Category: 40 Under 40

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 […]

Michelle Grijalva, RN, BSN For Michelle Grijalva, nursing is more than a profession, it is a calling rooted in compassion, resilience, and advocacy. Throughout her career, she has dedicated herself to caring for women with empathy while striving to eliminate barriers to equitable healthcare. As a 2026 Illinois Nurses Foundation 40 Under 40 Awardee, Michelle […]

Alyse Flury, DNP, RN, CNE For Alyse Flurry, nursing is about empowering others to discover their confidence, find their voice, and realize their potential. From caring for patients in behavioral health to mentoring future nurses in the classroom, her career has been guided by a passion for education, advocacy, and helping others succeed. As a […]

Feby George, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, CCRN-CMC For Feby George, nursing is about creating healthier communities through compassionate care, prevention, and leadership. Throughout her career, she has combined clinical expertise with a passion for public health, working to improve patient outcomes while expanding access to education and preventive care. As a 2026 Illinois Nurses Foundation 40 […]

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 […]

Danielle Prate, MSN, RN, CPN For Danielle Prate, nursing is about creating confidence, fostering growth, and ensuring every nurse is prepared to provide exceptional care. From caring for children at the bedside to developing educational programs for pediatric oncology nurses, her career has been guided by a passion for supporting both patients and the nurses […]

Amanda Tam, MSN, RN, CCRN, NPD-BC For Amanda Tam, nursing is a journey of continuous learning, innovation, and improving care for children and families. Throughout her career, she has combined clinical expertise with a passion for education, evidence-based practice, and professional development to create meaningful improvements in pediatric healthcare. As a 2026 Illinois Nurses Foundation […]

Melissa Zofkie, BSN, RN-BC For Melissa Zofkie, leadership is measured not by personal achievements, but by the success of those she helps along the way. Throughout her nursing career, she has been passionate about creating opportunities for others to grow, celebrating their accomplishments, and fostering environments where nurses feel supported and empowered. As a 2026 […]

Erica Slack, DNP, APRN-FPA, FNP-BC, CNL For Dr. Erica Slack, healthcare has never been simply a career, it has been a lifelong calling rooted in personal experience, compassion, and the belief that every individual deserves access to exceptional care. Inspired by her own childhood experiences navigating a chronic autoimmune disease, she has dedicated her career […]

Meghan Battista-Mueller, DNP, APRN, CNP, OCN For Meghan Battista-Mueller, nursing has always been about more than providing exceptional clinical care, it has been about listening, connecting, and walking beside patients during life’s most difficult moments. Guided by the principle of “listening with the ear of your heart,” she has built a career rooted in compassion, […]