Presenters

Sara Lammert | Primary Presenter, Co-Author

sara.lammert@state.mn.us;
Sara Lammert is an epidemiologist in the Longitudinal Follow-up unit at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) focusing on hearing loss and critical congenital heart disease. Sara received her Bachelor of Arts in biology from the College of the Holy Cross, her Master of Public Health in epidemiology and biostatistics from the Boston University School of Public Health, and her PhD in epidemiology from the University of Minnesota.

---

Amanda Pavan | Co-Presenter, Co-Author

amanda.pavan@state.mn.us;
Amanda is an Epidemiologist with the Minnesota Department of Health’s Newborn Screening Program. Amanda has a Ph.D. in medical geography with expertise in epidemiology, spatial analysis, maternal-child health, and environmental health.

---

Lexie Barber | Co-Author

lexie.barber@state.mn.us;
Lexie Barber is an epidemiologist in the Longitudinal Follow-up unit at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) focusing on congenital CMV and heritable conditions. Lexie joined the team in December 2022. Previously, she worked in the infectious disease divisions at MDH and the North Dakota Department of Health working mainly in vaccine preventable diseases. Lexie received her Bachelor of Science in microbiology at North Dakota State University and her Master of Public Health in environmental health from the University of Minnesota.

---

Kirsten Coverstone | Co-Author

kirsten.coverstone@state.mn.us;
Dr. Kirsten Coverstone is an audiologist at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Newborn Screening Program. As a coordinator of Minnesota’s EHDI program, Kirsten has worked at the local, state, and national levels to support best practice for universal newborn screening, timely & complete audiologic follow-up for hearing, and early access to intervention. In addition, Kirsten implemented the statewide hearing instrument loaner program for infants and young children in Minnesota. Universal screening, education, and follow-up for congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) has been a longstanding aspiration as cCMV is the leading cause of non-genetic hearing loss and is intricately related to EHDI. She has served as Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH), & Co-Chair of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) EHDI Data Committee.

---

Darcia Dierking | Co-Author

darcia.dierking@state.mn.us;
Darcia Dierking is a pediatric audiologist and MDH EHDI Co-Coordinator. Darcia has more than 20 years of experience as a clinical and research audiologist, with research projects primarily focusing on otoacoustic emissions and hearing devices. Darcia has worked in four states and has experience teaching hospital staff and Early Head Start staff about hearing screening. As a part of the MDH EHDI program, she works in longitudinal follow-up after identification. She works with many grant recipients and stakeholders in government, healthcare, education and family organizations to make EHDI system improvements.

---

Gina Liverseed | Co-Author

gina.liverseed@state.mn.us;
Gina Liverseed is the CMV Nurse Specialist in the Children and Youth with Special Health Needs section at the Minnesota Department of Health. In this role, she is responsible for coordinating the longitudinal follow-up of children identified with congenital CMV and providing education about CMV to public and provider audiences. She holds Bachelor and Master of Nursing degrees from the University Minnesota and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of North Dakota. Gina has over 20 years of experience working as a maternal-child health nurse and a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. She has a special interest in perinatal infectious disease.

---

Annikka Strong | Co-Author

annikka.strong@state.mn.us;
Annikka works with the Minnesota Department of Health, Newborn Screening Program, Point of Care team. She provides follow-up for Minnesota babies' inpatient newborn screening results and audiology journey. She also coordinates follow-up on lost to follow-up cases sent to Local Public Health contacts and leads audiologic follow-up for confirmed congenital CMV cases.

---

Melanie Wege | Co-Author

melanie.wege@state.mn.us;
Melanie Wege is a board certified audiologist who joined the Minnesota EHDI Team after 17 years as a clinical audiologist with a primary interest in pediatric diagnosis and follow-up.  Her focus with the Minnesota EHDI Team is to provide education, support, and ongoing quality system improvement strategies to all providers involved with infant hearing screening and follow-up.