Inspired by a nurse who cared for her father during his serious illness, Kristen pursued a career in healthcare that led her to become a nurse practitioner dedicated to caring for children with complex medical needs.

That “magic” is why Kristen continues to refer. “As medical professionals, when we refer a child, we get to be part of that wish experience,” she said. She loves to watch her patients brainstorm potential wish ideas that bring them joy. “Families get to rediscover what makes their child laugh and what they truly love, outside of the routine of medical appointments and procedures.” 

Kristen acknowledges the heavy burden providers face such as endless charting, prior authorizations, and the constant weight of clinical care. But she insists that referring a child for a wish does not have to be daunting. “Referrals do not take much time, less than 15 minutes a week for me,” she said. “If you make it part of your routine, that one extra step adds so much value to your relationship with families.” 

She even built a workflow at CRS to make referrals part of everyday practice. Kristen added eligibility considerations at the top of every patient chart. “I took one second to think about every single child’s eligibility. That split-second change captured so many more children,” Kristen explained.

One patient Kristen will never forget was a young boy she first met during the pandemic. Pre-screening had shown he was eligible for a wish, so Kristen gently brought it up. “The second I mentioned it, he lit up,” she recalled. “Other kids at his kidney camp had been nominated for a wish, but no one had ever referred him. He thought everyone had forgotten about him.” That referral led to his wish being granted, and Kristen saw firsthand how a simple conversation could change a child’s life.  

Kristen believes deeply that “wishes are good medicine.” As she describes it, “It is not a treatment, not a hospitalization, but it heals emotionally. It gives a new sense of laughter and joy that takes care of the inner child, not just the diagnosis.” 

She has witnessed families become more engaged in treatment, more consistent with appointments, and more connected with their care teams after a wish. “It builds trust,” she said. “Families feel seen, not just for their child’s condition, but for who their child is.” 

For Kristen, being honored as Make-A-Wish Arizona’s first Pediatric Partner Award recipient is a proud moment.  “It is always humbling to know your hard work is seen, but the real impact goes beyond me,” she reflected.

Now, as Kristen begins a new role at Phoenix Children’s, she is eager to continue her advocacy work with Make-A-Wish. She sees her transition not as an ending, but as an opportunity to reach even more families. “It is about building systems that capture more children and ensure they do not get overlooked. To that one child, that one family, the referral makes all the difference.”  

Kristen’s story reminds us every referral is the essential first step in granting a life-changing wish.