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About Us

Children’s Nebraska is the only full-service, pediatric hospital and medical center in Nebraska, providing expertise in more than 50 pediatric specialty services to children across a five-state region and beyond.

Our Story

Since 1948, Children’s Nebraska has been a beacon of hope and healing for children and families – a place to feel better, get answers and beat the odds. Our people are united around a singular mission: To improve the life of every child.

This powerful purpose is our “why.” It drives us to provide exceptional care, advocacy, research and education – with children at the center of everything we do.

We believe every child deserves the best pediatric care. They deserve the specialized services we uniquely offer as the region’s pediatric healthcare leader and the state’s only hospital dedicated exclusively to children.

Our commitment to delivering the best outcomes and experiences for all children inspires our team to embrace Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect and Excellence – our ICARE values.

Our mission guides us to meet the growing needs of children and shape the future of pediatric healthcare. It anchors strategic work to:

  • Lead the way in safety, quality and exceptional experience

  • Champion the needs and welfare of children

  • Improve the health and wellbeing of children through discovery and innovation

  • Train and develop the pediatric healthcare workforce

  • Foster an environment where individuals, teams and our organization will grow and thrive

Our amazing people power this meaningful work, collaborating with families and community partners to help children lead healthy lives. They are life-changers, child health champions and our greatest ambassadors.

That’s why we foster a culture that puts people first, ensuring each team member feels purpose, joy, wellbeing, growth and belonging at Children’s. By taking care of our team, we can provide the best care and experiences for families.

Together, we are Children’s Nebraska – improving the lives of children and creating a brighter, healthier future for the families and communities we serve.

Our Senior Executives

Chanda Chacón

Chanda Chacón

President & Chief Executive Officer

Chanda Chacón, MPH, FACHE, has devoted her career to pediatric health care, focused on ensuring patients receive safe, high quality, family-centered care, while strengthening organizations and growing programs of excellence.
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Janel Allen

Janel Allen

Executive Vice President & Chief People Officer

Kathy English

Kathy English

Executive Vice President & Chief Operations Officer

Amy Hatcher

Amy Hatcher

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Christopher Maloney, M.D., Ph.D.

Christopher Maloney, MD, PhD

Executive Vice President, Chief Quality & Clinical Transformation Officer, Physician-in-Chief

Jerry Vuchak

Jerry Vuchak

Executive Vice President, Chief Information & Innovation Officer

Amy Bones

Amy Bones, JD

Senior Vice President & General Counsel

Beth Greiner

Beth Greiner

Senior Vice President & Executive Director, Children’s Foundation

Pam Johnson-Carlson

Pam Johnson-Carlson

Senior Vice President, Patient Care Services & Chief Nursing Officer

Renee Rafferty

Renee Rafferty

Senior Vice President, Behavioral Health & Wellness

Kari Simonsen, M.D.

Kari Simonsen, MD

Senior Vice President & Pediatrician-in-Chief

Alan Tingley, M.D

Alan Tingley, MD

Senior Vice President, Practice Plans

Abdalla Zarroug, M.D.

Abdalla Zarroug, MD

Senior Vice President & Surgeon-in-Chief