Staff

Janine Petitgout, RN, ARNP, Director
Janine has been with UI Children’s Hospital for over 18 years. During that time, she has worked in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, was the Assistant Nurse Manager for the Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, and was a nursing supervisor. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a Master's in Nursing and a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner certification. Janine was an integral part of the creation of the Continuity of Care Program in 2001 and is currently the Director of the program.

Karen Tack, RN, BSN, Nurse Clinician Specialist
In April 2008, Karen Tack joined the Continuity of Care Program as a Nurse Clinician Specialist. As Karen’s role in the Continuity of Care Program develops, she will assist in planning and providing for the needs of the children and their families in their transition from the hospital to their home. She also provides a phone follow-up after discharge to assist with their needs. Karen has more than 16 years of nursing experience, including care coordination for children receiving services via the Ill & Handicapped Waiver as well as Pediatric Home Health Care experience. Karen graduated from The University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Bob Freeman, LISW, Social Work
Bob is the Supervisor of the Center for Disabilities and Development’s (CDD) Social Services Department and manages a very dedicated and competent staff in the delivery of social services. He began working with the Continuity of Care Program in December 2006. Bob has been employed at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for 26 years. Throughout his career, Bob has been instrumental in developing a number of different services and effectively managing the changes that have allowed CDD to continue to meet the needs of Iowans with disabilities. Bob has always had a special interest in working with graduate trainees and over the course of his career has provided leadership and mentoring for dozens of future social workers. Bob graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a B.A. in Psychology and completed his Master’s degree in Social Work from The University of Iowa.

Kelly Nissen, LISW, Social Work
Kelly joined the Continuity of Care program in April 2007. Kelly has been employed with UI Hospitals and Clinics for the past 17 years, 13 of which were spent with the Center for Disabilities and Development. There she provided coverage to the inpatient unit and the Augmentative Communication Clinic. Kelly assisted in the development of the Theraplay Program at CDD, providing therapy services to children with developmental issues and behavioral disorders. She was the first certified Theraplay Therapist in Iowa in April 2002. She graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work and received her Master of Social Work degree at The University of Iowa.

Jim Porter, LISW, Social Work
Jim joined the Continuity of Care Program in August 2008 as the Neuromuscular/Neurology Care Coordinator. Jim has been employed at UI Hospitals and Clinics for almost 25 years, all of which have been as a social worker at the Center for Disabilities and Development. He received the Professional of the Year Award, 2008, from the Brain Injury Association of Iowa. Jim received both his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work and his Master of Social Work degree through The University of Iowa.

John Werner, LMSW, Social Work
John joined the Continuity of Care program in July 2008 as the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Care Coordinator. John began working in the Social Work Department at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in 1998. John began his work at the Center for Disabilities and Development, where he worked until transitioning to the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Service in 2004. John received his Masters of Social Work degree at The University of Iowa.

Ann Mason, RN, BSN, NICU Care Coordinator
Ann joined the Continuity of Care Program in November of 2007 as the NICU Care Coordinator after serving as a staff nurse in the NICU for 20 years. As the NICU Care Coordinator, Ann will focus on planning and providing for the needs of the babies and their families during the transition from the hospital to home. She also follows-up after discharge to assist with their needs. She is a graduate from The University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Sara English, Continuity of Care Secretary
Sara joined the Continuity of Care team in October 2007 after working in the Internal Medicine Compliance office. She has been with UI Hospitals and Clinics for seven years. Sara is enthusiastic about helping the team and program in many ways.