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!
Danielle Schultes RN, MSN, CPN
Dani is a staff nurse at the Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital on the Pediatric Cardiac and Respiratory unit. She also teaches third semester students for the Parent Child Practicum. Dani loves working with children and seeing what fun passions and hobbies they all have! She finds joy in talking with children of all ages and working with their families to get them back home happy and healthy! She is so excited to be the co-director of the Pediatric Interest Group and share her love of pediatrics!
Taylor David
Taylor Davis is from Bloomington, Minnesota. She is a member of the December 2026 cohort! Taylor knew she always wanted to work with kids in her future, and her dream is to work on a pediatric unit as a registered nurse. Taylor became so inspired by all the work Stead Family has done for families and their kiddos, and she wishes to be a part of that. During the school year, Taylor works as a PCT in the float pool at UI Healthcare.
In her free time, Taylor loves to spend time with her friends and family, grab a coffee, and enjoy the outdoors. She is so excited to be a part of the Young Pediatric Nurse Clinician Program, to learn more about pediatric nursing, and for the opportunities the program will bring!
Avery Erickson
Avery Erickson is originally from Sugar Grove, Illinois and will graduate in December 2026. She is very excited to be a member of the YPNCP and cannot wait for the opportunities it will bring. Her passion for pediatric nursing began when she was a bone marrow donor for her younger brother in 2021. She has a special interest in hematology-oncology nursing and eventually would like to pursue her nurse practitioner degree!! On campus, Avery is involved in Dance Marathon and volunteers on the pediatric oncology unit at Stead Family Children's Hospital. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, playing pickleball and spending time with friends and family!
Hope Markis
Hope Makris is from Naperville, Illinois and will graduate from the University of Iowa College of Nursing in May of 2027. Hope has volunteered on level 9 of the Stead Family Children’s Hospital during her time in nursing school. When home in Naperville, she is a nanny for four children and loves spending her time making memories with them and getting to watch them grow. She has a deep passion for children, childhood development, and love for the pediatric population’s magical imaginations and resiliency. She hopes to pursue a career in pediatric oncology or critical care after graduation. She is very excited to learn more about the field, gain experiences, and find her place within pediatric nursing!
Emilia Scott
Emilia Scott is from Glenview, Illinois and is a member of the May 2027 cohort. She has always been drawn to working with children and hopes to become a pediatric nurse practitioner in the future. During the school year, Emilia works at a flower shop in Iowa City, where she loves getting to create arrangements and help make people’s days a little brighter. In her free time, she enjoys baking sourdough, growing microgreens, and doing arts and crafts. She is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be a part of YPNCP and is looking forward to learning more about pediatric nursing and all that the program has to offer.
Sofia Gumucio
Sofia Gumucio is originally from Algonquin, Illinois, and will graduate in May 2027. Her passion for pediatrics stems from a young age. Sofia used to coach dance and always thought that kids saw the world through a lens of hope and exhibited resilience. This is a huge reason why she wants to one day become a pediatric Emergency Department nurse. Sofia currently works for the University’s Office of Admissions as a campus Tour Guide. In her free time, she loves to get coffee with friends, read, and spend time with her family. Sofia is super excited to be a part of YPNCP and can’t wait for all the opportunities ahead.
Madelyn Cook
Madelyn Cook is from Elgin, Illinois and will graduate in December 2026. Madelyn’s love and passion for pediatric nursing was inspired by watching compassionate nurses care for her little sister. She currently works as a patient care technician in the Pediatric Specialty Clinic at UIHC and has always dreamed of becoming a NICU nurse. In her free time, Madelyn enjoys reading, going for a walk, and spending time with friends and family. She is so excited for the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of children through the Young Pediatric Nurse Clinician Program!
Lauren Dudkiewicz
Lauren Dudkiewicz is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and will graduate in May of 2027. She is drawn to pediatric nursing through her experience babysitting, teaching dance lessons, and volunteering in the Mother Baby Unit at St. Joseph's Hospital in Milwaukee. Lauren has also participated in nursing research through the College of Nursing across three Intensive Care Units at UI Hospitals & Clinics which has strengthened her interest in evidence-based practice. After graduation, she hopes to work in a pediatric acute care setting. In her free time, Lauren likes to travel, go for walks outside, paint, and spend time with family and friends. She is excited to join the Young Pediatric Nurse Clinician Program to gain further exposure to pediatric nursing and connect with mentors and peers who share her passion for pediatrics.
Grace Driscoll
Grace Driscoll is from Davenport, Iowa, and will graduate with her BSN in December of 2026. She is the oldest of 5 siblings and has always loved working with kids. She has many years of past childcare experience and currently works in the Pediatric Specialty Clinic at Stead Family Children's Hospital. Grace is also a member of Tri Delta Sorority, and in her free time she enjoys getting coffee with friends and going to concerts. She is so excited for the opportunities the YPNC has to offer as she pursues a career in pediatric nursing!
Ellie Rickertsen
Ellie Rickertsen, from Clinton, Iowa, is a member of the December 2026 cohort. She developed a strong interest in pediatrics through babysitting and spending time with her 11 younger cousins, as well as coaching club track and field for children from kindergarten through 12th grade, which inspired her passion for caring for children and supporting families. In her free time, Ellie enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, listening to music, working out, studying at a coffee shop, reading, and attending church. She is excited to be a part of the Young Pediatric Nurse Clinician Program and looks forward to the experiences and opportunities it will provide as she pursues a career in pediatric nursing, with the long-term goal of furthering her education to become a Nurse Practitioner.
Jo Braier
Jo Braier is from Pewaukee, WI and will graduate from the University of Iowa College of Nursing in May of 2027. She developed a strong interest in pediatrics through her experience with her sister. Her sister spent a few months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit which is where Jo's passion for pediatric nursing peaked. In her free time, Jo enjoys hiking, snowboarding, and working out as well as listening to music and hanging out with her friends and family. Jo is very excited to be a part of the Young Pediatric Nurse Clinician Program and looks forward to all of the opportunities they have to offer.
Jenna Sollberger
Jenna Sollberger is originally from Dunlap, Illinois, and will be graduating from the University of Iowa College of Nursing in December of 2027. From a very early age, she has always had a deep love and passion for helping children and hopes to pursue a career as a Pediatric nurse with interests in Oncology and Intensive Care. She currently volunteers as a Developmental Care volunteer in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Stead Family Children’s Hospital. She is so eager to join the Young Pediatric Nurse Clinician Program to grow her exposure to pediatric nursing and have the opportunity to learn through various mentors and peers!
Sara Elias
Sara Elias is originally from Davenport, Iowa, and will graduate from the College of Nursing in December 2027. She is a first-generation college student who has developed an interest in pediatric nursing through caring for children in her family and volunteering in the postpartum unit at MercyOne Genesis Hospital. Sara currently works as a Patient Care Technician at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Adult Acute Care. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crocheting, and spending time with family and friends. Following graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in pediatric primary care or neonatal care and is grateful for the opportunity the Young Pediatric Nurse Clinician Program has given her to further explore this field.
Isa La Voy
Isa La Voy is from Geneva, Illinois and will graduate in May of 2027. Being the oldest of three girls and the neighborhood babysitter sparked her interest in pediatrics. Isa hopes to eventually pursue her DNP and become a pediatric nurse practitioner. Over the summer, she worked as a summer camp counselor at The Boys and Girls Club of Aurora. During the semester, she enjoys volunteering at the University of Iowa Food Pantry. In her free time, she loves to read, paint, and spend time with her friends and family. She is very excited to further her learning and explore new opportunities through the SPNCP!
Sophia Barbieri
Sophia Barbieri is a new member of the YPNC and couldn’t be more excited! She is from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and will be graduating in December of 2027. For the past 3 years, Sophia has been a Patient Care Technician on Level 9 of Stead Family Children’s Hospital, which has grown her passion for working with the pediatric population. Sophia has always enjoyed being around kids and their incredible imagination, creativity, and resilience. In her free time, Sophia enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, working out, reading, and always has a coffee in hand! She is more than excited to continue growing her pediatric nursing skills, learn from those around her, and create positive experiences for the kids she gets to care for.
Natalie Ereio
Natalie Ereio is from Western Springs, Illinois and will graduate from the University of Iowa College of Nursing in May of 2027. When home, she is a nanny for multiple families and coaches gymnastics! She has spent almost her entire life watching children grow, celebrating their accomplishments, creating a nurturing environment and being someone they can look to for encouragement and support. In her free time, she loves to work out, practice yoga, get coffee with friends and spend time with people she loves. After graduation, she hopes to begin her career in neonatal or pediatric nursing, with the goal of working in the NICU or PICU. In the future she also hopes to pursue a career as a pediatric nurse practitioner. She is excited to join the Young Pediatric Nurse Clinician Program, become involved in the pediatric community, and explore the new opportunities it brings. She is eager to gain new experiences, and apply what she learns to her future practice as a pediatric nurse!