- DONATE
- News
- Events
- About Us
Danielle Workman, NREMT, CFC, has been with Children’s Mercy for seven years and is currently an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) on the Critical Care Transport team.
Danielle is a strong leader, excellent communicator in always keeping her team informed of the latest developments in the field, and her passion for her position is evident in her dedication to the job. She is exceptional at taking care of pediatric and neonatal transports, has an innate ability to remain calm under pressure, and her professionalism is admirable.
Danielle will be attending the University of Central Missouri in pursuit of a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing.
David Kemper, BHS, RRT, RRT-NPS, C-NPT, has been with Children’s Mercy for six years and is currently a Respiratory Therapist on the Critical Care Transport team.
David has conducted podium presentations on pediatric respiratory care and the TXP- 2D high-frequency transport ventilator, along with hands-0n training. He served as President for the Missouri Society for Respiratory Care, and an Item Writer (Therapist Multiple Choice and Neonatal Pediatric Specialty Exams) for the National Board for Respiratory Care. He is a member of the Peer Support Program, helping to ensure the mental wellbeing and provide support to his c0-workers. He has been working with the University of Missouri team on the possibility of implementing a peer support program for their transport team members.
David is attending the University of Missouri in pursuit of a Master’s degree in Health Sciences & Clinical Diagnostic Sciences with an Emphasis in Respiratory Care.
David Kemper, BHS, RRT, RRT-NPS, C-NPT, has been with Children’s Mercy for five years and is currently a Respiratory Therapist on the Critical Care Transport team.
David has conducted podium presentations on pediatric respiratory care and the TXP-2D high-frequency transport ventilator, along with hands-0n training. He served as President for the Missouri Society for Respiratory Care, and an Item Writer (Therapist Multiple Choice and Neonatal Pediatric Specialty Exams) for the National Board for Respiratory Care.
David is attending the University of Missouri in pursuit of a Master’s degree in Health Sciences, Emphasis in Respiratory Care.
“I’ve always had a love for neonatal/pediatric respiratory care and critical care transport. I’ve dedicated by entire career (10+years) to both of these fields.
-David Kemper
Laura Bixenman, NREMT, has been with Children’s Mercy for 5 years and is currently an Emergency Medical Technician on the Critical Care Transport team.
Laura participates in Critical Care Transport activities within the city, to include school career fairs, city parades, and family days at Deanna Rose Farmstead. She assists in scheduling and participating in their Peer Support Program which is a group of Transport staff members who have participated in training to assist fellow members with difficult situations they may encounter.
Laura is currently attending the Respiratory Care Program at Johnson County Community College in pursuit of a degree in Respiratory Therapy.
“My career goal is to complete Respiratory Therapy school while continuing to work in the Critical Care Transport Department. Upon completion I will try to move on to the NICU and/or PICU to obtain the necessary knowledge and skills to return back to the Transport Department.”
-Laura Bixenman
Jennifer Worley, BHS, RRT, RRT-NPS, C-NPT, has been with Children’s Mercy for six years and is currently a Respiratory Therapist on the Critical Care Transport team.
Jennifer is a Co-chair of the Critical Care Transport Unit Council which works to provide support to the entire transport team with team building and morale boosting. They have also organized fundraisers for the Alyssa Lane Hutchens Critical Care Transport Scholarship. Jennifer is an NRP instructor and enjoys the ability to interact with individuals at the hospital and in outlying areas. She is working towards being a member of their Peer Support Team within the department when it becomes established.
Jennifer is currently attending Grand Canyon University in pursuit of a Master’s degree of Science in Leadership.
“I am hopeful to pursue a career in leadership at Children’s Mercy. I would like to be involved as an educator to the Critical Care Transport Department because that is where I feel there is the most reward. Our team is unique and with that comes the responsibility of providing current best practice evidence based care to all the patients that we see. This demands rigorous continuing education of all disciplines and strong management of this education.”
-Jennifer Worley
Amy Leonard, RRT, C-NPT, has been with Children’s Mercy for 11 years and is currently a Respiratory Therapist on the Critical Care Transport team.
Amy is an active member of Unit Council and the QA/QI committees. She assisted in research which was published concerning neonatal temperature control during transport. She serves as a Relief Shift Coordinator and has assisted in the orientation of new employees. Amy is passionate about providing exemplary care to her patients.
Amy, along with a friend, created a benefit carnival in 2013 after their close friend’s daughter was diagnosed with a Congenital Heart Defect, unfortunately she passed away in 2014. However, this has not kept Amy from continuing the benefit in her hometown where they sponsor a family who has a critically ill child.
Amy is currently attending the University of Kansas Medical Center in pursuit of a Bachelor’s degree in Respiratory Therapy.
“My overall goal is to increase my professional knowledge and training specialized in Critical Care Transport. After earning my Bachelor’s degree, I want to apply for a primary Shift Coordinator position when one becomes available.”
-Amy Leonard
Jennifer Pannullo, RRT-NPS, has been with Children’s Mercy for nine and a half years and is currently a Shift Coordinator for Registered Respiratory Therapists on the Critical Care Transport team.
Jennifer is currently on the Transport Quality and Safety committee and manages multiple projects to improve the quality of care they provide to their patients. She continues to care for patients on helicopter, ambulance and airplane transports. She has transported over 1,000 neonatal and pediatric patients on the Transport team.
Jennifer is a wonderful preceptor, mentor and resource for those around her. She advocates for her patients, her partner, her team, and her department in a way many wouldn’t be able to find the courage to do. Jenifer is driven, motivated, and works hard to set goals she can not only accomplish but are completed to the fullest extent of her ability.
Jennifer is currently attending Western Governors University in pursuit of a Master’s degree in Health Care Management.
“I want to use this degree to become a manager or director. My passion is to help people either physically or emotionally and make a positive impact in their lives.”
-Jennifer Pannullo
Olivia Jenkins, RRT-NPS, has been with Children’s Mercy for two and a half years and is currently a Respiratory Therapist on the Critical Care Transport team.
Olivia was named Rookie of the Year by her teammates. She worked with the Neonatal Medical Director and developed ventilation protocols for patients and her work was accepted at the 2017 American Academy of Pediatric Conference transport section as a poster presentation. Olivia formed a group to submit a project to the hospital Continuous Quality and Practice Improvement course to improve the success of intubation on transport. The project was accepted and now staff are working to make improvements to their intubation success rates. Olivia is involved in several professional organizations including leadership roles, serving as the President of the Missouri Society of Respiratory Care-District 4, and is currently a nominee for the American Association of Respiratory Care for Transport Section Chair.
Olivia is currently attending Webster University in pursuit of a Master’s degree in Health Care Administration.
“I would like to continue to do patient care at this time but slowly move into a leadership position. I am very interested in quality improvement and hope to advance my career in this area while focusing on patient care and safety. I have recently lead a CQPI group, done training sessions in quality improvement, and furthered by education outside of school for quality improvement/assurance. I hope to use this education to focus on improvement efforts for our patients and our department.”
-Olivia Jenkins
Christina (Christy) Dressler, RRT-NPS, C-NPT, CMTE has been with Children’s Mercy for more than 18 years and is currently the Assistant Director of Transport Operations. She has a vast knowledge of the transport industry and has transported thousands of critically ill children as a Transport Respiratory Therapist. In addition, she was previously the Safety Officer for Transport and was able to make a significant improvement on their team’s safety culture and program. She is viewed as a leader and expert in the EMS industry regionally and nationally. Two years ago, she became a Certified Medical Transport Executive. She is a strong advocate for Neonatal and Pediatric Transport and her staff members admire her hard work and dedication.
Christy’s community service and volunteer activities include participating in community outreach opportunities as a member of the Transport Team, displaying vehicles and providing information about Children’s Mercy and Critical Care Transport. She has volunteered at the KC Hospice House and completed a medical mission trip to Swaziland in Africa. She is a board member of the Missouri Air Ambulance Association. Christy is currently attending Park University in pursuit of a Masters degree in Health Administration.
“It is a privilege to work for a hospital and a department that transforms the lives of patients and families every day. As I have moved into a leadership role within the Transport Department, I have found it very fulfilling to now directly impact how our transport teams are providing care to the community while helping our staff grow in their careers and as individuals. As I continue with my schooling, my hope is to utilize the knowledge gained in my current role. Transport is my passion and I foresee myself remaining in a leadership role within the department.”
-Christy Dressler
