2019 Alice Mayo Society Board of Directors
- President: Salma Bydon (president@ams-mn.org)
- Vice President: Kristina Tiedje
- Secretary: Robin Wisniewski
- Treasurer: Sophia Chen
- Communications Director: Dawn Mitchell (communications@ams-mn.org)
- Activities Director: Bernadetta Elder (activities@ams-mn.org)
- Events Director: Brittany Hill
- Board Member (Emeritus): Lois Kennel
- Past President: Enid Campos
Meet your AMS Board of Directors
Salma S. Bydon, President
AMS member since: 2013
Board member since: 2016
Family: Husband works in Neurosurgery. They have one son.
Work experience: Part-time policy attorney with the American Bar Association. Also a certified mediator for the State of Minnesota and serves on two committees at the State Bar of Michigan for policy reform and ethics.
What goals do you hope to accomplish this year? “My goal for this year is to pick the brains of my incredible board members and facilitate using their ideas and expertise to bring creative and fun events for our members! “
AMS member since: 2013
Board member since: 2016
Family: Husband works in Neurosurgery. They have one son.
Work experience: Part-time policy attorney with the American Bar Association. Also a certified mediator for the State of Minnesota and serves on two committees at the State Bar of Michigan for policy reform and ethics.
What goals do you hope to accomplish this year? “My goal for this year is to pick the brains of my incredible board members and facilitate using their ideas and expertise to bring creative and fun events for our members! “
Kristina Tiedje, Vice President
AMS member since: 2007
Board member since: 2019
Family: Husband works in Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. They have two children.
Work experience: Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Lyon 2 in France and a researcher at the Laboratory of Contemporary Issues. While currently on leave, she has worked on clinical research projects, conducted long-term field research and is presently working on a book project. She also has served as a volunteer interpreter, served on several editorial boards and is currently the treasurer on the board of the International Society of the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture. In addition, she is the president of the board of the Rochester Dance Company.
What goals do you hope to accomplish this year? "I hope to be able to continue to make Rochester a welcoming environment for new Mayo families and to contribute to enhancing the activities provided to Mayo spouses and families.”
AMS member since: 2007
Board member since: 2019
Family: Husband works in Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. They have two children.
Work experience: Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Lyon 2 in France and a researcher at the Laboratory of Contemporary Issues. While currently on leave, she has worked on clinical research projects, conducted long-term field research and is presently working on a book project. She also has served as a volunteer interpreter, served on several editorial boards and is currently the treasurer on the board of the International Society of the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture. In addition, she is the president of the board of the Rochester Dance Company.
What goals do you hope to accomplish this year? "I hope to be able to continue to make Rochester a welcoming environment for new Mayo families and to contribute to enhancing the activities provided to Mayo spouses and families.”
Robin Wisniewski, Secretary
AMS member since: 2009
Board member since: 2018
Family: Husband works in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. They have two teenage sons.
Work experience: Clinical psychologist currently working part-time as program director for the M.A. in Counseling and Psychological Services Program at Saint Mary's University
Why did you become active in AMS? “I became active in AMS because upon moving back to Rochester I was looking for a way to meet new people and develop friendships. Everyone we knew while we were here as residents had moved away, so I was looking to form new friendships. AMS provided an excellent way to connect with people, attend fun events and feel more connected to the community.”
AMS member since: 2009
Board member since: 2018
Family: Husband works in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. They have two teenage sons.
Work experience: Clinical psychologist currently working part-time as program director for the M.A. in Counseling and Psychological Services Program at Saint Mary's University
Why did you become active in AMS? “I became active in AMS because upon moving back to Rochester I was looking for a way to meet new people and develop friendships. Everyone we knew while we were here as residents had moved away, so I was looking to form new friendships. AMS provided an excellent way to connect with people, attend fun events and feel more connected to the community.”
Sophia Chen, Treasurer
AMS member since: 2016
Board member since: 2019
Family: Husband works in Radiology. They have two children.
Occupation: Sr. Health System Engineer with a background in hospital administration, finance, audits, risk management and programming
Why did you join the AMS board? “After joining a few AMS events, I found AMS is a wonderful organization, and I am appreciative of the board’s hard work and what they do to make every event possible. It’s my honor to serve our society and work with many dedicated and talented AMS board members.”
AMS member since: 2016
Board member since: 2019
Family: Husband works in Radiology. They have two children.
Occupation: Sr. Health System Engineer with a background in hospital administration, finance, audits, risk management and programming
Why did you join the AMS board? “After joining a few AMS events, I found AMS is a wonderful organization, and I am appreciative of the board’s hard work and what they do to make every event possible. It’s my honor to serve our society and work with many dedicated and talented AMS board members.”
Dawn Mitchell, Communications Director
AMS member since: 2007
Board member since: 2018
Family: Husband works in Family Medicine. They have three teenage children.
Work experience: Previously worked in marketing communications
What goals do you hope to accomplish this year? “I hope to bring more AMS members together by better communicating the variety of events and activities AMS provides. I’m planning to start an email newsletter that will help keep everyone up to date.”
AMS member since: 2007
Board member since: 2018
Family: Husband works in Family Medicine. They have three teenage children.
Work experience: Previously worked in marketing communications
What goals do you hope to accomplish this year? “I hope to bring more AMS members together by better communicating the variety of events and activities AMS provides. I’m planning to start an email newsletter that will help keep everyone up to date.”
Bernadetta Elder, Activities Director
AMS member since: 2017
Board member since: 2019
Family: Husband works in Neurosurgery. They have three children.
Work experience: Previously an extravehicular mobility unit mission manager at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas
What goals do you hope to accomplish this year? “As the AMS Activities Director, I hope to coordinate and provide activities that further the Alice Mayo mission and support the recreational needs of the Alice Mayo Society Members. I would like to engage each member in AMS activities whether it be through social interaction (playgroup, book club, gourmet club) or community service.”
AMS member since: 2017
Board member since: 2019
Family: Husband works in Neurosurgery. They have three children.
Work experience: Previously an extravehicular mobility unit mission manager at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas
What goals do you hope to accomplish this year? “As the AMS Activities Director, I hope to coordinate and provide activities that further the Alice Mayo mission and support the recreational needs of the Alice Mayo Society Members. I would like to engage each member in AMS activities whether it be through social interaction (playgroup, book club, gourmet club) or community service.”
Brittany Hill, Events Director
AMS member since: 2016
Board member since: 2019
Family: Husband works in Anesthesia/Critical Care. They have four children.
Work experience: Previously worked in business/finance
Why did you join the AMS board? “I wanted to be involved in a group that helps and supports the significant others of consultants—a group that provides opportunities for friendship, growth and interaction with others while bettering the community."
AMS member since: 2016
Board member since: 2019
Family: Husband works in Anesthesia/Critical Care. They have four children.
Work experience: Previously worked in business/finance
Why did you join the AMS board? “I wanted to be involved in a group that helps and supports the significant others of consultants—a group that provides opportunities for friendship, growth and interaction with others while bettering the community."
Lois Kennel, Board Member (Emeritus)
AMS member since: 1973
Board member since: 2019
Family: Husband was a cardiology consultant in Community Internal Medicine. They have a daughter living in Canada and a son on staff at Mayo Clinic.
Work experience: Previously a high school English teacher
What goals do you hope to accomplish? “I want to be an advocate for emeritus AMS members, many of whom live at Charter House."
AMS member since: 1973
Board member since: 2019
Family: Husband was a cardiology consultant in Community Internal Medicine. They have a daughter living in Canada and a son on staff at Mayo Clinic.
Work experience: Previously a high school English teacher
What goals do you hope to accomplish? “I want to be an advocate for emeritus AMS members, many of whom live at Charter House."
Enid Campos, Past President
AMS member since: 2008
Board member since: 2014
Family: Husband works in Urologic and Breast Pathology
Work experience: Previously worked as a psychiatrist. Volunteers at the free clinic in Dodge Center doing lectures in Spanish related to mental health. Also dedicates some hours teaching Spanish at her children’s school.
Why did you decide to join the AMS Board? “I wanted to help new families in town feel welcome. AMS plays a pivotal role helping new families adjust and facilitating a smooth transition into their new town.”
AMS member since: 2008
Board member since: 2014
Family: Husband works in Urologic and Breast Pathology
Work experience: Previously worked as a psychiatrist. Volunteers at the free clinic in Dodge Center doing lectures in Spanish related to mental health. Also dedicates some hours teaching Spanish at her children’s school.
Why did you decide to join the AMS Board? “I wanted to help new families in town feel welcome. AMS plays a pivotal role helping new families adjust and facilitating a smooth transition into their new town.”