Danielle Busta RN, MSN, CPHON, BMTCN
Danielle is a staff nurse at the Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital on the Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant unit. She also teaches third semester students for the Parent Child Practicum. Danielle loves the pediatric patient population because of the patient’s magical thinking, their resiliency, and their ability to have smiles and happy times while even in the hospital! She is so excited to be the co-director of the Young Pediatric Nurse Clinician Program and share her love of pediatrics!
Katie Hildreth, DNP, ARNP, CPNP-AC/PC
Katie is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at the Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital on the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. She also teaches third semester students for the Parent Child Practicum. Katie loves working with children and their families to make their experience in the hospital just a little brighter! She loves how quickly kids bounce back and their amazing imaginations. She is so excited to be the co-director of the Young Pediatric Nurse Clinician Program and share her love of pediatrics!
Jenni Liu
Jenni Liu is originally from Colorado Springs, Colorado. She has always been passionate about pediatrics and hopes to pursue a career in the NICU. She currently works in the Medical-Surgical Oncology and Hematology unit. She also volunteers in the NICU and as a Girls on the Run coach. Eventually, she want to pursue a career as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. In her free time, she loves to work out, run, and spend time with family and friends!
Brielle Lombardi
Brielle Lombardi, from Peoria Illinois, is a senior this year. She had a passion for caring for children when she was younger, which sparked her interest in becoming a nurse in the first place. Once Brielle came to Iowa, she was inspired by all the amazing care this university provides to the children and how much it unifies the university. She began working at a daycare where her love for kids grew even more. Brielle feels that Iowa has been an amazing place to call her second home.
Elizabeth Wessel
Elizabeth Wessel is a returning member of the Young Pediatric Nurse Clinician Program and will be graduating from the University of Iowa College of Nursing in May of 2025. She is originally from Colesburg, IA and grew up in a family of 5 with 2 brothers. Liz works on Level 10 at UI Stead Family Children's Hospital and loves working with kids! She has an interest in critical care and oncology and would love to be a pediatric nurse in one of those two fields. She also has goals of doing mission work and becoming fluid is ASL. Outside of nursing, Liz loves to read, bake, hang out with friends and family and play with her corgi, Harvey!
Kaitlyn Will
Kaitlyn Will is originally from Ames, Iowa, and will graduate in December 2025. She has always loved the pediatric population and has envisioned a career in pediatrics. She has been a long-time nanny and currently works as a patient care technician on L9 of Stead Family Children’s Hospital. Kaitlyn is interested and open to all fields within pediatrics. In her free time, she enjoys going for walks, spending time at the lake, working out, and spending time with family and friends. Eventually, she wishes to pursue a career as a Pediatric or Family Nurse Practitioner. She is excited about the Young Pediatric Nurse Clinician Program and looks forward to the opportunities it will bring!
Ava Michna
Ava Michna, from Moline Illinois, is a member of the December 2025 cohort. She is interested in working in the pediatric intensive care unit after graduation. Ava has been a youth volleyball coach, nanny, and currently works as a nursing assistant in the university hospital. In her past time, she enjoys working out, spending time with loved ones, and trying new places to eat. She eventually hopes to further her education and become either a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner or Pediatric CRNA! Ava is excited for the experiences the Young Pediatric Nurse Clinician Program will provide in addition to her future as a pediatric nurse.
Meaghan Murphy
Meaghan is originally from Naperville, IL, and is am a member of the December 2025 cohort. Meaghan found her passion working with kids while running a summer camp in her neighborhood called Camp Compassion. Her abilities to delegate, persevere, and empower were fostered through her time at Camp Compassion, and she learned the overwhelming gratitude of nurturing and helping others. Continuing to work with kids, Meaghan merged her interests for nursing and children and found her passion for a career in pediatric nursing! At Iowa, she works in the Admissions Department helping prospective students find a similar love for Iowa that she has, and Meaghan is also involved in sorority life and the softball club!
Delaney Johnson
Delaney Johnson is a new member of the YPNC group and could not be more excited! She is originally from Melrose Park, Illinois and will graduate in May 2026. She has always wanted to be a pediatric nurse since the day she saw her sister in the hospital. Delaney has always strived to help others and be a space of comfort for those in hard times. She works at the Pediatric Specialty Clinic at UIHC as a Patient Care Technician and loves working with kids! Delaney hopes to one day be a nurse on a pediatric ICU or pediatric oncology floor. In her free time, Delaney enjoys travelling, reading, and spending time with family.
Rayna Kauffman
Rayna Kauffman is originally from Lake Zurich, Illinois and will be graduating from the University of Iowa College of Nursing in May of 2026. She has always been passionate about caring for children in her future and eventually wants to pursue a career as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She currently works as a Nursing Assistant at the University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics. Rayna is so excited to make a difference in the pediatric care world and is thrilled to see what opportunities the YPNCP will bring!
Katherine Hoffman
Katherine Hoffman, from Oak Park, Illinois, is a member of the Spring 2026 cohort. During the past two summers, she has worked as a Patient Access Intern at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Inspired by the compassionate nurses who cared for her when she was young, Katherine hopes to pursue a career in pediatrics so she can make a difference in the lives of young children. She is excited about the opportunity to learn from leaders and mentors through the Young Nurse Pediatric Clinical Program. In her free time, Katherine enjoys staying active through running and yoga, reading a good book, and spending time with family and friends.
Pranjal Patel
Pranjal Patel, originally from Wood Dale, Illinois. Is a member of the May 2025 cohort! She has always been interested in working with children and is open to working on any pediatric unit. Pranjal works as a PCT on a medical surgical floor over her summer and winter breaks. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and baking/cooking! Pranjal hopes to continue her education to become a pediatric or family nurse practitioner in the future. She is looking forward to being a part of the Young Pediatric Nurse Clinician Program!
Megan O’Connell
Megan O’Connell is from Normal, Illinois, and will graduate with her BSN in December 2025. She finds joy and fulfillment in working with children and cherishes the responsibilities of working with pediatric patients and their families. Her research through College of Nursing Honors focuses on patient education tools within the pediatric population with the goal of helping kids better understand the conditions and procedures they are dealing with. She is also enrolled in the Critical Care Nursing course with the intention of preparing for work in the PICU. After graduation, she plans on pursuing a DNP to become a family or pediatric nurse practitioner. In her free time, she enjoys baking, writing, reading, playing bass guitar and violin, having a few laughs with friends and family, and listening to music. She is incredibly grateful to be a part of the YPNCP alongside so many amazing individuals!