Kelsey Niketopoulos, MSN, RN, CPHON, CPN, NPD-BC
For Kelsey Niketopoulos, nursing is about standing beside others through life’s most difficult moments with compassion, knowledge, and hope. Throughout her career, she has dedicated herself to improving the lives of children and families facing cancer while supporting the nurses who care for them. As a 2026 Illinois Nurses Foundation 40 Under 40 Awardee, Kelsey continues to advance pediatric oncology through education, innovation, and advocacy, bringing both professional expertise and personal understanding to every life she touches.
A Heart for Pediatric Oncology
After graduating from Bradley University in 2016, Kelsey began her nursing career on the general pediatric unit at Advocate Children’s Hospital. While providing bedside care, she earned her Master of Science in Nursing Education from Chamberlain University before transitioning into pediatric hematology and oncology, where she discovered the specialty that would define her career.
Her passion for caring for children with cancer and blood disorders, combined with her love of education, led her to become the Nursing Professional Development Specialist for the pediatric hematology/oncology program in 2022. In this role, she has helped strengthen nursing practice while supporting both patients and healthcare professionals through education and mentorship.
Advancing Care Through Innovation
Kelsey is passionate about improving outcomes for children facing complex diagnoses and ensuring nurses have the knowledge and confidence to provide exceptional care. One of her proudest accomplishments was helping implement a naxitamab treatment program for children with high-risk neuroblastoma, making Advocate Children’s Hospital the first children’s hospital in Illinois to offer this specialized therapy.
Her commitment to excellence has also been recognized nationally through her selection as the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation’s 2026 Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse of the Year, an honor that reflects her dedication to advancing pediatric oncology nursing.
Strengthened by Experience
In 2023, Kelsey’s journey took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Experiencing cancer from the perspective of a patient gave her a renewed appreciation for the compassion, advocacy, and support nurses provide every day. Rather than changing her purpose, the experience deepened it, strengthening her commitment to improving care for patients and families facing similar challenges.
Today, Kelsey extends that advocacy through her leadership as Vice President of the APHON Chicago Chapter and her involvement with the Children’s Oncology Group Patient Advocacy and Return of Results Committees. As she and her husband, Brad, begin an exciting new chapter in Wisconsin, she remains dedicated to advancing pediatric oncology nursing, mentoring future nurses, and ensuring every patient and family feels supported throughout their journey.
The Illinois Nurses Foundation proudly recognizes Kelsey Niketopoulos as a 2026 40 Under 40 Awardee for her dedication to pediatric oncology nursing, patient advocacy, nursing education, and advancing innovative cancer care. Through her compassion, resilience, and leadership, she continues to make a lasting difference in the lives of children, families, and the nursing profession.
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