Tobacco use is the result of a state environment which continues to allow tobacco to be aggressively marketed to youth; fails to protect nonsmokers, especially children, from the dangers of secondhand smoke; and fails to promote a social norm which encourages an individual’s choice to live tobacco free.
The mission of Tobacco Free North Dakota is to improve and protect the public health of all North Dakotans by reducing the serious health and economic consequences of tobacco use, the state’s number one cause of preventable disease and death.
Tobacco Free North Dakota is working to restrict the ability of the tobacco industry to market tobacco and to change the social environment to support nonsmoking through advocacy for public and private sector policy change and community mobilization.
Our Board
Valerie Schoepf
Community health and wellness advocate, Bismarck. My experience as a strategic communications consultant has converged with many community efforts these days as a stay at home mom of three. I’m a wellness advocate and educator for families seeking a healthier lifestyle with Young Living, co-leader of the Burleigh County Meadowlarks 4-H club, active PTO member, long-standing steering committee member of Inspire MOPS in Bismarck (Mothers of Preschoolers), and a proud hockey mom. I recently stepped down as President of the Bismarck Tobacco Free Coalition in stepping up to be President of Tobacco Free North Dakota.
I was a Communications Specialist for the Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. I also represented a wide variety of clients as an Account Executive for Himle Horner, Inc., a Minneapolis-based public affairs, public relations and crisis management firm. I also worked for the Minnesota Smoke-Free Coalition, American Cancer Society of Moorhead, MN, and President’s Office at Minnesota State University Moorhead. My work in tobacco control has been both personal and professional since I was a freshman in high school when my dad passed away from lung and brain cancer due to his lifelong addiction as a smoker.
My husband Michael and I enjoy spending time with family and friends, caring for our horses, dogs, cats and garden at home, and exploring the countryside of both North Dakota and Minnesota.
Chelsea Ridge
Community Health Coordinator at Upper Missouri District Health Unit in Williston, ND.
I grew up in Southern California on the beach. I packed up to attend college in Savannah, Ga, where I graduated with a Bachelor of Health Science in Public Health. During college, I also interned at the Coastal Health District coordinating their youth tobacco prevention summit. After graduating I applied everywhere in
the public health field and found my way to Williston, ND. I’ve been
in North Dakota for 8 years now continuing to work in tobacco
prevention and youth alcohol prevention.
I am married to my husband Nick and we have 2 daughters, Hazel and Sophia. Being tobacco free and a member of TFND is important to me because I myself, and know so
many, who have lost loved ones way to soon to the disease of tobacco use.
Danielle Romanyshyn
I have lived in North Dakota my entire life. I grew up in Grand Forks and moved to Bismarck to attend the U of Mary, earning my Bachelor of Science in Biology degree. After getting married in 2013, I moved to Dickinson where I have been ever since. I have 2 kids who keep me very busy but we all enjoy traveling and the outdoors. So far, I’ve traveled to 11 different countries with Western Australia being one of my favorites since I was able to help with coral reef research at Murdoch University, Perth.
Since 2010, I’ve worked with Local Public Health in both Tobacco Prevention and Environmental Health. I really enjoy seeing the science and studies behind environmental impacts, as well as, the powerful impact of policy change. I believe everyone deserves the right to breathe clean air.
Michelle Walker
I joined the TFND board in December 2019 and currently work in the Foundation at the Anne Carlsen Center. Prior to joining Anne Carlsen, I worked in the Division of Tobacco Prevention and Control at the North Dakota Department of Health for seven years and also spent two years as the Program Coordinator at the American Lung Association of North Dakota. Additionally, I worked as a Respiratory Therapist at Sanford Health in Fargo, ND and was the Director of Clinical Education in the NDSU/Sanford Respiratory Care Program.
I have many years of experience in the nonprofit sector. I bring strong experience in grant writing, relationship building and fundraising and I’m passionate about creating a healthy, tobacco-free landscape in North Dakota.
Dr. Eric Johnson
Dr. Johnson is a Professor at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences in
the Department of Family and Community Medicine and the Department of Education Resources, where
he is the Director of Interprofessional Education and the Medical Director of the Physician Assistant
Program. He also serves as the Assistant Medical Director for the Diabetes Center at Altru Health
System in Grand Forks, North Dakota. A graduate of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Dr.
Johnson completed his residency in Family Medicine at the University of North Dakota-Fargo Program
and is Board Certified in Family Medicine.
Dr. Johnson is a past-president of Tobacco Free North Dakota and a long-time board member. As well,
Dr. Johnson is a member of the American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee, past-
Chair of the American Diabetes Association Primary Care Advisory Group, President of the American
Diabetes Association- North Dakota Affiliate, and Past Co-Chair of the American Medical Association
Chronic Disease Prevention and Management interest group. Dr. Johnson has publications in the areas of diabetes, tobacco related disease, interprofessional education, liver disease, diabetic neuropathy,
diabetic eye disease, and cardiovascular disease. Dr. Johnson also has a strong interest in team-based
technology management of diabetes and tobacco prevention and control.
In his spare time, he enjoys baseball, music, cross-country skiing, golfing, and spending time with his
family.
Katie Cashman Fitzsimmons
I work with North Dakota’s 11 public colleges and universities on a variety of issues, including substance misuse prevention and treatment, Tobacco Free and Smoke Free campus initiatives, student mental health initiatives, student health insurance, all other areas of student success that happen outside of the classroom, and the legislative process on a variety of issues that affect our campuses, the State Board of Higher Education, and the North Dakota University System Office. I have worked in higher education on and off since 2005; my two departures included working in fundraising and education for the American Cancer Society and then in communications and advocacy for the North Dakota Medical Association. With both of those great organizations, tobacco prevention, treatment, and recovery were reoccurring issues. Additionally, I work as a charity and benefit auctioneer with one of my sisters. Since 2016, we have raised over $9.5 million to further the good work of nearly 200 organizations, many of which promote health and safety.
Working with a college student population gives me a front-row seat to the damage that tobacco products do. The highly addictive and destructive qualities of vaping products incite a particular fire in me, as the reality of those products does not seem to match public perception. For all these reasons and more, I am thrilled to support TFND’s mission and outreach alongside so many qualified and passionate Board members and TFND staff. My husband, three kids, and I live in Bismarck where we run around to a variety of athletic, music, and community events, keep up with our extended families, and enjoy the fresh air.
Brody Maack, PharmD, BCACP, CTTS
I received my Doctor of Pharmacy degree from NDSU, and subsequently completed a PGY1 residency in
Fergus Falls, MN. I have prior experience in the hospital setting, primarily in the emergency department,
and am currently an ambulatory care clinical pharmacist in primary care.
I am currently associate professor of practice and Vice Chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice at
the NDSU College of Health and Human Sciences, where I teach pathophysiology and therapeutics of
cardiovascular medicine, including tobacco and nicotine dependence. My clinical practice is at Family
HealthCare clinic in Fargo, a federally qualified health center, where I see patients in an office-based
setting for comprehensive medication management. I am a Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist, and
a Board Certified Ambulatory Care Pharmacist.
My research experience is focused on the expansion of pharmacy practice using an implementation
science-based approach, and I am currently working on the implementation of billable pharmacist-
provided tobacco and nicotine treatment services in North Dakota.
My wife and I have three children and live in Kindred. When we aren’t watching our kids’ activities, I
love to spend time outdoors fishing, hunting and playing golf. We also love to travel, spend time on the
lake, and hang out with family.
Our Staff
Heather Austin
Heather joined the team at TFND in October, 2016. She has over 10 years experience in the non-profit industry. With 5 years at the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce and another 5 years working for statewide organizations, Heather has built relationships and coalitions all across North Dakota. Working with people and bringing groups together is her favorite aspect of this work. Personally, Heather has a husband and two boys at home, and enjoys travel, time with family and friends, and reading a good book.
Now, Heather is passionate about creating North Dakota’s first tobacco free generation by working to create policies and programs that prevent our youth from beginning tobacco’s dangerous addiction.
Contact her at heather@tfnd.org
Andrew Horn
After a little more than two years as a reporter at KFYR-TV, I wanted a new way to give back to the community that’s given me so much.
Born and raised in Maryland. Still love the state with all my heart. North Dakota is my home now, but I will almost always be wearing something Maryland flag print. Don’t know much about the Old Line State? Ask me about it!
While we’re chatting about MD, I’ll also find ways to share the great work TFND is doing on behalf of all North Dakotans.
If you want to reach out, email me at andrew@tfnd.org.