Who We Are
ITNS provides its members with many opportunities to connect with colleagues.
ITNS values inclusivity and collaboration, with the goal of providing transplant nurses relevant evidence-based education, research, and advocacy to assure excellence in patient care worldwide.
Upper Midwest Heartland Chapter of the International Transplant Nurses Society was organized to enhance the professional and social development of transplant nurses. It provides educational offerings 3x/year for its members and other transplant professionals. We engage in networking to promote increased learning and advancement in organ transplantation.
2026 Upper Midwest Heartland Chapter Board Members
President Emerita: Kristine Hinton, RN, MSN
Kristine is the Transplant Nurse Clinician at MHealth Fairview. She has been a member of the board since 2024.
President: Meg Youngerberg,
RN, CCRN, CPN
Meg is a Pediatric Heart Transplant Coordinator at M Health Fairview. She has been on the board of the Upper Midwest Heartland Chapter since 2025.
Secretary: Laura Nelson,
RN, MSN, BSN
Laura is a Kidney Waitlist Coordinator at M Health Fairview. She has been on the board of the Upper Midwest Heartland Chapter since 2024.
Director At Large: Emily Warren, RN
Emily is the Manager of Transplant Operations at MHealth Fairiview. She has been a member of the board since 2026.
Compliance Officer: Marci Siers,
RN, BSN
Marci is a Pre-Kidney/Pancreas Transplant Coordinator at M Health Fairview. She has been on the board of the Upper Midwest Heartland Chapter since 2023.
Treasurer: Bobbie Stier, RN, CCTC
Bobbie is an Inpatient Post-Transplant Coordinator at Hennepin HealthCare. She has been on the board of the Upper Midwest Heartland Chapter since 2023.
Membership Secretary: Alison Heil, RN, BSN, CCTN
Alison is an Inpatient Transplant Nurse caring for liver, kidney, pancreas, and auto islet transplant recipients at M Health Fairview. She has been on the board of the Upper Midwest Heartland Chapter since 2010.
President Elect: Erin Schaden, RN
Erin is the Manager of the Donor Care Unit at MHealth Fairview. She has been a member of the board since 2026.
Sponsor Officer: Linda Kazmierczak, RN
Linda is an Inpatient Transplant Nurse at Mayo Clinic-Rochester. She has been on the board of the Upper Midwest Heartland Chapter since 2014.