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!
Cara Goodman
Cara Goodman is originally from Hamburg, Iowa and will graduate in December 2024. She has always been passionate about pediatrics, especially preventative and intensive care, since her younger sister was born with Down syndrome. She has volunteered with Young Special Olympics, Iowa Miss Amazing, and CCOM Teddy Bear Clinics while also working as an EKG Technician. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in the PICU or CICU and eventually receive a dual DNP in Pediatric Acute and Primary care. In her free time, Cara enjoys hanging out with family and friends. She is looking forward to the opportunities and memories YPNC will bring!
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.
Alydia Tyler
Alydia Tyler is a member of the December 2024 cohort. She is from Cedar Falls, IA. Alydia is interested in the pediatric ICU and all things peds! She currently works as a nursing assistant at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, which confirmed her passion for pediatrics. In her free time she enjoys spending time outside, being with family, and reading!
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!