Nursing Excellence: Marika C. Highberger Named a Houston Chronicle Top 15 Nurse of the Year

Marika C. Highberger, APRN, MSN, CPNP, has been named one of the Houston Chronicle’s Top 15 Nurses of the Year. Selected by an expert panel from thousands of nominees across Greater Houston, the honor recognizes sustained clinical excellence and leadership in patient care.

Highberger’s recognition reflects her role caring for children with cancer or serious blood disorders, including her work in the Center’s Urgent Care Bay—a dedicated outpatient setting within the Hematology‑Oncology Clinic designed for established patients who need same‑day, urgent evaluation. By allowing children to be seen by oncology‑trained providers outside the emergency department, the model supports timely care while reducing exposure risks for immunocompromised patients.

In her Houston Chronicle Salute to Nurses profile, Highberger emphasized the importance of providing steady, informed guidance when decisions need to be made quickly. That approach is reflected in her daily practice, where families are supported through urgent visits and guided through clear next steps, including pathways for hospital admission or higher‑level care when needed.

The Chronicle’s Top 15 Nurses distinction highlights professionals whose work reflects sustained clinical expertise and leadership in patient care. Highberger’s contributions underscore the essential role nurses and nurse practitioners play in advancing safety, coordination, and continuity for children and families navigating serious illness.

Read the full Houston Chronicle article: The Houston Chronicle salutes its Top 15 Nurses 2026
Learn more about the Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Urgent Care Bay
View Marika Highberger's TXCH profile here