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A dream job turned impactful reality

headshot of Evelyn Fleider By Evelyn Fleider 513-5582996
4 minute read March 10, 2025

Danielle Garcia, DNP, CPHON, used to dream about working in pediatric hematology, oncology and bone marrow transplant for as long as she can remember. Earning her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing brought her closer to fulfilling her dream at a more influential level.  

“I have always been passionate about advancing my clinical skills and leadership abilities to make a meaningful impact on patient care,” Garcia says. “As a nurse, I’m committed to providing the best possible care and I felt that the DNP would empower me to do that on a higher level.”  

Dani Garcia and a colleague at Lurie Children’s Hospital.

Dani Garcia and a colleague at Lurie Children’s Hospital. Photo/Dani Garcia

After earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Michigan, Garcia worked for three years at the Lurie Children’s Hospital’s hematology, oncology and bone marrow transplant department, back in her native Chicago. A travel nursing position led her to Boston Children’s Hospital’s bone marrow transplant unit and to UCLA’s Health’s hematology, oncology and general pediatric area and, in 2023, she returned to Lurie—where she recently accepted a new position as a pediatric inpatient advanced practice provider for stem cell transplant patients.

When choosing where to pursue her terminal degree, Garcia relied on UC’s strong reputation for preparing nurse leaders who are not only clinically proficient but also skilled in healthcare systems and policy.

“The program’s emphasis on evidence-based practice and leadership development aligned well with my career goals,” she says. “Additionally, UC faculty members have a wealth of experience and are actively engaged in research, which I felt would provide invaluable mentorship and support.”

What Garcia did not expect as a takeaway from the DNP program was the realization of how much she is interested in research and evidence-based practice.

“Prior to everything I learned throughout my DNP, I thought I never had much interest in those areas, but I knew they were important. Once I found topics I truly cared for and wanted to change, I have been ecstatic and curious ever since.”

In February 2025, Garcia was invited to present her DNP project— A Structured Process for Initiating and Documenting Advanced Care Planning Discussions in Adolescent and Young Adult Stem Cell Transplant Patients—at the Tandem Meetings, which host combined meetings of the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT) and CIBMTR (Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research).

Dani Garcia at her UC graduation

Dani Garcia at her UC graduation. Photo/Dani Garcia

Chaired by Dr. Mandi Cafasso, associate professor, director of the DNP program and experienced pediatric nurse practitioner, Garcia’s quality improvement project aimed at developing a standardized process to facilitate advance care planning (ACP) discussions prior to stem cell infusion and encouraging uniform documentation of these conversations.  

“Stem cell transplants bring substantial risk of acute complications, and uncertainty regarding patients' goals and values results in confusion and distress during acute phases, when they cannot participate in decision-making,” says Garcia. “Clinicians often receive minimal formal training on how to conduct these crucial conversations with adolescent and young adult patients, who have more autonomy than younger patients.”

Data collected pre- and post-implementation of Garcia’s educational program suggest that structured communication training enhances both clinician preparedness and confidence regarding ACP discussions in the stem cell transplant setting, highlighting the benefits of standardizing conversational frameworks and documentation for ACP in adolescents and young adults undergoing stem cell transplant.

Featured image: Dani Garcia presenting her DNP project at the 2025 Tandem Meetings, in Waikiki, Hawaii. Photo/Dani Garcia

If you are also passionate about driving positive change in healthcare and improving patient outcomes, learn more about our DNP program.

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