Nursing Excellence: Six Cancer & Hematology Nurses Recognized Among Houston Chronicle’s Top 200

During Nurses’ Week, Texas Children’s Cancer & Hematology Center is proud to recognize six nurses who were named among the Houston Chronicle’s Top 200 Nurses in Houston, an honor celebrating nursing professionals across the region for their sustained impact on patient care.

The recognition is part of the Houston Chronicle’s Salute to Nurses program, which highlights nurses who demonstrate clinical excellence, leadership, and dedication across practice settings. This group of honorees reflects the depth and strength of the nursing team caring for children fighting cancer or serious blood disorders at Texas Children’s.

2025 Top 200 Nurse Honorees (pictured, L-R)

• Rhea Noval, RN, BSN, CPHON, 7WT/9WT Nurse Manager
• Vanessa Coronado, RN, Neuro‑Oncology Nurse Coordinator
• Tori Stovall, RN, Cancer Center Infusion Nurse, Woodlands Campus
• Marika Highberger, MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC, BMTCN, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Beacon Coordinator
  Also recognized as one of the Chronicle’s Top 15 Nurses. Learn more here
• Ashley Makara, BSN, RN, CPN, CPHON, 7WT/9WT Education Coordinator
• Michelle Nguyen, RN, Histiocytosis Nurse Coordinator

Together, these professionals represent a wide range of nursing roles across the Cancer & Hematology Center, which includes more than 300 nurses and nurse practitioners.

Excellence Across Care Settings

Each honoree contributes specialized expertise to highly complex care environments—from inpatient and outpatient units to infusion services, clinical education, and care coordination. Pediatric hematology‑oncology nursing requires exceptional clinical judgment, organization, communication, and resilience, alongside the ability to support children and families through prolonged and emotionally demanding treatment journeys.

The Houston Chronicle recognition highlights sustained excellence rather than a single moment, underscoring the long‑term impact these nurses have on patient safety, experience, and outcomes.

A Culture of Recognition and Collaboration

While six nurses were formally recognized, the honor reflects the collective strength of the full nursing team and its shared mission to deliver high‑quality, compassionate care to some of the most vulnerable pediatric patients.

We celebrate not only these six honorees, but all nurses whose expertise and dedication make a difference for children and families every day. We are also thankful for those who took the time to nominate and advocate for their colleagues.