Dr. Michael Miedema is director of the Nolan Family Center for Cardiovascular Health at Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation and director of cardiovascular prevention at Minneapolis Heart Institute®. Dr. Miedema obtained his medical degree and completed a cardiovascular fellowship at the the University of Minnesota Medical School and also has a master’s degree in public health from the Harvard School of Public Health. He is a leading national expert in cardiovascular prevention. He serves as an Associate Editor for the digital content for the Prevention Section of the American College of Cardiology. He served on the executive review committee for the 2018 ACC/AHA Cholesterol Guidelines, and was a member of the 2019 ACC/AHA Guidelines Committee for the Primary Prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Dr. Thomas Knickelbine is director of lipid research at Minneapolis Heart Institute®, where he has actively practiced cardiology since 1996. He is co-director of HeartScan Minnesota®, which he founded in 1999 and helped pioneer the initial calcium scoring program in the state of Minnesota. He has published multiple abstracts, presentations and papers surrounding the need for early detection and optimal treatment of coronary artery plaque. Dr. Knickelbine is board certified in cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular CT and has Level III training in cardiac and peripheral CT. His special interests include preventive cardiology and lipid management, coronary calcium scoring, echocardiography, diagnostic imaging, and coronary angiography.

Dr. Courtney Jordan Baechler serves as medical director for the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation’s emerging science centers including prevention, women’s cardiovascular research and global outreach. Dr. Jordan Baechler obtained her medical degree and completed a cardiovascular fellowship at the University of Minnesota Medical School. She also completed the National Institute of Health Physician Scientist Track where she obtained a master’s in epidemiology and public policy from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. Prior to this role she served as assistant commissioner for health improvement for the State of Minnesota and vice president of the Penny George Institute for Health and Healing at Allina Health. She has served on the national prevention committee for the American College of Cardiology and currently serves on the MN Department of Health Statewide Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Committee.

Susan White is a registered dietitian nutritionist and serves as the administrative and program lead for prevention and women’s heart health at the Minneapolis Heart Institute®. She is adept at simplifying complex nutrition messages found in the news or research into practical tips for improving heart health and frequently gives community presentations.

Gretchen Benson oversees the center’s operational strategy including investigator-initiated research studies, professional and community education. As a dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist, she has research interests in nutrition, behaviors and population health. She currently serves on the American Diabetes Association’s professional practice committee tasked with updating the Standards of Care in Diabetes, as well as the MN Department of Health Statewide Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Committee.