Meet Our Staff

Marina Barnes
Marina Barnes
Assistant Lab Manager
(612) 625-4990
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Donna Dvorak
Donna Dvorak
Final Disposition Coordinator
(612) 625-1111
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Casey Fleming
Quality Assurance/Process Improvement Coordinator
(612) 625-0956
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James Harmon, MD, PhD
James Harmon
, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor, Critical Care & Acute Care Surgery
(612) 625-7911
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Angela
Angela M. McArthur
Director, Anatomy Bequest Program
(612) 625-0618
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Gabby Anderson
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.

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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
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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Contact Us

Anatomy Bequest Program

Medical School

TEL: 612-625-1111

FAX: 612-625-1688

Email: bequest@umn.edu