our premature baby once we left the hospital. Xochitl’s main challenge was gaining weight, and thanks to the dedicated care she received, she steadily progressed. The nurses were patient, compassionate, and experts in handling her needs, even teaching us how to care for her GERD condition. After about a month in the NICU, when Xochitl finally reached 4 lbs, we were able to bring her home. It was a moment filled with gratitude, tinged with the anxiety of taking over where the NICU team had been so vital. But thanks to their support, we were ready.”
Find Stephanie Rishavy’s fundraising page here.
