Meet Our Staff
Bio
Marina graduated from the Program of Mortuary Science at the University of Minnesota in 2015. Marina is a licensed mortician in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Marina worked in the funeral industry for six years before joining the Anatomy Bequest Program in 2021. Marina works with internal and external end users to support their training and research needs. Marina also assigns and prepares the donors for medical education, training, and research events.
Contact
Address
3-102 Nils Hasselmo Hall 312 Church Street SE Minneapolis, MN 55455
Bio
Donna graduated from the Mortuary Science Program at the University of Minnesota in 1982 and is licensed by the state of Minnesota as a Mortician. Donna joined the Anatomy Bequest Program in April 2016 and has worked in the funeral industry full-time, part-time and as-needed since graduating. She has also been very active with the Program of Mortuary Science Alumni. Donna holds a part-time appointment as Final Disposition Coordinator. Her responsibilities include the safe and accurate return of our donor’s cremated remains to a legally responsible entity. She also participates in special projects and events at the Anatomy Bequest Program throughout the year.
Contact
Address
3-102 Nils Hasselmo Hall 312 Church Street SE Minneapolis, MN 55455
Bio
Casey has a background in Mortuary Science. She joined the Anatomy Bequest Program in 2015.
Casey performs focused and comprehensive audits aimed to identify risk management, ensure processes are in place and procedures are adhered to. In addition, Casey identifies and recommends process improvements to improve quality, increase efficiency, and/or reduce waste. She also controls and maintains records including standard operating procedures, forms, and documents.
Contact
Address
3-102 Nils Hasselmo Hall 312 Church Street SE Minneapolis, MN 55455
Bio
I serve as the Medical Student and Resident Site Director for General and Vascular Surgery at the University of Minnesota. My goal is to deliver clinical excellence, compassionate patient care, pioneering research, and to educate surgical leaders.
Research Summary
Experimental Stem Cell Transplantation Islet Allograft Transplantation Advances in Hepatobiliary and Minimally Invasive Surgery Patient Blood Transfusion Management Surgical Education
Clinical Summary
Acute Care Surgery; General surgery; Minimally Invasive Surgery; Transplant Surgery; Trauma Surgery; Surgical Critical Care
Education
Fellowships, Residencies, and Visiting Engagements
Licensures and Certifications
Honors and Recognition
Professional Memberships
Selected Publications
Contact
Address
Department of Surgery420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 195
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Administrative Contact
Marge Knutsen | mknutsen@umn.edu
Bio
Angela is recognized as a national subject matter expert in the area of anatomical donation with over a decade of policy creation, research, analysis, and advocacy experience. Angela has a background in mortuary science, forensic pathology, medical education and research, and public health. She is licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health as a mortician. Angela joined the Anatomy Bequest Program in 2002.
Medical School Departments
Room 3-005 NHH
1191A (Campus Delivery Code)
312 Church St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Office Phone:+1 612-625-0618
Professional Associations
- Leadership Council, American Association of Clinical Anatomists
- Subject Matter Expert, American Association of Tissue Banks- non-transplant anatomical donation standards and informed consent task forces
- Former Chair, Minnesota Commission of the Procurement and Use of Anatomical Donations
Contact
Address
3-102 Nils Hasselmo Hall, 312 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455
Gabby Anderson
Donation Coordinator Specialist
and10528@umn.edu
612-625-1111
Gabby has a degree in Criminal Justice and is currently completing her master’s degree in Forensic Science. She joined the Anatomy Bequest Program in 2022. Gabby takes care of general inquiries about the donation process through email and phone correspondence.
Brianna Garrett
Research and Clinical Coordinator, External Course Coodinator
bequest@umn.edu
612-625-4990
Bri graduated with a Bachelor's in Biology from the University of Minnesota in 2019. Prior to joining Bequest in 2021, she had four years of experience in anatomical dissection and teaching in both Zoology and Human Anatomy courses. She comes from a research and healthcare background, having worked several years in emergency medicine and primary care.
Bri supports end users with their training and research needs as well as college education courses throughout Minnesota, including here at the University. She often takes lead in a wide variety of anatomical procurements to support external and internal research requests. In her position she greatly values the pursuit of knowledge, holding both the subjects of anatomy and medicine in high regard.
Sarah J. Paulsen
Office Manager
612-625-1111
neff0019@umn.edu
Sarah has a background in mortuary science and training as a bereavement support group facilitator.
Sarah joined the Anatomy Bequest Program in 2006. She is licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health as a mortician. Sarah oversees the daily operations of the Anatomy Bequest Program office which includes the coordination of over 600 whole body donations annually.
Linnea Seidelmann
Donation Coordinator
612-625-1111
lars0544@umn.edu
Linnea joined the Anatomy Bequest Program (ABP) in 2016. As a donation coordinator, she exchanges information by phone or email with individuals planning ahead considering whole body donation and with next of kin after donation has occurred. Linnea also presents information sessions for ABP education and community outreach.
Prior to joining ABP, Linnea worked for 10 years as a funeral home and cemetery manager in Washington. Linnea is licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health as a mortician and is a graduate of St. Olaf College and the University of Minnesota with degrees in biology, psychology and mortuary science.
Kara Spafford
Donation Coordinator Specialist
612-625-1111
spaff013@umn.edu
Kara has a degree in biology. She joined the Anatomy Bequest Program in 2020. Kara answers questions about the donation process through phone and email correspondence and processes donation consent forms. She also assists with the donation process by collecting donor information at the time of death and facilitating the return of cremated remains to families.
Shannon Vadnie
Lab Manager
612-625-4990
svadnie@umn.edu
Shannon graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Spanish and Humanities from St. Cloud State University in 2006 and later earned an Advanced Standing Diploma from Des Moines Area Community College in 2013. Shannon worked in the funeral industry for seven years before taking a break to provide childcare for family members. In April 2018, she joined the Anatomy Bequest Program as the Staff Embalmer and worked part-time to support the program's preserved needs. In March of 2020, Shannon transitioned to a full-time Course Coordinator position to support medical education courses both on-campus and at external schools. She worked with instructors to ensure they have anatomical donors, specimens, and plastinates to meet their instructional needs. In October of 2021, she moved into the Lab Manager position. In addition to assisting in preservation and course support, Shannon oversees daily lab operations, is part of the leadership team, and is responsible for training staff. She is also the program's Safety Officer and works to ensure safe work practices and both chemical and OSHA compliance. Shannon maintains her Minnesota state mortician license by attending industry trainings and through various educational events. Shannon continues her commitment to supporting the mission of the program by honoring the wishes of the donors involved in medical education and research.
Jason Vollmer
Donation Coordinator
612-625-1111
jvollmer@umn.edu
Jason joined the Anatomy Bequest Program (ABP) in 2020. He is licensed by the state of Minnesota as a mortician and previously worked in funeral service for several years. He also had the fortunate experience of working with ABP as a student employee while attending the Program of Mortuary
Science at the U of M. Jason’s primary role is to coordinate all of the details associated with bringing a donor into our care when a death occurs. He also visits with the donor’s family members to gather the necessary information to file the death certificate and obtains and reviews medical history to help with donor placement.