Local Staff & Board

 

 

Emily leads a team at a local biotech company to bioengineer fully transplantable human kidneys to help patients suffering with end stage kidney disease. Building organs and creating technologies that can help the community has been a personal passion and mission for Emily for the last several decades. She became involved with the National Kidney Foundation through the Twin Cities Kidney Walk in 2022 and joined the board in 2023.

 

Jennifer is a long-time kidney patient and a strong, motivated advocate for kidney health. She serves as an NKF PEER Mentor to help other patients navigate their journey with kidney disease, and as a Donate Life Ambassador to educate the public about organ donation. As a writer, speaker, (and happiness seeker), she addresses topics of living well with uncertainty. Jennifer joined the Board in 2019 and contributes passionate leadership to advance awareness and raise funds to support the life-saving mission of the NKF. Jennifer currently serves as the chair of the Minnesota Board of Advisors.

 

Bernadeia has over 40 years of experience in education ranging from teaching fifth grade to Deputy Superintendent of the Memphis City Schools, Deputy Superintendent, and later Superintendent of the Minneapolis Public Schools. Bernadeia earned her B.S. From Alabama A & M University, her Masters’s from St. Thomas University, and her principal license and doctorate from the University of Minnesota. Johnson currently teaches and conducts research dedicated to understanding the lived experiences of African American school and district leaders. Bernadeia is a frequent testifier at the Minnesota Legislature on Solutions not Suspensions. She has presented locally and nationally on her work to introduce School-based Mental health into the Minneapolis Public Schools. Dr. Johnson is a National Board Certified teacher and she serves on local and national boards, including as the board chair of the Minnesota Education Equity Partnership, to promote education as a public good.

 

As a business leader in St. Paul, Jason aims to help spread awareness and advance the NKF mission through his work on the Board. Driven to give back after his own mother was on dialysis for 19 years and ultimately passing away from kidney issues, Jason hopes to help other families like his who are affected by kidney disease.

 

Bio coming soon!

 

 

Song Min joined the board in 2024, bringing with him a strong background in research and a personal dedication to kidney health. He leads a team at a local research company that works with multiple pharmaceutical sponsors on studies involving Investigational Products designed to benefit patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and those undergoing dialysis. Song Min's involvement with the National Kidney Foundation started with the Twin Cities Kidney Walk in 2023. His motivation to contribute to the field grew from his personal experience of donating a kidney to his wife through Mayo Clinic’s Kidney Paired Donation program. Driven by his own journey, Song Min is committed to leveraging his experience to improve the complex healthcare system for other donors and recipients, helping to navigate and enhance their experiences.

 

Kevin Plosser 
Regional CFO, Monogram Health

 

 

 

 

Tim is a father, husband, entrepreneur, and kidney recipient living in Inver Grove with his wife, Mary Ellen, and their 11 year old daughter. Tim was diagnosed with FSGS at the age of 22, and ultimately received a kidney from his younger sister, in 2008. Tim joined the NKF Serving MN Board in 2021 and is excited for the opportunity to bring more people to the cause through his professional and personal network and utilize his passion to help drive awareness, outreach, and funds to enable the NKF to do more for the donor and recipient community.

 

Jean is an HR Executive in the Twin Cities with 17 years’ experience in healthcare, 15 of those years with DaVita Kidney Care, where she had the privilege of supporting the Upper Midwest clinics and the caregivers who are critical to giving life to kidney patients. Jean is committed to helping raise awareness for kidney disease having a personal connection to it through a lifelong childhood friend whose entire family has been impacted by it both through dialysis and kidney donations. Jean became a member of the Board to help others have the opportunity to access to care and resources as those close to her have received. Jean and her husband Mike live in Maple Grove.

 

 

Dr. Ramanathan obtained his medical degree at the University of Texas, Southwestern. He then completed surgical residency at Indiana University in Indianapolis, followed by training in liver, kidney, and pancreas transplantation at the University of Minnesota. He is very excited to have joined the transplant surgery faculty at the University of Minnesota, and to have this opportunity to serve on the medical advisory board of the National Kidney Foundation. He first gained an understanding of the problem of renal failure from his mother, who worked as a dietitian in a dialysis unit in his hometown for many years. He saw the incredible alteration renal failure requires fundamental aspects of living, as well as the significant emotional, physical, and financial burdens it exacts on patients and families. His mother told him stories of the people she cared for, of those who struggled with this disease for years and of those who received life saving transplantation. Dr. Ramanathan is interested in working on all aspects of this disease process and in helping to develop programs and legislation to support patients with renal failure as well as those able to give the gift of life, and is eager to engage in this opportunity going forward.

 

Dr. Boumitri is a nephrologist and assistant professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota. She joined the faculty in 2010 after completing residency and fellowship training at the Cleveland Clinic. She is the clinical director of nephrology at the University of Minnesota and the medical director of the University Davita dialysis unit. She takes care of chronic kidney disease, hypertension and dialysis patients and organizes patient education. She strongly believes in patient education to empower patients to take control of their kidney health. She enjoys spending time with her husband and four children, traveling and reading.

 

Dr. Karam is an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota with a special interest in onco-nephrology, hypertension, and home dialysis. She is also passionate about the global advancement and equity in kidney health and is a member of several committees and working groups within the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and most notably Dr. Karam is currently the chair of the Young Nephrologists Committee (YNC) of the ISN. She is a firm believer in the importance of empowering the patient through dedicated and culturally-sensitive education and speaks, in addition to English, Arabic, French and Spanish. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family outdoors and discovering culturally diverse Minnesota.

 

Sarah Kaspari - DNP, RN, NE-BC
Sarah Kaspari (DNP, RN, NE-BC) is the Administrative Director of the Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Programs, Ambulatory Cardiology Clinic Operations and ANGMA Clinics at Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute (AHMHI). She began her nursing career at AHMHI in 2008 as a cardiac nurse and in 2015 joined the advanced heart failure, VAD and transplant team. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Master of Science in Nursing from Benedictine University and her Doctorate of Nursing Practice from the University of Minnesota. Additionally, she is a Board Certified Nurse Executive.

 

Dr. Madhusoodanan earned her medical degree at the University of Minnesota Medical School. and went on to complete Internal Medicine residency and Nephrology Fellowship at Hennepin County Medical Center. Since finishing training, she has joined InterMed Consultants where she sees kidney patients in the hospital, dialysis units, and clinic. She enjoys educating patients and relating with them as she was a caretaker for a family member with kidney disease. She has a passion for helping those struggling with the disease find a way to thrive and live their best lives. Dr. Madhusoodanan has seen people's lives transform with transplantation but finds it equally important to find ways for people to live their best if transplant isn't an option for them. Outside of patient care she enjoys spending time with her pup and husband, hiking, and baking.

 

Dr. Riad is a nephrologist with expertise in kidney and pancreas transplantation. Dr. Riad specializes in immunosuppression management for kidney and pancreas transplantation and related complications. Dr. Riad is an advocate for individuals with kidney disorders and is passionate about empowering individuals with kidney disorders through outreach and education.

 

 

Dr. Visaya completed his Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Minnesota and his Nephrology Fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco. He has been in practice with Kidney Specialists of Minnesota since 1999. In addition to his ongoing clinical duties with Kidney Specialists of Minnesota, he is also presently the Co-Chair of the Medical Advisory Board for Fresenius Medical Care and the President of the Evergreen Nephrology Physician Leadership Council.

 

 

Hello, I am Dr. Praveen Errabelli. I am currently working as a Nephrologist with Allina health in Twin cities. I finished my Nephrology fellowship at university of Arkansas for medical sciences, Little Rock. I am a clinical nephrologist with interest in clinical research. I have published few papers and continuing the work. I am a member of American society of Nephrology, National kidney foundation and Fellow of American society of Nephrology (FASN). I like to work with organizations that strive to educate, promote awareness about kidney health in community and provide necessary resources for the population that is struggling with kidney related ailments.

 

Kayla is the Nephrology RN Clinic Manager at the University of Minnesota with 10 years of experience in Nephrology. Her passion for kidney care began as a hemodialysis nurse at Fresenius Medical Care, and she has since dedicated her career to improving the lives of patients with kidney disease. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Mankato State University. Kayla is committed to empowering patients through education, believing knowledge is key to managing their health. She has a special interest in serving underserved populations and advocating for policies that improve access to care. Outside of work, she enjoys outdoor activities with her husband, two sons, and their German Shepherd.

 

Diana obtained her master of nursing degree from St. Catherine University. She joined the nephrology practice at CentraCare in 2022 where she sees chronic kidney disease and dialysis patients in the St. Cloud Hospital, CentraCare clinics in St. Cloud, Willmar, and Redwood Falls, and dialysis patients in various dialysis centers in mid- and southwest-Minnesota. Diana believes in partnering with, guiding, and empowering patients to execute their own unique care plan that best attains their health care goals.