YAP Staff
Val Rubin-Rashaad Pronouns: She/Her/Hers Executive Director 651-231-4849 - smith182@umn.edu Val graduated from Concordia University with a B.A. in Political Science, and she began her youth-work career in 1989 with the Inner City Youth League! Val then went on to work at various shelters in the cities, including Salvation Army, Booth Brown, and The Bridge, to name a few. Early in her career she also joined Streetworks as an outreach worker, which lead to collaborations with the Youth and AIDS Projects. She joined the YAP team in 1998 and has been so excited to see all the wonderful changes that are happening with the organization! |
Dr. Calla Brown
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers Principal Investigator brow3601@umn.edu Calla is an internist and pediatrician and practices primary care at a community health center in Minneapolis. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota and joined YAP in 2020. Calla is passionate about community health, human rights, and health justice, and is thrilled to be a part of the YAP team. |
Dr. Meghan Rothenberger Pronouns: She/Her/Hers Principal Investigator 612-624-9996 - roth0134@umn.edu For more information about Meghan, see her University of Minnesota profile. |
Cree Gordon Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs PrEP Outreach and HIV Testing Coordinator 763-634-1366 - cree@umn.edu Cree has worked in HIV prevention and education for over 13 years. As someone living with HIV, they are also an advocate for HIV+ folks and a dynamic public speaker, having even addressed a congressional briefing and national leaders on Capitol Hill and an audience under the lights of Broadway. Along with their work at YAP, Cree currently serves on the Minnesota Council for HIV/AIDS Care & Prevention. For your HIV testing and education or Truvada for PrEP needs, please do not hesitate to contact Cree. |
McKinley Green Pronouns: He/Him/His Administrative Assistant 612-301-6675 - gree1968@umn.edu McKinley is a PhD candidate in the Department of Writing Studies at the University of Minnesota, where he studies rhetoric and scientific and technical communication with an emphasis on social justice. Apart from work and school, McKinley is an avid baker, budding gardener, and devoted Netflix enthusiast. |
Andrew Schuster
Pronouns: He/Him/His Treatment Adherence Coordinator 612-547-8870 - schustea@umn.edu In 2017, Andrew joined YAP as a Medical Case Manager and Treatment Adherence Counselor. In his past endeavors, Andrew has gained experience in HIV advocacy, project management, community organizing, and health education. With a B.A. in Communications/ Journalism and Justice/Peace Studies from the University of St. Thomas (St. Paul, MN), Andrew strives to eliminate stereotypes, stigma, and barriers to care. |
Gage Urvina Pronouns: He/Him/His - She/Her/Hers Client Services Coordinator 763-290-0523 (cell) - 612-624-5127 (office) gurvina@umn.edu Gage has worked in the field of HIV for seven years, where he strives to meet clients where they are and to help folks to establish and maintain healthy lifestyles. Gage's passions include dance, swimming, and his perfect kitty, Luna. |
Katie Dinndorf
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers Medical Case Manager 612.217.4382 - dinn0017@umn.edu Katie started working in HIV prevention in 1996 as a high school peer educator. She has worked at health departments, community clinics, and AIDS-service organizations and is thrilled to return to the HIV field after most recently working in suicide prevention (another passion of hers). Katie loves colorful writing utensils, laughing at bad jokes, public health, and her two cats (one of which is pictured above). In the time before COVID, she could often be found drinking cocktails on patios around Minneapolis. |
Raquelle Paulsen
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers Lead Case Manager 612-930-2830 - gantx019@umn.edu Raquelle has been working in public health for 5 years. However, most of her reward for public health is with her work in HIV. Raquelle has been apart of many different forums as well as being an educator on other health disparities. In her downtime, Raquelle spends with her husband and their two cats Makeva and Grace. She also loves to cook and play video games. Raquelle is excited to be apart of the YAP family. For her it's the job of a lifetime. |
Photo credit: Jason Bucklin
