About Healing Hearts Pediatrics

Dr McKenna is a board member of the Arizona Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, chair of The Access to Care Committee, and Medical Director of the Medical Services Project . She serves as Vice President for the Department of Pediatrics at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center.

Through advocacy ,  testifying at the State Capitol as well as in the greater medical community at large, her leadership helped unfreeze KidsCare in April, which has provided healthcare coverage for 30-40,000 previously uninsured children. She was awarded the 2016 Kevin Keogh Community Service Award. She is recognized nationally and locally with the 2016 American Academy of Pediatrics,Special Achievement Award as well as the 2016 Arizona Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Achievement Award for her work in advocating for children in Arizona.

Dr. McKenna is happily married with three children and one grandson. She enjoys spending time with her family, riding her horse, skiing and playing golf.

Dr. Khurana, co-founder of Healing Hearts Pediatrics, P.L.C., received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, and also attended medical school at the University of Arizona Medical School in Tucson, Arizona. After completing her Pediatric Residency at Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Maricopa Medical Center in 2003, she began practicing medicine as a general pediatrician in private practice. Dr. Khurana is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Happily married with two daughters, Dr. Khurana also enjoys volunteering at the Chandler Free Clinic, dancing, listening to music, and spending time outdoors.

Dr. Romero received her Bachelor of Science at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, and attended medical school at the University of Arizona Medical School in Tucson, Arizona. After completing her Pediatric Residency at Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Maricopa Medical Center in 2003, she began practicing medicine as a general pediatrician in private practice.

Dr. Romero is Board Certified in Pediatrics and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Dr. Romero is married and has one son and loves spending time with her family.

Nichole Yniguez , CPNP, received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from St. Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri, and her Masters of Science in Nursing, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, in Kansas City, Missouri. She has been a pediatric nurse at hospitals in Missouri and Arizona since 1999.

Nurse Practitioner Nikki is Board Certified in Pediatrics and is a member of the National Association of Nurses and Practitioners. Married with two young boys, Nurse Practitioner Nikki enjoys music, traveling, good food, and spending time with her family.

I was born in New Rochelle, NY and grew up in western New York. I got my bachelors degree in biochemistry at the University at Buffalo. I went to Albany Medical College and did my pediatric internship and residency at Children’s Hospital of Buffalo. From there, I joined MACONY Pediatrics in Great Barrington nestled in the bucolic Berkshires of western Massachusetts. I covered a community hospital in town which was the second smallest hospital in Massachusetts.

After 27 years of New England winters, my wife and I moved to the Valley of the Sun and settled in Chandler. I have 3 terrific sons and 3 wonderful grandsons. In July 2016, I had the good fortune of becoming a part of Healing Hearts Pediatrics. I enjoy hiking, biking and being outdoors. I also have a deep appreciation for American history.

I am from a small town in northern Arizona. I attended Arizona State University for my undergraduate in biology. I attended AT Still University in Mesa, AZ for Physician Assistant School. As an Arizona native, I have loved Phoenix since I moved here to attend ASU. I met my wonderful husband at ASU and we have two beautiful children. I love working in pediatrics and being a part of the families we treat. I take great pride in my work, and love helping others. I also enjoy being outdoors, hiking and being with my family.

Natalie Larson is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Certified Lactation Specialist. Natalie was raised in Arizona and completed a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Family Studies at Arizona State University. She continued her education at Columbia University School of Nursing in New York City where she completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Prior to joining Healing Hearts Pediatrics, Natalie worked as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in Queens, New York and in St Thomas, USVI. She has worked with many different cultures including a largely minority and underserved community. Natalie is committed to improving the health of children and their families through extensive patient and family education, and supports natural remedies and a healthy lifestyle to optimize disease prevention. In New York, Natalie also served as an instructor in Clinical Nursing at Columbia University, further exemplifying her desire and passion for teaching. Additionally, Natalie has a publication on Early Onset Scoliosis and started a newspaper series in St Thomas, USVI, entitled Healthy Tips for a Healthy Lifestyle. Natalie enjoys traveling, being outdoors, hiking, and enjoying time with friends and family. Natalie is competent in medical Spanish and can be seen at Healing Hearts Pediatrics where she offers the following services: -Complete medical care for children of all ages — newborns to adolescents -Preventive medical care with focus on anticipatory guidance -Routine physical exams for school and athletics -Breastfeeding support.

I grew up in North Dakota, enjoying cross country skiing in the winter and hiking or biking through the North Dakota Badlands during the summer. I attended the University of North Dakota for undergraduate, graduate and medical school then decided to move to warmer climate for residency. I chose St. Louis University where I completed four year combined internal medicine/pediatric residency, and served an additional year as Pediatric Chief Resident at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital associated with St. Louis University. I served as a hospitalist for my first 2 years following residency, but then was offered to take over a pediatric practice owned by Cardinal Glennon for the next 14 years. I loved living in St. Louis, and spent a lot of time exploring the lakes and the Ozark Mountains in the region. I lived in the old historic area of the city and rehabbed two old homes, the first built in 1905, the second in 1895. St. Louis is notorious for its ice storms in the winter, and after so many years, I decided it was time to move to the south. I chose to follow other family members and moved to Phoenix in 2009. After working at a few other practices that I just wasn’t content with, I joined Healing Hearts Pediatrics in mid- December, 2016. I am very pleased with the warm, nurturing attitude of Healing Hearts, and plan to spend the remainder of my career here. I look forward to the pleasure of leading your family towards good health and happiness.