Our Team
Lauren Broucek, APN, FNP-BC
Lauren is an Adult Nurse Practitioner supporting the outpatient vascular surgery team. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Grand Valley State University and Masters of Science in Nursing from Northern Illinois University. A fun fact about Lauren: she went to college on an athletic scholarship for softball and was a pitcher for 12 years.
Katy Carey, MSN, APN
Katy is an Adult Nurse Practitioner who supports the inpatient vascular surgery team. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from ISU and Masters of Science in Nursing from University of Illinois at Chicago. Her current interests include astrology/astronomy.
Kara Easton, MSN, APN
Kara Easton, MSN, APRN, is an Adult Nurse Practitioner with the Vascular Surgery team at Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital. She earned her BSN from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and her MSN from North Park University, building extensive experience as an operating room nurse, nurse clinician, and vascular surgery nurse before joining Northwestern Medicine. Kara provides inpatient and outpatient care for patients with a wide range of vascular conditions and also specializes in sclerotherapy treatments.
Rita Herm-Barabasz, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC
Rita is an Adult Nurse Practitioner who supports the inpatient vascular surgery team. She earned multiple nursing degrees and certifications, including a Doctor of Nursing Practice, and joined Northwestern after working with a private GI/Biliary specialist before returning to surgical services. Rita has been a dedicated member of the vascular surgery team, providing expert inpatient care as one of the division’s nurse practitioners.
Kevin J. Lapp, PA-C
Kevin is a Physician Assistant who supports the inpatient vascular surgery team. He received his bachelor's degree in molecular and cellular biology from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and his master's of Medical Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Dominican University. Kevin enjoys cycling around the Chicagoland area and in 2023 he rode his bike across Iowa.
Matt Meador, MSN, APN
Matt is an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner supporting the outpatient vascular surgery clinic. He received his Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Masters of Science in Nursing from University of Illinois at Chicago.
Rebekkah Sobolewski, MSN, APN
Rebekkah is an Adult Nurse Practitioner supporting the inpatient vascular surgery team. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Marquette University and Masters of Science in Nursing from University of Illinois at Chicago. Her interests include spending time outdoors with her husband and three kids.