Meet The Team

Our TPIAT Team posing on balcony over looking the Univeristy of Minnesota "Mall" courtyard

Events & Activities

Images from Camp Hope: Dr. Elissa Downs, Dr. Melena Bellin, and Emily Scheidecker RN volunteering at Camp Hope, the only camp for kids with pancreatitis.

Dr. Elissa Downs, Dr. Melena Bellin, and Emily Scheidecker RN volunteering at Camp Hope, the only camp for kids with pancreatitis. 

A group of diverse adults and young people, some wearing bandanas, pose with a yellow lab in front of a welcome sign for "Camp Hope 2023."

2025 Camp Hope Volunteers

Awards & Kudos

Pictured from left to right are: Marty Freeman, Melena Bellin, Srinath Chinnakotla, Sarah Jane Schwarzenberg, Guru Trikudanathan at the award presentation for Dr. Chinnakotla

Dr. Srinath Chinnakotla received the University of Minnesota Medical Center 2023 staff award for Excellence in Clinical Care.

Pictured from left to right are: Marty Freeman, Melena Bellin, Srinath Chinnakotla, Sarah Jane Schwarzenberg, Guru Trikudanathan

Martin Freeman's smiling for a professional headshot. He is in a blue suit and light blue button down. He is wearing glasses and has a gray beard.

Dr. Martin Freeman is awarded the Rudolf Schindler award in May 2024. This is a national award recognizing outstanding achievement in endoscopic therapy. Dr. Freeman has pioneered modern endoscopic therapy for pancreatitis.

View the Award Announcement

Smiling man in a blue sweater and glasses posing with a large Charlie Brown statue holding flowers and a tablet.

In Memorium

The University of Minnesota was saddened to lose Dr. David Sutherland on March 23, 2025. Dr. Sutherland was the first surgeon in the world to perform TPIAT in 1977. It was his pioneering work that enables patients today to access TPIAT at our center or elsewhere in the world. More importantly, he was a kind soul, compassionate caregiver to his patients, and mentor to many physicians, surgeons, and researchers worldwide. We remain grateful for the strong program he has developed here at Minnesota. 

MPR Article on Dr. David Sutherland