Akron Children’s is proud to announce the 2025 recipients of the APP awards, honoring outstanding advanced practice providers (APPs) for their dedication, leadership and exceptional contributions to patient care. The year, Allison Lantz, MSN, APRN-CNP, School-Based Health, was recognized with the award for Excellence in Practice. Daniel Goldstein, MD, pediatric anesthesiologist, was named Outstanding Physician for APP Advocacy.
Allison Lantz
Allison joined Akron Children’s as a float nurse in 2008. In 2015, she transitioned to a nurse practitioner and now works in the School-Based Health Center in Warren City Schools.
“I get to bring primary care right to students in school, handling everything from well visits to sick visits and everything in between,” she said. “I provide yearly education to freshmen, and in 2023, I started Akron Children’s first Youth Advisory Council to give students a voice in their health and wellness.”
Allison’s nomination form offers an example of her devotion to her students.
“During a routine well exam, Allison found a teenager to have high blood pressure readings. She quickly identified areas of concern and set the patient up with the necessary appointments,” said Melody Strait, community health worker and one of Allison’s nominators. “She has continued to ensure the patient has been following up with cardiology and with nephrology as needed for his hypertension.”
Allison said working with kids and families is the best part of her job.
“I love helping them feel better, so they can get back to being kids,” she said. “Being in the school means I get to help students who might not otherwise have easy access to health care, and that feels really meaningful.”
“Allison has built a School-Based Asthma Treatment Program from the ground up for Warren City Schools,” said Ashlea Hyde, school-based medical assistant and Allison’s other nominator. “She began with only 6 children enrolled in the program during the first year. Now in her second year, she has over 20 children across 5 schools.”
When Allison decided to become an APP, she saw it as an opportunity to combine her holistic nursing background with the opportunity to help parents navigate raising kids in an ever-changing health care world.
“I wanted to be the kind of provider parents felt truly heard by, especially when they’re making decisions for their children’s health,” she said. “Also, my own kids appreciate that I’m home for dinner now (since my hours are more routine).”
Allison said it’s an honor to be recognized for doing work she loves.
“This award is a reminder that even on the tough days, the small moments of helping a child feel better or supporting a family truly matter — and that’s what keeps me going,” she said.
Dr. Daniel Goldstein
Daniel Goldstein, MD
When Dr. Daniel Goldstein joined Akron Children’s as a pediatric anesthesiologist in 2020, he was continuing more than just a career — he was honoring a family legacy. The third generation in a line of anesthesiologists, Dr. Goldstein proudly follows in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. Today, he balances his clinical work with leadership roles as medical director of the Beachwood Surgery Center and Opioid Stewardship director for the hospital, helping to shape safe, effective care for kids and families across the region.
“My father is my greatest inspiration for pursuing a career in medicine. Growing up, I witnessed countless moments when people would stop him in public to thank him for caring for them or their loved ones,” said Dr. Goldstein. “His ability to impact lives during such vulnerable times — and the humility with which he approached each patient as if they were family — left a lasting impression on me.”
According to Amy Berardinelli, senior clinical nurse manager and Dr. Goldstein’s nominator, he played a key role in the successful opening of the Beachwood Outpatient Surgery Center through strong leadership and collaboration with both Perioperative Home APPs and surgeons.
“He helped ensure the center was equipped to deliver high-quality care from day one,” Amy said. “To increase patient volumes and streamline operations, he organized meetings between surgeons and APPs to coordinate pre-anesthesia appointments, ensuring all necessary assessments were completed before surgery.”
Dr. Goldstein provides continuous support to APPs by being readily available for real-time consultations.
“Whether reviewing patient history or assessing surgical eligibility, he ensures APPs have the necessary information to make informed decisions,” Amy added. “His guidance, especially regarding patients with comorbidities or complex medical histories, reinforces the APPs’ confidence and clinical decision-making skills.”
Dr. Goldstein said meeting kids at moments when they are anxious or afraid, and having the opportunity to bring comfort — whether through a silly joke, a funny voice, or simply a calming presence — is a powerful reminder of the privilege it is to care for kids. And he says he would truly be lost without the help of the APPs.
“Their expertise, compassion and teamwork are essential to the high-quality care we provide,” he said. “From pre-op to post-op, from inpatient to outpatient care, they ensure continuity, connect with patients and families and strengthen every part of the care team.
“This recognition reflects the strong collaboration and mutual respect between physicians and APPs,” he added. “It’s not just my award — it represents the success we’ve built together. My goal has always been to support and elevate those around me, and I’m honored to advocate for such an exceptional group of professionals.”
