I have always been driven to help others, especially children. I grew up on a farm in central Kansas. After high school, I attended the University of Kansas, where I received a Bachelor of Arts in Human Biology and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. During that time, I worked with children in the Special Olympics.I studied abroad in Spain and Argentina and learned to speak Spanish. After graduation, I worked in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Mercy Hospital for five years, where I provided specialized care for the tiniest and most critically ill patients.In 2011, I obtained a Master of Science in Nursing from UMKC and started my career in primary care pediatrics. I joined Raintree Pediatrics (now Community Choice Pediatrics) as a nurse practitioner in 2016 and have been practicing here since. I enjoy watching families grow and providing support and care for both well and sick children.I’m married and a mother of three (two daughters and a son). My husband is also a nurse practitioner who is originally from South America. I enjoy spending time with my family, visiting new places and cooking.

For as long as I can recall, I wanted to work in pediatrics. The journey started when I became a staff RN at Lee’s Summit Physicians Group (now Community Choice Pediatrics) in 2009 after obtaining my Bachelor of Science in nursing from St. Luke’s College.As my love for pediatric primary care grew, I then chose to return to school to complete my Master of Science in Nursing at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and began working as a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at our Raintree office in 2014What I love best about being a PNP is getting the opportunity to form lasting relationships with the patients and families I see in my office each day. If there’s one thing I believe whole-heartedly in when it comes to pediatrics, it is that pediatric primary care is never just about the child. It’s about caring for and educating the whole family.In my free time, I’m a huge sports fan and enjoy cheering on my favorite local teams, the Kansas Jayhawks, Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals. I also love chasing after my sons, random date nights with my husband, running on my treadmill and reading on my Kindle late into the night.Here’s a fun fact about me: Before becoming a PNP and starting a family, my husband and I lived in Colorado for a couple of years and spent nearly every weekend in the mountains snowboarding. I hope to teach my boys to snowboard someday.

Carson Burns is a Nurse Practitioner in Belton, Missouri. Ms. Burns is highly rated in 1 condition, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are ALK-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Febrile Neutropenia, Smoldering Multiple Myeloma, and Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer. Ms. Burns is currently accepting new patients.

Lauren Russell is a Nurse Practitioner in Raymore, Missouri. Her top area of expertise is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Ms. Russell is currently accepting new patients.

Narin Tipton is a Nurse Practitioner in Raymore, Missouri. Her top areas of expertise are Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Vitamin D Deficiency, Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), and Biliary Dyskinesia.

Zandra Gottman is a Nurse Practitioner in Belton, Missouri. Her top areas of expertise are Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (HoFH), Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (HeFH), and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Ms. Gottman is currently accepting new patients.

Erica Bourbon is a Nurse Practitioner in Belton, Missouri. Her top areas of expertise are Fractured Spine and Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF). Ms. Bourbon is currently accepting new patients.

Kimberly Winkley is a Nurse Practitioner in Belton, Missouri. Her top areas of expertise are Rhizarthrosis, Sacroiliac Joint Disease, and Achilles Tendon Rupture. Ms. Winkley is currently accepting new patients.

Melanie Kovarik is a Nurse Practitioner in Belton, Missouri. Her top area of expertise is Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP).

Margurite Isaac is a Nurse Practitioner in Belton, Missouri. Her top area of expertise is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Ms. Isaac is currently accepting new patients.

Amalia Albor is a Nurse Practitioner in Belton, Missouri. Her top areas of expertise are Vitamin D Deficiency and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Ms. Albor is currently accepting new patients.

I have been a pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) at Community Choice Pediatrics since 2010. My nursing experience before becoming a PNP was all pediatric. I spent more than 10 years in the pediatric intensive care unit, emergency department, primary care clinics and medical-surgical inpatient units. I also taught BSN nursing students and worked in nursing administration. Taking care of healthy newborn babies through critically ill teenagers (and everything in between) prepared me well for my role here as a PNP.When my family moved to Missouri from Nebraska in 2007, a neighbor recommended this practice for my children’s care. I brought my kids in for their well-child visits and was so impressed with the office that I applied for a job to work as a part-time nurse.A few months later, one of our other PNPs encouraged me to go back to school to become a nurse practitioner. Being a PNP is my favorite nursing role. I love seeing how much kids grow and change through normal well-child checkups and empowering parents to care for sick children.Outside of work, my family and I love to travel and be anywhere on the water. Our children are older now, so I have been through all the parenting stages (the great and the not-so-good!). I am always happy to talk about the joys and challenges of raising kids.

Brandi Samson is a Nurse Practitioner in Belton, Missouri. Her top areas of expertise are ALK-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Febrile Neutropenia, and Smoldering Multiple Myeloma. Ms. Samson is currently accepting new patients.

Jacquelynn Hays is a Nurse Practitioner in Belton, Missouri. Her top areas of expertise are ALK-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer, Febrile Neutropenia, and Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma (UTUC). Ms. Hays is currently accepting new patients.

Halie Hall is a Nurse Practitioner in Belton, Missouri. Her top areas of expertise are Febrile Neutropenia and ALK-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Ms. Hall is currently accepting new patients.

Moeid Riaz is a Nurse Practitioner in Belton, Missouri. His top area of expertise is ALK-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Mr. Riaz is currently accepting new patients.

Craigin Shimmens is a Nurse Practitioner in Belton, Missouri. Her top areas of expertise are Febrile Neutropenia and ALK-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Ms. Shimmens is currently accepting new patients.

Brenda Messer is a Nurse Practitioner in Belton, Missouri. Her top area of expertise is ALK-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Ms. Messer is currently accepting new patients.

Being a nurse is my destiny — and being a pediatric nurse practitioner is challenging, rewarding and inspiring. I was fortunate enough to find my home at Community Choice Pediatrics 15 years ago. I work daily with the smartest, most-caring providers and staff imaginable.I received my undergraduate degree in nursing from University of Central Missouri and my master’s degree from UMKC. Before coming to Community Choice Pediatrics, I worked at Children’s Mercy Hospital on the Infectious Disease Unit. I also worked at Egleston Children’s Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, and several other hospitals in the Kansas City area.My husband and I have three children who make us very proud and keep us very busy. I enjoy cooking, reading, and being outdoors with my family. Someday, I hope to have time to explore some new hobbies and visit all the national parks.I grew up in Lee’s Summit and care deeply about the families and children in my community. I realize that the healthcare needs of my patients are very individualized. I will strive to listen carefully to the needs and concerns of the families I serve, and I am committed to providing them with the quality care they deserve.

I chose pediatric medicine because I adore children and their resilience despite illness. I enjoy interacting with children and adolescents and hope to empower parents to play an integral role in diagnosing and treating their children.Keeping my patients physically and emotionally healthy as they grow, learn, and achieve is very rewarding. I am honored that parents trust me with their most prized possessions — their children — and feel privileged to be a part of my patients’ families.I joined Community Choice Pediatrics in February 2019. I received my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Avila University while playing collegiate volleyball. Before returning to graduate school, I worked at The University of Kansas Hospital in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit as a registered nurse. I obtained my Master of Science in Nursing/Pediatric Nurse Practitioner degree from Saint Louis University and am certified by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board.Outside of work, I enjoy traveling with my husband and young daughter, spending time with family and friends, and staying active.I look forward to meeting you!.

I’m a Kansas City native, born and raised in Overland Park, Kansas. I received my nursing degree from the University of Kansas. I was fortunate to start my nursing career working as a pediatric intensive care unit nurse at Children’s Mercy Hospital. I learned a great deal about courage and grace from the children and families I cared for.I earned a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where I specialized in pediatric primary care. I was thrilled to join the Community Choice Pediatrics team in the summer of 2019.There is not a moment I can pinpoint where I decided to go into nursing or pediatrics — it just truly never occurred to me to do anything else! I’m passionate about this profession for so many reasons. Children are hilarious, resilient and wise. They teach me something new every day. I enjoy developing relationships with parents, as we work together to support their kiddos’ health and well-being.In my free time, I enjoy cheering on the Chiefs and Jayhawks, spending time with my family and loving on my golden retriever, Rooney.I look forward to meeting you and caring for your child as they grow!.

Laura Mcdonald is a Nurse Practitioner in Lees Summit, Missouri. Ms. Mcdonald is highly rated in 2 conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Schizoaffective Disorder, Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF), and Protein Deficiency.

Gretchen Fink is a Nurse Practitioner in Lees Summit, Missouri. Ms. Fink is highly rated in 2 conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Schizoaffective Disorder, and Urea Cycle Disorders (UCD). Ms. Fink is currently accepting new patients.

Nancy Todd is a Nurse Practitioner in Kansas City, Missouri. Ms. Todd is highly rated in 2 conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Liver Failure, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), and Gallbladder Disease.

Charie Stoffel is a Nurse Practitioner in Lees Summit, Missouri. Ms. Stoffel is highly rated in 1 condition, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF), Protein Deficiency, Saddle Pulmonary Embolism, and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Ms. Stoffel is currently accepting new patients.