Leadership

Arlene is the supervisor of the Patient Enrollment Group at Mayo Clinic Specialty Pharmacy and has been there for the last 27 years.  In this role, she works closely with transplant and oncology patients.  Arlene has a long history of volunteering with the Mayo Transplant Picnic and the Gift of Life Annual Golf Tournament and believes that volunteering is one of the most important things an individual can give and is involved in many volunteer opportunities within the community.  Arlene lives in Byron with her husband.  She has four children and two granddaughters.  Her pastimes are spending time outdoors, playing softball, exploring flea markets and being with family.

Michael is a Portfolio Manager at US Bank.  Michael began his career in the banking and financial services industry in 2006.  Prior to joining US Bank Private Wealth Management, Mike worked as a portfoiio manager with US Bancorp Trust.  Michael servces as a member of both Gift of Life Translant House and Families First in Rochester.  He lives in Rochester and enjoys home projects, traveling and wine tasting

Dr Andrew Bentall has worked at Mayo Clinic since 2017 as a transplant nephrologist, having trained in the United Kingdom. He spent time at Mayo Clinic during his research fellowship and is interested in the effect of antibodies on transplant outcomes as well as improving long term kidney transplant outcomes. Since arriving in Rochester and working the transplant center, he was part of Gift of Life Transplant House activities and joined the board in 2019. It is a privilege to look after people affected by kidney disease, both as recipients and donors, in the Clinic and then to try to make people’s stay in Rochester not only affordable, but in a supportive environment in the Transplant Houses.

Katie is Director of Hospital Partnership & Donor Family Aftercare at LifeSource.  LifeSource facilitates the gifts of organ, eye and tissue donation and cares for donor families.  Katie came to know and love Gift of Life during her time working with the Mayo Clinic Transplant Team.  She and her husband live in the Twin Cities with their three children.  They strive to prioritize an open home, open hearts to serve people and advocate for justice and an open road for adventures that connect people, places and cultures.

Cathy is the Senior Hospital Partner Liaison for Mayo Clinic hospitals with LifeSource, the Upper Midwest Organ Procurement Organization.  Cathy also works in the Decedent Affairs office as a Specialist helping families navigate next steps after the loss of their loved one.  Cathy serves on the Health and Wellness Committee and is the resident Chaplain at Gift of Life.  Cathy has worked as an RN and minister for over 30 years.  She and her husband along with their two daughters, have called Rochester home for over 10 years.

Dr. Thomas R. Schwab is a nephrologist in Rochester, MN. at Mayo Clinic. He has over 41 years of experience in the medical field.

“For as long as he can remember, Saad Kenderian, M.B., Ch.B., wanted to be a physician. Nothing could blunt his resolve –not even when improvised explosive devices, bombs and trappings of war put the medical school in his native Baghdad, Iraq, on a brief hiatus. It is with that same determination he leads Mayo Clinic’s research into chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, which unleashes the immune system to attack cancer. Part of Dr. Kenderian’s dream was to practice medicine in the United States. After completing his residency at Michigan State University McLaren Hospital, he came to Mayo Clinic for a fellowship in hematology and oncology. It was during that time he grew fascinated with the power of the immune system and the potential that a patient’s body could fight disease.”  Mayo Clinic

Brian is a Project Manager with DBS Group in Rochester.  Brian is also part of the BSAG Committee and helps keep the facilities running smoothly.  Brian graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in 2008 and he and his family live in the surrounding Rochester area.  Brian learned about Gift of Life through a current board member and immediately knew that this was his calling.  Brian is looking forward to many years serving Gift of Life.