CF Center Team

As with any complex chronic progressive clinical problem, a wide range of clinical specialists is needed to provide optimum care for CF patients and at any age. The Minnesota Cystic Fibrosis Center care team has broad-based clinical and scientific expertise, meeting the challenge of successfully diagnosing, treating, teaching, and performing research to understand and control all of the potential complications of CF. This CF care team after 40 years of evolution now defines the full range of resources that are needed to provide comprehensive and cost effective care for cystic fibrosis.

• Pediatric CF Program Providers

• Adult CF Program Providers

• Affiliated CF Specialists

• Ancillary Services

• Ancillary Support

• Parent Advocacy and Advisory Council

Pediatric CF Program Providers

• James Phillips, MD    Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, board certified in Pediatric Pulmonology; joined the CF Team in 2007; research is focussed on staphylococcoal infections in CF
• Warren E. Regelmann, MD   
  CF Center Co-Director, Pediatric CF Program Director
  Clinical CF care provider since 1980; a specialist in Pediatrics, Pediatric Pulmonology, and Pediatric Infectious diseases; recognized widely for his work on CF lung infections and antibiotic therapy
• Warren J. Warwick, MD   Professor of Pediatrics, Biomedical Engineering and Medical Physics, Annalisa Marzotto Professor of Cystic Fibrosis Patient Care. CF Center Senior Advisor, has worked with CF since 1960
• Jacquelyn Zirbes, RN, MA, CPNP  Pediatric Pulmonary Nurse Practitioner and CF Educator; CF Team member for 13 years; CF Lung Transplantation Coordinator

Adult CF Program Providers

• Joanne Billings, MD, MPH   Specialist in Internal Medicine; recently completed a fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Minnesota; completed a Masters in Public Health; current research investigates the role of sex hormones in CF and their impact on CF lung disease
• Jordan M. Dunitz, MD  
  CF Center Co-Director, Adult CF Program Director; specialist in Internal Medicine and Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine; special interest in all aspects of lung transplantation in CF patients.
• Robert Kempainen, MD   Specialist in Internal Medicine; clinical research interests include gastroesophageal reflux disease and sinusitis in patients with cystic fibrosis
• LyNette Rasmussen, CNP    Adult nurse practitioner joined the CF Team in Fall 2005

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Affiliated CF Specialists

• Antoinette M. Moran, MD    Pediatric Endocrinology; a recognized world leader in the field of cystic fibrosis related diabetes mellitus (CFRD); leads a national multicenter trial of the use of diabetes therapy to improve muscle mass in CF patients with abnormal glucose tolerance
• Sarah Jane Schwarzenberg, MD   Pediatric Gastroenterology; a distinguished international expert in liver disease in cystic fibrosis; has been working with CF for 25 years
• Frank Rimell, MD    ENT expert in treating CF-related sinus complications

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Ancillary Services

• CF Lung Transplantation Coordinator;  Jacqueline Zirbes, RN, CPNP 
• Clinical Nurse Coordinators:
• Adult In-Patient:   Sandy McAllister, RN
• Pediatric Out-patient:  Marijo Link, RN
• Clinical Psychologists
• Pediatric:  Chris Boys, PhD
• Adult:  John Yozwiak, PhD
• Clinical Research Nurse Coordinators:
• Brooke Noren, BSN
• Cindy Williams, CRTT, RCP
• Jacquelyn Zirbes, RN, MA, CPNP, CCRC
• Julie Ed, RN, BA
• Dietitian (Pediatric):  Kathleen Schissel, RD
• Dietitian (Adult):  Amanda Jordahl, RD 
• Genetic Counselor:  Amy Powers, CGC 
• Patient Care Coordinators:  (maintain communication with patients between clinic visits)  
• Evelyn McKee, LPN
• Karen Reigstad, RN, BSN
• Respiratory Therapist :  Ann Hazelwood, CRRT  
• Social Work (Adult):  Meg Benefield, LGSW  
• Social Work (Pediatric):  Amany Rifai, LISCW

Ancillary Support

• CF Center Office Specialist:   Tracy Killoren
• CF Database Manager:   Bonnie Holme, BS
• Pulmonary Function Lab Manager:  Ione Brown, BS

Parent Advocacy and Advisory Council

The Parent Advocacy and Advisory Council (PAAC) was formed as part of a quality initiative program to improve the care each patient receives.  This group is dedicated to making sure that parents' input is heard.

You may contact PAAC at mnpaac@yahoo.com

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