Niki Shimko has been a leader of the pediatric neonatal transport team for over 13 years and has over 25 years of professional nursing experience.   She received her BSN from Syracuse University and MSN from Walden University.  Niki’s responsibilities include overseeing all aspects of the team development: administration, research, clinical, education, performance improvement, and ongoing evaluation.   

In 2019, the strategic plan to regionalize perinatal care in the area brought on new challenges for the transport team, creating the development and implementation of the high-risk maternal transport team. In April 2022, Niki implemented the STARS program in Lee County, quickly expanding to the surrounding counties which further extends the information regarding the care of special needs children to first responders.

Niki is the current President of the Florida Neonatal Pediatric Transport Network Association and a board member of the Florida Association of Critical Care Transport Specialists.  In this role she has enhanced the state-wide disaster response for neonatal and pediatric patients.  She was instrumental in spearheading the evacuation of Golisano Children’s Hospital post-Hurricane Ian.

She is also a Florida EMS for Children advisory council committee member,  Executive Committee Member of the National Pediatric Disaster Coalition, and the Pediatric Clinical Advisor for the Southwest Florida Health Care Coalition.  She has presented on topics that include the development of the maternal transport team, pediatric special needs, and hurricane evacuation.