Pediatric Transport Team

The Blank Children's Pediatric Transport Team features highly-trained and experienced nurses who are available to help in the stabilization and transport of critically-ill or injured patients. The team maintains contact with physicians at Blank Children's Hospital throughout the transport. This provides the opportunity to relay pertinent patient information so the receiving unit is prepared for the child in order to provide the best care possible. Care is compassionate, professional and based on principles of family-centered care as the needs of the family are considered and met with respect and support during these difficult times. Research shows that pediatric patients transported by specialty teams have fewer unplanned events in transport, including less likelihood of an airway issue, cardiopulmonary arrest and loss of intravenous access. The study results also show less likelihood of mortality in patients transported via pediatric specialty teams.

Meet Our Team

Judy Walker, MD

Medical Director, Pediatric Transport Team, Pediatric Intensivist

Experience: Pediatric Critical Care Physician

Areas of interest: PALS National Faculty, Professional - Pediatric pain management, pediatric trauma, diabetic ketoacidosis, shock, and procedural sedation, Personal - Lord of the Rings

Laurie Gehrke, RN, BSN, CEN, CPEN

Pediatric Transport Team Member

Experience: Pediatric and Adult ER - 8 years, Air Transport and Air Transport Program Manager - 14 years, Pediatric Transport - 15 years

Certifications: BLS, PALS, ACLS, NRP, ENPC, CEN, CPEN, CMTE, TNCC-I, ATNC, TPATC (Instructor), ATCN (Instructor)

Member: Emergency Nurse Association, Air and Surface Transport Nurses Association, 100 Great Iowa Nurses - 2009, Iowa Child Death Review Team - Chairperson, Maple Street Free Medical Clinic co-manager

Areas of Interest: Pediatric emergency and critical care, transport services

Michelle Welch, RN

Pediatric Transport Team Member

Experience: Adult ICU/CCU - 6 years, Life Flight - 9 years, Pediatric Transport - 8 years

Certifications: ACLS, BLS, PALS, NRP, TNCC, PHTLS, EMT-B, AMLS, ENPC, TNATC

Areas of Interest: Professional - Adult and pediatric critically-ill patients, Personal - Spending time with family

Jamie Steenhoek, RN, BSN, CPN

Pediatric Transport Team Member

Experience: General Pediatrics/Oncology - 3 years, Pediatric ER - 3 years, Pediatric Transport - 5 years

Certifications: BLS (Instructor), PALS (Instructor), ACLS, NRP, ENPC (Instructor), TNCC, PHTLS, TNATC, CPN

Areas of Interest: Professional - Family-centered care, injury prevention, pediatric trauma, Personal - Scrap-booking, family, shopping, gardening and sewing

Jamee Adams, RN

Pediatric Transport Team Member

Experience: Pediatric ER - 9 years, Pediatric Transport - 3 years

Certifications: BLS, ACLS, PALS, TNCC, ENPC, NRP, EMT-B

Areas of Interest: Pediatric emergency and trauma

Amy Navrkal, RN, BSN

 
Pediatric Transport Team Member

Experience: General Pediatrics - 3 years,  Pediatric ER - 2 years, Pediatric Transport - 1 year

Certifications: BLS, ACLS, PALS, TNCC, ENPC, NRP, Peds SANE

Member: Sigma Theta Tau International

Areas of Interest: Family-centered care

Phil Lee, RN, CPEN

Pediatric Transport Team Member

Experience: Pediatric ER - 5 years, Pediatric Transport - 3 years 

Certifications: BLS (Instructor), PALS (Instructor), ACLS, TNCC, ENPC, ATCN, NRP, TPATC

Areas of Interest: Pediatric emergency and trauma care

Amy Brenizer, RN, BSN

Pediatric Transport Team Member

Experience: Adult ICU - 1 Year, Pediatric ICU - 3 Years, Pediatric Transport - 1 Year 

Certifications: ACLS, PALS, NRP, TNCC, BLS, ENPC

Areas of Interest: Pediatric Critical Care, Trauma

Eli Landry

Pediatric Transport Team Member

Experience: Adult ED/ICU - 4 years, NICU/PICU/Pediatric Cardiac ICU - 4 years, ECMO Team - 1 year, Pediatric Transport - 1 year
 
Certifications: ACLS, PALS, NRP, ENPC, TNCC, BLS, ATCN
 
Areas of Interest: Pediatric Critical Care