University Neurosurgery at Rush benefits from the skills and expertise of nurses with extensive experience in the care of neurosurgical patients.

Our nursing staff strives to provide excellent service to our patients offering constant communication throughout their clinical course.

To learn more about our nursing staff, please visit their bios listed below.

Candace Frazier, RN, BSN

Candace Frazier is a nurse clinician in University Neurosurgery. Candace received her bachelor of science in nursing in January 2004 from Saint Xavier University in Chicago. She has been apart of University Neurosurgery for four years and worked previously with the inpatient neurosurgical population at Rush.

Candace currently works primarily for Harel Deutsch, MD and John O'Toole, MD.

Robyn Mudro Flanders, RN, MS, CS-ACNP, CNRN

Robyn Mudro Flanders is expert in the field of neurosurgical nursing with over 20 years of experience. She has worked in many areas of neurosurgical nursing, including as a staff nurse in the intensive care unit, a head nurse, a clinical nurse specialist and her current position as a nurse practitioner and clinical manager of University Neurosurgery.

Robyn completed her Bachelor of Science in nursing at St. Xavier University and her Master of Science in nursing at University of Illinois at Chicago. She graduated with honors at both St. Xavier University and University of Illinois at Chicago. She achieved her post graduate certification as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program in 1997 from University of Illinois at Chicago. She holds the following certifications: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Certified Neuroscience RN (CNRN).

Robyn is an accomplished speaker and has presented nationally on areas related to neurosurgery and neurosurgical nursing. She is currently a member of the following professional organizations: Rush University Cancer Center, American Association of Critical Care, American Association of Neuroscience Nurses, Society of Critical Care Medicine and Sigma Theta Tau. She is involved in several clinical research projects related to evaluation and treatment of the neurosurgical patient.

Robyn currently works primarily with Richard Byrne, MD and Lorenzo Muñoz, MD.

Kiffon Keigher, RN, MSN, ACPN

Kiffon Keigher is a nurse practitioner with many years experience in neurosurgery and neuroscience nursing.  She has been at Rush University Medical Center since 2003. She worked for seven years as a neuroscience ICU nurse before starting her career as an advanced practiced nurse. She completed both her BSN and MSN degree at Rush University. She has certification as an acute care nurse practitioner. She also holds certifications as a CNRN (certified neuroscience RN) and CCRN (certified critical care RN). She is BLS, ACLS, PALS and NIHSS certified.

She is published in the journals of Endovascular Today. She is a member of the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses, American Association of Critical Care Nurses, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and Sigma Theta Tau.

Kiffon currently works primarily with Demetrius Lopes, MD.

Andrea Whedon, RN, MSN, FNP

Andrea is a nurse practitioner who has been at Rush University Medical Center for over five years. Throughout this time she has specialized in the post-operative management of neurosurgical and cardiovascular-thoracic patients in the inpatient setting. Her roles have included charge nurse and nurse preceptor which involved training new nurses to care for these patient populations. She received her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Northern Illinois University and Master of Nursing Science with certification as a family nurse practitioner from Rush University. Andrea is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, American College of Nurse Practitioners and American Association of Neuroscience Nursing.

Andrea currently works primarily with Harel Deutsch, MD and John O'Toole, MD.

Margaret Yesko, RN, MSN, ANP

Margaret is an accomplished nurse practitioner who has been at Rush University Medical Center for more than 10 years. She has extensive experience in both neurology and neurosurgery. She completed her bachelor of science in nursing at Marquette University and her master of science of nursing with certification as an adult nurse practitioner at Rush University.

She is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, American Association of Neuroscience Nurses and the American Academy of Neurology.

Margaret currently works primarily with Roy Bakay, MD and Vincent Traynelis, MD.

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