Proof Alliance Diagnostic Team

Meet the team at the Proof Alliance FASD Diagnostic Clinic in St. Paul who provide comprehensive Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders evaluations.

Madeleine Gagnon, M.D.

Madeleine Gagnon, M.D., is the Medical Director of Pediatrics and Complex Care Physician at Gillette Children’s Hospital. Dr. Gagnon is board-certified in pediatrics.

Dr. Gagnon was inspired to become a complex pediatrician by her younger sister, Marquelle. Marquelle was born with a serious brain injury, genetic disorder and developed cerebral palsy. Dr. Gagnon became a complex care pediatrician because she wanted to do more for our patients and families.
In her free time, she enjoys skiing, sailing and spending time with her husband and twin sons.

Julia Conkel Ziebell, Ph.D., LP

Dr. Conkel Ziebell is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with an emphasis in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation of children and adolescents. Areas of interest include assessment of neurodevelopmental disorders, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, and mood and anxiety disorders.

She received a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Conkel Ziebell completed her doctoral residency in pediatric psychology and neuropsychology at the University of Minnesota Medical School and postdoctoral training at the FASD & Neurodevelopmental Disorders Clinic at Canvas Health. In addition, she holds a clinical certification as an FASD trainer from the Great Lakes FASD Regional Training Center. She has provided extensive training on FASD at the regional and national level.

In her free time, Dr. Conkel Ziebell enjoys running, traveling, and spending time with her husband and two children.

Antoine Jackson, M.A.

Antoine Jackson is the Proof Alliance Psychometrist who conducts neuropsychological evaluations with children and adolescents. He also works as a Mental Health Therapist focusing on child, adolescent, adult, and family emotional and behavioral disorders as well as trauma recovery.

Antoine received his Masters degree in Clinical Counseling from Adler Graduate School. He has recently applied for licensure to become a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in the State of Minnesota.

Antoine enjoys researching history, road trips, video gaming, family time, and working with people in the community.

Mercedes Rider

Mercedes Rider is the Clinic Manager at Proof Alliance. The diagnostic clinic opened in September 2012. She joined the team a month earlier and coordinated the final preparations leading up to that highly anticipated event. Today she is responsible for the daily operations of the clinic.

Mercedes has a BA in Family Studies and an MA in Early Childhood Education, both from San Francisco State University. Mercedes has worked as a service coordinator for families with infants and toddlers having developmental concerns and is fascinated by family systems and structures.

Mercedes also enjoys gardening, reading, and riding her bicycle.

Mary Jo Spencer, M.P.H., R.N., C.P.N.P.

Mary Jo Spencer has served as clinical staff providing FASD medical evaluations at the Proof Alliance FASD Diagnostic Clinic since its inception. She specializes in FASD diagnosis and health care for children and adolescents with prenatal alcohol and substance exposures, a history of stressful traumatic adverse events, and for those who have experienced adoption, foster care, kinship care, and a variety of out-of-home placements. She also provides consultation services about clinical practice issues related to FASD and FASD diagnosis.