The Advanced Practice Center at Akron Children’s recently added a new leadership model that expands clinical leadership across teams. The APP supervisor role was developed to support a stronger, more intentional clinician-to-clinician reporting structure across all specialties and settings.
“This model was created to strengthen communication, accountability and collaboration across Akron Children’s,” said Jenny Michel, director of the advanced practice center. “It establishes a clear clinical reporting line that supports professional development, clinical oversight and high-quality care.”
Learn more about APP supervisors below as they excitedly step into their new roles and focus on collaboration with their teams. **
Danielle Freeman, APRN-CNP; Jacob Sisko, PA-C; Katie Nduati, APRN-CNP; Mary George, MSN, APRN-CNP; Sam Olsen, MSN, APRN-PMHNP; and Stephanie Mullin, APRN-CNP are excited to step into their new roles.
Danielle Freeman, APRN-CNP, Neurology
Outside of work, Danielle enjoys spending time with her 2 dogs and is excited to welcome her first child in February. She has worked at Akron Children’s for 8 years.
Q. What skills have you developed to help you step into the supervisor role?
A. I started as the APP supervisor of Neurology in January 2026 and have been excited to step into this role. Everyone has been very welcoming, and I have been able to connect with many departments.
Q. How would you describe your leadership style as a supervisor?
A. I would describe my leadership style as collaborative. It is important for leadership and APP team members to collaborate.
Q. Have you been given any advice that you lead by?
A. Lead by example, every member of the team is important and necessary.
Jake Sisko, PA-C, Neurodevelopmental Science
Jake has worked in pediatric neurosurgery at Akron Children’s for 11 years. When he is not working, he enjoys reading books and spending time outdoors camping or hiking. Jake also likes to spend time with his wife and 3 daughters and play many board games together.
Q. What skills have you developed to help you step into the supervisor role?
A. Becoming a leader is the culmination of a lifetime of observation, learning and patience. Every situation requires different skills and different approaches. I think having 1-on-1 conversations are very important to assure everyone is being heard.
Q. How do you balance clinical expertise with administrative responsibilities?
A. I utilize time management, staying organized, prioritization and delegation to complete the roles and responsibilities of each.
Q. Have you been given any advice that you lead by?
A. “Seek perfection of character, be faithful, endeavor to excel and respect others.” Taken from the Doshi where my daughter does karate, this simple but powerful message is something I lead by. I want my team to feel comfortable in talking to me about anything. I believe a supervisor is only as good as their team, and the team is a reflection of their leader.
Mary George, MSN, APRN-CNP, Allergy and Immunology
Mary started her career in pediatrics at Akron Children’s in 2001. A fun fact about Mary is her love for gardening. She also feeds many hummingbirds around her house in the summer. Mary enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 great Danes, Dax and Huck.
Q. What skills have you developed to help you step into the supervisor role?
A. Mentoring and education are very important to me. I’ve been an adjunct clinical professor at The University of Akron since 2006. Increasing my participation in leadership has required me to shift from an individual clinical perspective to one that represents and advocates for our entire APP group, which has been very meaningful.
Q. How do you balance clinical expertise with administrative responsibilities?
A. I balance these responsibilities by being fully present in each role to create a natural and effective crossover. When I am with patients and their families, my focus remains solely on patient care. At the leadership level, I work within a team of clinical and nonclinical members,
Q. How would you describe your leadership style as a supervisor?
A. I would describe my leadership style as collaborative and flexible. I recognize that different approaches can lead to equally strong outcomes, so I value open communication and aim to create an environment where team members feel heard. I see my role as speaking with my team rather than for them, while empowering them to succeed.
Katie Nduati, APRN-CNP, Care Center
In July 2026, Katie will be celebrating her 10th year at Akron Children’s. She enjoys reading historical fiction novels and spending time with her husband, 3 kids and 2 dogs.
Q. What skills have you developed to help you step into the supervisor role?
A. My focus with my colleagues has always been on relationship first. You need to get to know the person they are so that there is a mutual trust that develops. I have been consistent in being approachable and available – and those 2 aspects of who I am will help me to lead my group.
Q. How do you balance clinical expertise with administrative responsibilities?
A. Although I am new to this role, I have already realized that organization is key. I plan to be very intentional with the time I set aside for these administrative responsibilities. My clinical expertise gives me the confidence to branch out and challenge myself in this new role.
Q. Have you been given any advice that you lead by?
A. The focus as a leader should always be on listening. “Listen first, speak last,” is a phrase I lead by.
Stephanie Mullin, APRN-CNP, Gastroenterology
In her free time, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her 2 boys, 2 dogs and traveling. Her most notable family travel being exploring Switzerland. Photography and hiking are also 2 of her favorite hobbies. Stephanie is excited for the opportunity to experience leadership in this new role.
Q. What skills have you developed to help you step into the supervisor role?
A. I have been very pleased with the level of training and preparation Akron Children’s has given me in order to be successful in this new role. I have been impressed with the richness of content and the administrative effort in creating and developing a valuable training program. My goal will be to create a sense of cohesiveness and collaboration among all members to support a remote team spread across multiple clinical locations.
Q. How would you describe your leadership style as a supervisor?
A. I am still learning what my style is, but I enjoy being a mentor. I plan to focus on development and to provide constructive and helpful feedback. I hope to assist other APPs to reach their potential skillfully while also having good job satisfaction.
Q. Have you been given any advice that you lead by?
A. I see success in this role as having the members of our team practicing at the highest level possible while feeling supported across the organization. Dr. Reinaldo Garcia, division chief, demonstrates leading by example often. I find this quality most admirable and hope to extend this philosophy within this new role.
Sam Olsen, MSN, APRN-PMHNP, Behavioral Health
Outside of work, Sam loves to stay active, playing volleyball with his wife and soccer on the weekends. He also has many foster dogs that are a big part of their lives. Sam’s fun fact is that he has a small hobby farm with chickens, goats and sheep!
Q. What skills have you developed to help you step into the supervisor role?
A. The 3 skills that have translated to success for me are communication, to create an environment where people feel heard; self-awareness, to know when to ask for guidance; and optimism, because it is contagious!
Q. How do you balance clinical expertise with administrative responsibilities?
A. I am so fortunate to be surrounded by such an experienced and generous team. From the other APPs to psychiatrists, psychologists and therapists, I feel like I am always learning something new and challenge my team to do the same. Additionally, I love to immerse myself in the clinical aspect of my job.
Q. How would you describe your leadership style as a supervisor?
A. I try to create an environment where people feel comfortable bringing forward their ideas, knowing I am here to advocate for them and cheer them on. I try to lead with kindness in every interaction. My goal is always to help our team do its best work for our patients while feeling valued, encouraged and connected to our shared purpose.
Jenny Michel, director of advance practice recently shared something that resonated with me: “Where’s the gift?” Even when a situation isn’t ideal, there is always something to be grateful for: a teaching moment, a chance to connect with someone new or an unexpected opportunity to see someone rise to a challenge.
*Additionally, Jessica St Aubin (PA-C, Radiology) serves as a supervisor and was unavailable for comment.
**Note: Many of our existing APP Leads also transitioned into the new APP Supervisor role. While the individuals highlighted in this article are newly appointed supervisors—dedicated in unit-specific areas that did not previously have APP leadership—they are not the only APP Supervisors across the organization.
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Learn more about Akron Children’s Advanced Practice Center!
