Karina Agans
Nursing Trainee
Karina Agans is a bilingual registered nurse and doctor of nursing practice (DNP) student at Arizona State University, specializing in pediatric primary care. She has over eight years of pediatric nursing experience, including seven years in the emergency department at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, a Level 1 Trauma Center, where she served on the Trauma and Code Blue Teams.
Currently, Karina works in the Radiology Department at Phoenix Children’s, where she provides comprehensive nursing care for pediatric patients undergoing imaging procedures involving sedation or anesthesia. In this role, she collaborates closely with a multidisciplinary team to ensure safe, efficient and family-centered care.
Karina is certified in BLS, ACLS, PALS, ENPC and TNCC. She was honored as Phoenix Children’s ED Nurse of the Year in 2022 and nominated again in 2023 and 2024.
Katie Sellman
Social Work Trainee
Katie is in the ASU social work student master’s program. She grew up in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, and resides in Tucson. Katie enjoys traveling, coffee and watercolor. She is a cat mom and book enthusiast.
Katie completed her undergraduate degree in psychology at Grand Canyon University in 2019. She then spent the next six years working in behavioral health. Her experience includes inpatient psychiatric care for adults, outpatient case management and utilization review. Katie is interested in how health care works in the United States and remains driven in advocating for patients as a future social worker. Katie’s future goals include becoming a medical social worker or a care advocate for Medicaid.
Nha (Kelly) Ta
Pharmacy Trainee
My name is Nha (Kelly) Ta and I am a pediatric pharmacy resident at Banner – University Medical Center Tucson. I received my Bachelor of Science in neuroscience and behavioral biology from Emory University, followed by a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Georgia. I have a strong passion for pediatric care and I am committed to improving the health and well-being of children through compassionate, evidence-based practice.
Christina Tellez
Nutrition Trainee
My name is Christina Tellez, and I am 22 years old and from Tucson, Arizona. I graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science in nutrition and dietetics through the College of Agriculture. I am currently pursuing my master’s degree in applied nutrition with an emphasis in dietetics at the University of Arizona. My goal is to become a registered dietitian and use my passion for nutrition to help others improve their health and well-being.
Ian Trushell, MD
Pediatrics Pulmonary Fellow