Our Leadership Team    

Co-Medical Director, Dr. Mark Wildgen, MD, Psychiatrist: Dr. Wildgen completed his residency and internship in 1978 at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. He graduated from medical school in 1975 from the University of Nebraska and obtained his Bachelors’ of Science degree at Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington. He is a licensed psychiatrist in Minnesota and has been in private practice in Bemidji since 1982. He provides psychiatric consultation to local hospitals and several mental healthcare providers.

Co-Medical Director, Dr. Bonnie Bailey, MD: Dr. Bailey received her Masters’ in Clinical Psychology from the University of Iowa in 1974 and was a master level psychologist in Tallahassee, Florida. She graduated from medical school with honors in 1991 from the University of Florida. She completed her residency in Newport News, Virginia, in 1994. She has been with Sanford Health of Northern Minnesota since May of 2002 as a family practice doctor and as the Medical Director at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center's Acute Rehabilitation Unit.

Saunda St. Martin, RN: Saunda is a registered nurse with a dual national board certified as a gerontological nurse practitioner and as a clinical nurse specialist in adult psychiatric mental health care. She has a Masters’ degree and has completed two years post graduate work at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, VA Hospital and in-patient psychiatric units. She is experienced in providing medical and psychiatric care to adult populations. Saunda also lectures extensively on topics related to the elderly.

Sarah Tarutis, RN: Sarah is a registered nurse who is Board Certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as a Nurse Practitioner in Adult Psychiatric Mental Health. She has a Bachelors’ degree in nursing from Bemidji State University (1990) and a Master’s degree in nursing from the University of Minnesota (2002), and a clinical doctorate in nursing from the University of Minnesota (2007). Sarah has extensive experience providing care to a geriatric-psych population.

Director, Ruth Landt, MA, RN: Ruth is a registered nurse who is board certified by the ANCC as a Geriatric Clinical Nurse Specialist. She holds both a Bachelors’ and a Masters’ degree from the College of St Scholastica, Duluth, MN. She has worked primarily long-term care with a psychiatric focus throughout her career. Ruth previously served as a Program Director for a senior behavioral unit and an adult mental health hospital.

Social Service Director, Sarah Markert, MSW, LGSW: Sarah has a Bachelors’ of Science degree in psychology from North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, and has a Masters degree in social work from the University of Minnesota, Duluth.  Sarah has had the unique opportunity to be a part of a multidisciplinary geriatric training about the specific needs of the elderly in rural Minnesota. She began working in the mental health field in the Bemidji area with families needing assistance and with those in crisis in 2000. 

Assistant Director, Cindy Haugen, RN: Cindy has a Bachelors’ of Arts degree in nursing with a minor in biology. She is ANCC Board Certified in gerontology and  has worked in chronic long-term care psychiatry throughout the state of Minnesota. She has expertise and experience working with the chronic mental illness, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and personality and mood disorders.

Our team also includes; experienced registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and patient care associates.