About Us

Dr. Lewis P. Zeidner serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Meridian Behavioral Health. Prior to joining Meridian Behavioral Health, LLC Dr Zeidner served as Vice President for the Mental Health and Addiction Service Line at MHealth Fairview. He was responsible for reducing barriers in accessing care for patients with mental health and substance use needs. He launched Minnesota’s first EmPATH program to meet the needs of those experiencing a mental health crisis and opened a virtual Transition Clinic allowing patients to start care while waiting for an appointment. Through his career Dr. Zeidner has focused his work on addressing the challenges people face in accessing and complying with recommended care plans at both a population and individual level. Much of his work has focused on obstacles to medication compliance including the structure and care models of retail pharmacies.

Jim is an accomplished executive with experience in various aspects of the healthcare industry. His passion for healthcare and serving patients started in the late 1990’s as a community pharmacist. Since, he’s served in numerous healthcare positions including COO, VP, Director and Co-founder. He has a passion for healthcare and business operations with a particular interest in developing teams and processes to increase speed to therapy and improve overall healthcare outcomes. Jim received his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Drake University. He continued to earn his Executive Leadership Certificate from Cornell University and Master of Business Administration from St. Cloud State University.

Stacy holds a Master's degree in Clinical Social Work and has dedicated over 15 years to supporting children, adolescents, adults, and families dealing with mental health and substance use disorders. She has extensive experience working in various social and healthcare settings, including CentraCare and Fairview Health Services, honing her skills in providing compassionate and effective care. In early 2024, Stacy joined the Meridian team as VP for Clinical Services, bringing her knowledge and expertise to further the mission of person-centered, co-occurring care.

Ernest Lampe, MD joined Meridian Behavioral Health in October of 2017 as the Medical Director for the Valhalla Methadone Programs after 5 years as Director for New Seasons Methadone Programs. He now serves as the Medical Director for Meridian Behavioral Health’s residential programs. He is an Abdominal and Cancer Surgeon and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He received his MD Degree and Surgical Training at the University of Minnesota. He retired from the Operating Room in 2010 and started in the Practice of Addiction Medicine. He is a Member of the American Society of Addiction Medicine.

Kate began her career in the behavioral health industry in 2012 as an intern in the mental health department of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. After being hired on full-time following the completion of her internship, she spent the following nine years at HBFF writing, building, and implementing new programs on both the clinical and business development sides of the organization. Following her time at HBFF, Kate successfully led large-scale growth efforts for national companies in both the non-profit, and for-profit sectors. Kate holds a mental health license (LPCC), a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, and a master’s degree in Business Administration and Leadership.

Mike Umland serves as the Vice President of Finance for Meridian Behavioral Health. Prior to joining the Meridian team, Mike served as Chief Financial Officer of PreferredOne, which was a wholly owned subsidiary of MHealth Fairview. He was responsible for all Finance, Accounting, Treasury and Underwriting functions of PreferredOne. He has a passion for Healthcare and Financial Planning & Analysis. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Gustavus Adolphus College. He is a Certified Public Accountant and earned his Certified Managed Care Executive certificate. Mike is also a Member of the American Institute of CPA’s and a Member of Financial Executives International.

With over fifteen years of experience in Human Resources, Michelle has dedicated her career to enhancing organizational culture and driving employee engagement. She has extensive experience working in various industries including non-profit and healthcare settings. She graduated from St. Cloud State University with a bachelor's degree in human resources management. Her background includes leading talent development efforts, implementing performance management programs, and serving as a strategic partner to create inclusive work environments that empower individuals and teams. As a proactive leader, she is committed to cultivating a thriving workplace where employees can excel and contribute to the company’s success.

Andy Muhlenburg comes to Meridian with over 10 years of sales experience and has been in the behavioral health field the last few years. She has a strong passion for working with other professionals and getting help for those struggling with substance use disorders and other mental health conditions. She is currently working towards becoming a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor.

Tami Knudson's marketing and business development career spans two decades in the industries of medical, substance use disorder, and health & wellness. She's work in all mediums from television to newspaper and has a background in agency account services as well as in-house marketing management and business development. She received her B.S. in Mass Communications from the University of North Dakota. She began her career with Meridian Behavioral Health in February of 2023. She supports the north-central and south-central regions of Minnesota with a focus on Douglas Place and Anchorage Recovery.

Lauren comes to Meridian Behavioral Health and the world of recovery after spending her career in homelessness services. Working closely with Meridian Behavioral Health programs over her years in case management and resource navigation roles for people experiencing substance use disorder while unhoused, she joined the team eager to support the programs that have saved many of her former clients’ lives. She has a BS in marketing and communications and utilizes her personal experiences as a former service provider to speak to the quality of Meridian Behavioral Health's programs. Lauren works with patients on Medical Assistance or have no insurance and she continues to work closely with those in communities experiencing deep poverty or homelessness to help more people recover from substance use disorder.

Marilyn's background in mental health and addiction is deep-rooted & extensive. She began her healthcare career in an inner-city tertiary hospital system where she learned the entire, "back of the house" in mental health and addiction including, dictation, coding, credentialing, and billing. Tackling these behind-the-scenes skills helped her to pair her personal passion with her love of events and people to culminate into her current role here at Merdian. She is always seeking opportunities to connect with families, referents, and potential partners to offer solutions for those struggling with mental health and addiction to live their lives in peace.