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