RAAN Staff
Augusto Alonto M.D.
Medical Director
Dr. Alonto has been involved with RAAN as its medical director for two years. He currently practices medicine in the infectious disease department at MeritCare Health System in Fargo N.D.
Debbie Bednarczyk
Program Assistant
Debbie has extensive experience in the Hospitality world. She is currently pursuing a degree in Medical Records.
Phone 320-631-0404
Fax 320-631-0405
Toll free 800-966-9735
staff@raan.org
Chris Bernard
Business Manager
Chris joined Rural AIDS Action Network as Business Manager in July 2006 when the office moved to Little Falls. Before joining the staff at RAAN, Chris worked for Ingersoll Rand as the International Controller of the Torrington Division for fifteen years and has had many years of service in various non profit agencies in the Twin Cities as a financial director. He was a Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic and served the community as a business advisor to fishing and farmer cooperatives.
Chris serves as a member of the MN HIV Planning Council and its Co Chair for the Operations Committee and advocates for efficient and effective care for person with HIV/AIDS especially in rural Minnesota.
He received his Bachelor Science in Accounting and International Business from Northeastern University in Boston. He is also an inactive CPA.
Phone 320-631-0404
Fax 320-631-0405
Toll free 80-966-9735
chris@raan.org
Courtney Busch
Medical Case Manager
South Central/West Region (click for service area map)
Courtney has been a medical case manager for the Rural AIDS Action Network since February 2008. Prior to that, Courtney was completed her internship with RAAN. Courtney enjoys her position as a medical case manager and looks forward to continuing her role here.
Courtney received her bachelors of science in social work at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Courtney had since taken her licensing exam and passed to receive her social work license.
Phone 507-345-1011
Fax 866-596-0187
Toll free 877-824-5476
courtney@raan.org
RAAN cell 507-720-2224
Roger Ernst
Outreach & Education Coordinator
Roger serves as the Outreach and Education Coordinator at RAAN.
He has a Master of Divinity degree and a varied occupational career: farm laborer (thanks, Dad!), waiter, janitor, pastor, postal carrier, froth washer, knife honer, psychotherapist, professor of theology, and tree farmer. He has volunteered on various local and national church boards, for 4-H clubs, on the Board of the Men’s Center (Minneapolis), for HIV/AIDS, and on a city Park Board.
He loves rural life and lives on a small acreage near St. Cloud with his partner of 12 years, his dog, and currently three kittens. Now that he lives close to home, he hopes extended family, children and grandchildren will be frequent visitors.
Roger loves his job at RAAN.
Phone 320-631-0404
Fax 320-631-0405
Toll free 80-966-9735
roger@raan.org
RAAN cell 320-209-1191
Maria Guerrero
Medical Case Manager
South Central Region (click for service area map)
Maria is a graduate of Riverland Community College majoring in Social Work. She has worked with several Community based organizations in Mankato including La-Mano. Most recently, Maria has been the Spanish Interpreter for Rural AIDS Action Network.
Phone 507-345-1011
Fax 866-546-8749
Toll free 877-824-5476
maria@raan.org
RAAN cell 507-720-2223
Charles Hempeck
Executive Director
Charles joined Rural AIDS Action Network as Executive Director in June 2006. Before joining the staff at RAAN, Charles worked for the Hands of Hope Resource Center where he first worked as a crime victim advocate and later as the executive director. He has really enjoyed his time at RAAN is looking forward to continuing to assist people living with HIV/AIDS in rural Minnesota gain access to quality medical care.
Charles has been involved with social justice issues such as violence against women, GLBT rights and HIV/AIDS for over 12 years. He currently serves as a member of the Community Cooperative Council on HIV/AIDS Prevention (CCCHAP) and the board of directors for Minnesota Fighting AIDS on Bikes (MN FAB).
He received his Masters of Science in Women’s Studies from Minnesota State University-Mankato.
Phone 320-631-0404
Fax 320-631-0405
Toll free 800-966-9735
charles@raan.org
Kathryn Hansen, MSW
Program Manager
Phone 320-631-0404
Fax 320-631-0405
Toll free 800-966-9735
kathryn@raan.org
Diane Hermes
Medical Case Manager
West Central Region (click for service area map)
Diane Hermes has been working with RAAN as a Case Manager since December 2001. Prior to that, she was involved with the WC RAAN Network as a volunteer. Diane graduated from Nursing School in 1986, and has worked in various Health Care facilities, including Nursing Homes, Hospitals, Home Health Care, Clinics, and Mental Health services.
In Alexandria, Diane has been on the Board of Directors for Listening Ear Crisis Center, and the Board of Directors of Alexandria City Parks. She enjoys her leisure time traveling, kayaking, gardening and spending time with family, especially her six grandchildren. Diane has a committed & compassionate approach to her work with People living with HIV in rural Minnesota.
Phone 320-762-7226
Fax 320-763-7899
Toll free 877-536-7226
diane@raan.org
RAAN cell 320-209-1181
Tammi Hoard
Medical Case Manager
North East Region (click for service area map)
Tammi became a RAAN team member in the fall of 2006. Prior to RAAN, Tammi was employed by Occupational Development Center as a liaison with the County and those accessing social services for the first time and later became Program Specialist of the Grand Rapids Division.
Tammi’s education consists of an AA degree from Itasca Community College. She continues course work through Bemidji State University in Psychology and classes for Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counseling through the Mesabi Community College.
Tammi has served on numerous committees and boards that serve and define needs to all with limitations. She describes herself as an altruistic humanitarian.
Phone 218-262-2893
Fax 866-871-6128
Toll free 888-647-7226
tammi@raan.org
RAAN cell 218-398-7115
Jeni Kolstad
Medical Case Manager
South Central Region (click for service area map)
Jeni is a licensed social worker and started with RAAN in January of 2009 as a social work intern and was hired on full-time in June. She graduated in May of 2009 from Minnesota State University, Mankato with a bachelor’s degree in social work and a certificate in nonprofit leadership. Jeni has also completed an internship at Riverbend Academy which is a charter school following a project-based curriculum.
Jeni has volunteered for the South Central Minnesota Pride committee and has operated as co-chair of the committee. Within this organization, she has been responsible for grant writing and event organizing. Another organization where Jeni volunteers her time is for the Crisis Nursery, through Lutheran Social Services, where she is on-call for those in need of crisis childcare.
Phone 507-345-1011
Fax 866-546-8749
Toll free 877-824-5476
jennifer@raan.org
RAAN cell 507-720-2223
Pam Vetter
Medical Case Manager
North West Region (click for service area map)
Pam joined RAAN in July 2008. Prior to this, she was a Care Advocate for the Minnkota Health Project in Moorhead, MN, and completed a social work field placement there. Pam has a diverse career background, including working with domestic violence, substance abuse, and mental health issues.
She received a Masters in Management from University of Mary is Bismarck, North Dakota, and is working to complete a Masters in Social Work from the University of North Dakota.
Phone 218-287-6600
Fax 701-540-0537
Toll free 877-403-1815
pam@raan.org
RAAN cell 218-443-1329
Marcy Yarger
Medical Case Manager
East Central Region (click for service area map)
Marcy has worked with RAAN since August of 2007. She has seven years experience working with runaway/homeless youth and their families and four years experience in spiritual development with youth and families.
Marcy has her BA in social work from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN and is currently attending the University of St. Thomas/ St. Catherine’s University for her Masters in Social Work. She will graduate with a clinical emphasis in May 2010.
On a personal note: in July of 2009 I participated in my first Red Ribbon Ride to raise money and awareness for seven AIDS organization in MN. The theme among many people of the ride is that they do it because they can. It is a way to show support for all those that can not. It is filled with hope and immediate sense of belonging. As I told people it was my first ride they immediately said, “Welcome to the family.” So all that are able, I invite you to join the family and participate in this great experience called the Red Ribbon Ride.
Phone 320-679-8971
Fax 320-210-2041
Toll free 800-966-9735
marcy@raan.org
RAAN cell 320-209-1194
Cheryl Yarnott
Medical Case Manager
North Central Region (click for service area map)
Cheryl Yarnott, North Central Medical Case Manager has been with RAAN for 5 years. She is an RN (registered nurse) with 40 years of experience. Since coming to RAAN, she has taken the national exam of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care. As a result of passing that exam, she has been certified as an ACRN (AIDS Certified Registered Nurse).
Cheryl’s professional experiences have included working at Hines Veterans’ Hospital in Chicago, District One Hospital in Faribault, Assistant Director of Nursing at Faribault Manor Health Care Center, Minnesota Department of Corrections in Faribault and public health nursing in Beltrami County.
Outside of work, Cheryl has volunteered for 9 years on the Board of Directors of Ours to Serve House of Hospitality (homeless shelter), as an advocate for victims of sexual assaults and for the local food shelf. She has been instrumental in helping to form a welcoming community (Hospitality Initiative) for the GLBT community in the Bemidji area.
Phone 218-444-4561
Fax 218-333-0264
Toll free 866-401-4561
cheryl@raan.org
RAAN cell 218-368-0295