Our Team
The North Dakota AHEC includes a program office located at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences, along with two AHEC centers located in Mayville and Velva, North Dakota.
Eastern AHEC
Director: Alex Dralle, MEd
Email Alex
Alex grew up on the west side of the state in the rural community of Stanley, North Dakota, until the
fall of 2019 when she and her children moved to Mayville to further pursue her education. She worked
previously as AHEC's project coordinator and graduated in May with a Master of Education in Adult
Teaching and Learning.
Alex has proven to be an effective part of the team while transforming the AHEC Scholars program and works every day to guide the AHEC program to continued success. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Clinical Research, with her studies directly related to AHEC's work in alleviating the effects of burnout in our healthcare workforce. Alex looks forward to contributing her passion for continuous educational program improvements through strategic research and planning as the Eastern AHEC Director.
Advisory Board
- Jeff Barta
- Tracy Bina
- Dana Davis
- Karla Haug – Vice Chair
- Shelly Hegerle
- Sierra Kreft
- Angie Novak
- Jennifer Spatola
- Trina Taszarek-Schilling – Chair
Western AHEC
Director: Taylor Kittelson, OTD, OTR/L
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Taylor grew up on a farm in rural southwest North Dakota and attended New England Public School. She
continued her education across various parts of North Dakota, earning an Associate of Science from
Dakota College at Bottineau while playing collegiate volleyball. She then received a Bachelor of
Kinesiology from the University of North Dakota and completed her educational journey at the University
of Mary, earning a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy.
From 2022-2024, Taylor worked as a geriatric occupational therapist in several skilled nursing facilities near Minot, North Dakota. She and her husband planted roots in Velva, North Dakota. Having grown up and now residing in rural areas, she is passionate about ensuring rural health facilities thrive and continue to serve community members effectively. Taylor is a former AHEC Scholar and served on the eastern AHEC board of directors before stepping in as the western director role in June of 2024.
Advisory Board
- Marcy Dawson
- Victoria Douglas
- Julie Dragseth
- Steph Everett
- Dennis Goebel
- Dr. Jeffrey Hostetter – Vice Chair
- Keith Kempenich – Chair
- Dr. Nolan Kleinjan
- Kerri Kraft
- Tara Nygaard – Secretary
- Dr. Zachary Perman
Education Coordinator
State HOSA Advisor: Brandy Madrigal
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Brandy is a native west Texan, growing up in a small town outside of Lubbock, Texas, having lived there
until her high school sweetheart, who she married in 2016, joined the United States Air Force. After
being stationed in eastern New Mexico, she and their family received orders to Minot Air Force Base in
North Dakota where they have set roots in the small town of Glenburn in December of 2021.
Brandy received a bachelor's degree in biology in 2015 from Texas Tech University and also completed a Licensed Vocational Nursing program in 2018. She is currently working on a master's degree in Public Health (MPH) through the Texas Tech Health Science Center MPH program.
Brandy has previous experience working in healthcare administration and community outreach within rural communities and is looking forward to joining the AHEC team as the North Dakota HOSA advisor!
Visit the North Dakota HOSA website to learn more.
Administrative Assistant
Administrative Assistant: Lois Karlstad
Email Lois
Lois currently works part-time as an Administrative Assistant. She previously worked with the North
Dakota AHEC in its early developmental stages and has recently rejoined the team. Lois brings extensive
experience and dedication to our mission and supports the North Dakota AHEC programs.
State Program Office
Stacy Kusler, BA
Associate Program Director
stacy.kusler@und.edu
(701) 777-3300
Stacy assists rural facilities to attract health professionals to their areas by working closely with health profession students during their training and collaborating with North Dakota AHEC to promote and assist with rural training opportunities.
Brad Gibbens, MPA
Principal Director
brad.gibbens@und.edu
(701) 777-2569
Brad Gibbens is the director of the Center for Rural Health at UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences and an assistant professor at the School of Medicine & Health Sciences in Grand Forks.
Robert W. Pawloski, EdD
Program Evaluator
robert.pawloski@und.edu
(402) 871-5971
Robert "Bob" Pawloski has served as implementation, data management, and evaluation specialist to North Dakota AHEC since 2016.