Staff

Jeff VanWormer

Jeff VanWormer, MS, is the director and principal investigator for the project. Jeff oversees the research design and overall implementation of the project, ensuring that the project meets its goal to reduce the number of heart attacks in the New Ulm community.

Dr. Charles Stephens

Charles Stephens MD, a family medicine physician at New Ulm Medical Center since 1998, is also the medical director for this project. Stephens helps facilitate the design of clinical interventions and serve as a liaison between the project planners and front line practitioners at New Ulm Medical Center. He continues seeing patients as usual and is involved in promoting project events, staff training and provider feedback.

Raquel Pereira

Raquel Pereira, MS, RD, LD, is a registered dietitian and serves as the community project manager for the project, working from the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation. Raquel manages the operational infrastructure of the project, designing and coordinating the various programs and services offered.

Gretchen Benson

Gretchen Benson, RD, CDE, is a registered dietitian and serves as the healthcare project manager, working from the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation. Gretchen will assist in the design and implementation of interventions related to the electronic health record, provider education, and coaching for high risk patients.

Betsy Pieser

Betsy Pieser, NUMC team Project Manager. Pieser sits on the New Ulm Medical Center Foundation Board and is very active in the community. “Betsy’s experience and training in the areas of marketing, business, event planning and public speaking make her a perfect fit for this critical position, which is closely connected to community organizations, social clubs and special interest groups in New Ulm,” said Jeff VanWormer, Heart of New Ulm project director.

Julie Long

Julie Long is a nurse practitioner for the project.
She assists in the design of clinical interventions and provides direct coaching and medical care, particularly focused on high-risk patients.

Rebecca Fliszar

Rebecca Fliszar, registered dietitian, leads the nutrition initiatives of the project. She works closely with area restaurants, grocery stores, worksites, schools and community groups on nutrition. Fliszar has been with New Ulm Medical Center for three years working primarily with children's initiatives such as Shapedown and DAAN.

Holly Glaubitz

Holly Glaubitz, health educator. She joined New Ulm Medical Center last year as the Wellness Coordinator, and many of her duties have closely correlated to the Heart of New Ulm project since its inception in the fall of 2008. Holly provides education and coaching on lifestyle changes to New Ulm area residents. In addition, she coordinates the project services with local businesses and worksites to ensure a strong culture of promoting employee wellness

Shawn Hildebrandt

Shawn Hildebrandt, is the project's administrative assistant. She brings to the project her great experience with the New Ulm Medical Center laboratory and clinic. She will be the first point of contact when people in the community inquire about the project or registers for its services.