Lauren Yarkony, DNP, RN, CPNP-PC, CPN
For Lauren Yarkony, exceptional nursing begins with meaningful human connection. Throughout her career, she has combined clinical excellence with compassion, believing that the most effective care comes from listening, building trust, and partnering with patients and families every step of the way. As a 2026 Illinois Nurses Foundation 40 Under 40 Awardee, Lauren continues to advance pediatric nursing through evidence-based practice, family-centered care, and a commitment to treating the whole child.
Building a Foundation of Compassion
Lauren earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Boston College in 2017, where a liberal arts education shaped not only her clinical knowledge but also her perspective on service, communication, teamwork, and compassionate care. Those experiences taught her that becoming an exceptional nurse meant becoming an empathetic and well-rounded person.
She began her career at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, caring for children and families while developing a strong clinical foundation in rehabilitation nursing. There, she gained a deep appreciation for interdisciplinary collaboration, patient and family advocacy, and the importance of empowering children to reach their fullest potential.
Her commitment to pediatric care continued at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, where she served on the Resource Team, providing care across critical care, acute care, emergency, and transitional care settings while completing her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Pediatric Primary Care at Rush University. Today, she serves as an inpatient Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at La Rabida Children’s Hospital, caring for children with medical complexities while supporting families through every stage of recovery and transition.
Caring for the Whole Child
Lauren is passionate about evidence-based practice and believes exceptional pediatric care extends beyond treating illness. She embraces a whole-child approach that prioritizes medical stability, emotional well-being, development, and family engagement, ensuring caregivers feel informed, supported, and empowered throughout their child’s healthcare journey.
She also enjoys mentoring new nurses and contributing to hospital initiatives that strengthen collaboration and professional growth. For Lauren, combining education, teamwork, and empathy creates the greatest opportunity to improve outcomes for children and families.
The Power of Human Connection
One of the most meaningful moments of Lauren’s career came after participating as a panelist for Schwartz Center Rounds, an experience that later led to being invited as a keynote speaker at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s annual gala. The opportunity reinforced a lesson that continues to guide her practice every day: nursing is not only about clinical expertise but also about taking the time to truly listen, understand, and honor each family’s unique journey.
Outside of work, Lauren’s greatest joy is being “Aunt LoLo” to her five nieces and nephews. Whether spending summers together at camp, traveling with family, or creating everyday memories, those relationships continue to remind her of the importance of connection, compassion, and showing up wholeheartedly for the people who matter most.
The Illinois Nurses Foundation proudly recognizes Lauren Yarkony as a 2026 40 Under 40 Awardee for her dedication to pediatric nursing, family-centered care, evidence-based practice, and compassionate leadership. Through her commitment to treating the whole child and building meaningful relationships, she continues to make a lasting impact on children, families, and the future of pediatric healthcare.
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