Category: 40 Under 40

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, […]

Kelly Calcagno, MSN, MBA, RN, CCRN For Kelly Calcagno, nursing has always been personal. Long before she earned her nursing degree, she experienced healthcare through the eyes of a patient and a caregiver. Those early experiences shaped a lifelong passion for compassionate care, servant leadership, and advocating for the people who dedicate their lives to […]

Jennifer Johnson, BSN, RN, NPD-BC, CNRN For Jennifer Johnson, nursing is a testament to the power of perseverance, purpose, and believing in yourself. Although her path to becoming a nurse didn’t unfold as she originally planned, every challenge along the way strengthened her determination and ultimately led her to a career dedicated to developing future […]

Anthony Tiraboschi, MSN, RN, NPD-BC For Anthony Tiraboschi, nursing is about helping people grow. Whether caring for patients in the emergency department or developing educational programs that strengthen nurses across an entire healthcare system, he has built his career around empowering others to reach their full potential. As a 2026 Illinois Nurses Foundation 40 Under […]

Ophelia Stack, BSN, RN For Ophelia Stack, nursing has always been about building trust, creating opportunities, and showing up for others when they need it most. From beginning her healthcare journey as a first-generation college student to becoming a respected school nurse and community advocate, she has dedicated her career to caring for the whole […]

Jessica Kibble, M. Ed., BSN, RN, PEL-CSN For Jessica Kibble, nursing has never been about following a traditional path, it has been about discovering where she was meant to make the greatest difference. What began as uncertainty during nursing school became a career defined by advocacy, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to supporting children, families, […]

Haley Beach, RN, BSN For Haley Beach, nursing has always been about learning, leading, and making a difference. From beginning her college education while still in high school to becoming a respected nurse leader and advocate for patient safety, her career has been defined by a commitment to continuous growth and serving others. As a […]

Caitlin Hozie, BSN, RN, VA-BC For Caitlin Hozie, nursing has always been about seeing possibilities where others see challenges. Whether helping a patient through a difficult IV placement, mentoring fellow nurses, or building an entirely new vascular access program from the ground up, she believes that innovation begins with asking one simple question: How can […]