OUR TEAM
West Des Moines
Dr. Vuong Nayima, D.O., Board-Certified
Dr. Nayima is trained in Internal Medicine and board-certified in Allergy/Immunology. Born in Viet Nam, Dr. Nayima moved to Des Moines as a child and graduated from Lincoln High School. Dr. Nayima studied Biology at the University of Iowa before attending Des Moines University for medical school. He completed the University of Iowa - Des Moines Internal Medicine Residency Program at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in 2014 and his Allergy/Immunology Fellowship at the University of Alabama-Birmingham in 2016. Dr. Nayima then returned to Des Moines and became Founder and President of Iowa Allergy in 2018.
Dr. Nayima is a big proponent of medical education and serves as adjunct faculty with the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics as well as adjunct assistant professor of Internal Medicine with Des Moines University. Dr. Nayima also provides lectures and preceptorships to medical students and Pediatric, Family Practice, and Internal Medicine residency programs in the metro area. He also provides lectures to organizations such as The American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians and Iowa Physician Assistant Society.
Dr. Nayima's medical interests include seasonal and year-round allergies, asthma, food allergy, drug allergy, and immune deficiency. Outside of work Dr. Nayima enjoys playing piano, photography, video games, troubleshooting IT hardware, biking and rock climbing with Sara, Lucy, Violet, and Jasper.
Patrick Thompson, ARNP, FNP-C
Patrick grew up on a small family farm in in Perry, Iowa. He is a graduate of Simpson College, where he obtained his undergraduate degree in Biology and played football.
Patrick entered the medical field as an EMT and progressed to an RN. While working in a family practice clinic, he continued his studies, and in 2021 received his Family Nurse Practitioner degree from Purdue University Global. Meeting new patients and creating individualized care plans through shared decision making are some of the reasons Patrick enjoys being a Nurse Practitioner.
In his spare time, Patrick enjoys fishing, jiu jitsu, being outdoors, spending time with friends and family, and rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs. He is excited to join Iowa Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology and is proud to work in a clinic with a great team atmosphere.
Abigail, Registered Nurse, BSN, Director of Nursing
Abigail is a native of Iowa. She graduated with an Associate’s degree in elementary education in 2010, followed by an undergraduate degree in Communication with an emphasis in Leadership in 2012. In 2014, she earned a Master’s Certificate in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health. Throughout her career, Abigail has held various positions in education and child development before earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Mercy College.
In September of 2021, Abigail joined the team at Iowa Allergy. Throughout her diverse career paths, one thing has remained constant: her passion for working with people and helping them live happy and healthy lives. Outside of work, Abigail enjoys watching football, attending live music performances, staying active outdoors, and embarking on various adventures with her family and friends.
Mykayla, Registered Nurse, BSN, Mixing Supervisor
Mykayla graduated with her Bachelor's degree in nursing in 2018 from the University of Iowa. She spent the first 2 years of her nursing career working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines. She joined Iowa Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology in April 2021. Mykayla loves being a part of such a close team of individuals whose main goal is patient centered care. She enjoys taking care of people of all ages and helping create positive outcomes for patients. In her free time, Mykayla likes to spend time with her husband, daughter, and her two fur babies, Chance and Mac. She also loves to go to concerts, try new breweries, and cheer on her Iowa Hawkeyes and Kansas City Chiefs!
Kayla, LPN, Assistant Director of Nursing
Kayla grew up in Indianola where she graduated from Indianola High School. She then went to Indian Hills Community College where she received her LPN in 2015. Kayla has been an LPN for almost 7 years and worked most of her career in long term care. Kayla went into nursing because she really enjoys helping others and feels that nursing is a very rewarding field. She is married and has three kids. In her free time, she enjoys doing anything that involves being outdoors and spending time with friends and family. In the Fall she enjoys watching Iowa Hawkeye Football.
Traci, Registered Nurse, Inventory Manager
Traci graduated from Pleasantville High School in 2015 and earned an Associate’s Degree in Science from DMACC in 2018. She then continued her studies at DMACC and earned an Associate’s Degree in Nursing. Traci previously worked as a Cardiac/Telemetry Nurse at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center before joining Iowa Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology in April of 2022. Traci plans to continue her studies and further her education. In her free time, Traci loves spending time with her niece, two nephews, and the rest of her family and friends.
Morgan, Registered Nurse
Morgan graduated from Iowa State University where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology: Community and Public Health. However, after realizing her true calling, Morgan went on to pursue a career in nursing. She received her Associate’s degree in Nursing at Purdue Global University in 2019. Following nursing school, she completed the RN residency program at Unity point and worked on the Neuro Trauma/Ortho floor at Methodist hospital for three years. In the midst of it all, she married her college sweetheart. Morgan stays busy with being a mom to her two boys and two golden doodles. She is a big fan of summer, live music and trying new craft beers.
Emily, Registered Nurse
Emily grew up in Waterloo, Iowa and graduated high school in 2004. In 2005, Emily joined the Army and served for 9 years. She received her LPN in 2012 and her RN in 2018. Over the past 11 years of Emily being a nurse, she has worked at different clinics and hospitals gaining a wide range of knowledge and experience. Emily is married, has 3 boys, and lives in Des Moines. She loves thunderstorms, going to the beach, & doing anything crafty!
Ashley, Certified Medical Assistant
Ashley, a native of Des Moines, Iowa, obtained her Certified Medical Assistance directly after graduating from Roosevelt High School. With over 11 years of experience across various specialty clinics and hospitals, Ashley possesses a wealth of experience and knowledge in the medical field. When she's not working, Ashley enjoys being the biggest cheerleader at her children's sporting events and loves spending time with her four children and two fur babies.
Lindsay, Registered Nurse, BSN
Lindsay graduated from Wartburg College with a double major in Biology and Spanish. She attended Mercy College of Health Sciences where she completed the accelerated BSN program in 2023. Lindsay joined Iowa Allergy in February 2024. Outside of work Lindsay loves to spend time with her dogs, attend concerts, be outside with friends playing random games, going to the lake, and reading.
Jayden, Registered Nurse, BSN
Jayden graduated from Iowa State University in 2022 with her Bachelors degree in Kinesiology: Community & Public Health followed by another Bachelors degree in Nursing from Mercy College of Health Sciences in 2023. Following nursing school she worked on the pediatrics floor at MercyOne before joining Iowa Allergy in June of 2024.
Jayden’s favorite part about working at Iowa Allergy is how well everyone works as a team and how much everyone cares about the patients! Outside of work Jayden enjoys spending time with her family and friends as well as watching basketball.
April, Registered Nurse
April has lived in Des Moines area since 1993. She graduated from Dowling High school and went on to pursue her cosmetology career for 12 years before switching paths to nursing. April graduated from Purdue Global in 2017 with her nursing degree. She then went to work on a neurology floor for 5 years. April loves spending time with her 3 children. When she’s not at work she enjoys spending time outdoors, with friends and family, as well as enjoying music, movies and traveling.
Davina, Administrative Director
Davina grew up in southwest Missouri and moved to Iowa in 1998. She earned her bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration in 2011. She enjoys a large, blended family with 5 children ranging in ages from 9 to 22. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, gardening, and spending time with her kids and pets.
Gabby, Administrative Assistant
Gabby grew up in Johnston, Iowa, and graduated from Johnston High School in 2019. Following her passion for healthcare, she has gained valuable experience working in clinical settings. Outside of work, Gabby enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her pets. In her leisure time, she can be found painting, reading, or indulging in a bit of shopping.
Kori, Administrative Assistant
Kori grew up in Chicago Illinois and relocated to Windsor Heights Iowa. Kori graduated from Des Moines’ Roosevelt High School in 2018. Upon graduating, she moved to St. Joseph, Missouri to pursue her bachelor's degree from Missouri Western State University. After receiving her degree in 2023, she began working in clinical settings and ultimately joined Iowa Allergy’s team in May of 2024. Outside of the workplace, Kori enjoys trying new foods, cooking, watching movies and traveling.
Cori, Administrative Assistant
Cori grew up in Des Moines and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1992. Upon graduation, Cori attended Mercy College of Health Sciences, where she completed the EMT program and discovered her passion for working in a clinical setting. Outside of work, Cori enjoys spending time with family, spending time with her pets, boating, and traveling.
Ankeny
Dr. Kyla Ingram, DNP, ARNP, FNP-C
Dr. Ingram grew up in Des Moines and graduated Roosevelt High School in 2010. She then earned her BSN from The University of Iowa in 2013. She worked as an inpatient cardiovascular/telemetry charge nurse for UnityPoint while attending a Family Nurse Practitioner program. Her graduate project involved food allergy management in the elementary school setting. She graduated from The University of Iowa with her her Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2019. She feels a career with Iowa Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology gives her the opportunity to join a collaborative team and develop long-term relationships with families. She values life-long learning, holistic care, and family-based planning.
When not practicing, she enjoys fishing, archery, reading, playing and coaching volleyball, gardening, and watching her son play baseball.
Nicholas Rains, PA-C
Nick grew up in a small town in Illinois. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa in Athletic Training in 2013. He then worked as an athletic trainer in Ohio and Michigan while obtaining his master’s degree in Exercise Science in 2015. He graduated from the Rosalind Franklin University PA Program in 2018 and spent 5 years practicing in rural family medicine and urgent care.
He feels a career with Iowa Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology gives him the opportunity to help families and patients of all ages improve their quality of life. He enjoys the collaboration between all staff and providers in the office.
When not practicing, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids, golfing, and cheering on the Hawkeyes.
Isabella, Registered Nurse
Isabella received her nursing degree from DMACC in 2022. I love being a nurse for many reasons, but one main reason is because I get to learn something new every day! I enjoy spending time reading and watching movies with my husband and daughter and I am a big fan of trying new foods and coffee shops.
Nicole, Registered Nurse, BSN
Nicole graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in biology. She then attended Allen College where she completed the accelerated BSN program in 2022. In her free time, Nicole enjoys spending time with her family and friends and loves to travel.
Mikayla, Registered Nurse, BSN
Mikayla graduated from the University of Iowa in 2021 with a degree in Human Physiology and a minor in Human Relations. She then attended Mercy College of Health Sciences where she completed an accelerated BSN program in 2022. Mikayla spent two years helping new moms and babies before joining Iowa Allergy in September of 2024. Outside of work, Mikayla enjoys spending time with her family and pets, going to the movies, and traveling as much as she can.
Kaylee, Administrative Assistant
Kaylee grew up on a farm in Northwest Iowa and graduated in 2018 from Kingsley-Pierson High School. Kaylee is currently attending DMACC to attain her AA in Business Management with her expected graduation date to be in the Fall of 2023. In her free time, she loves hiking, reading, spending time with friends and family, playing with her two cats and dog, and taking care of her plant collection.
Niki, Administrative Assistant
Niki grew up in Storm Lake, Iowa and received her Psychology degree from Buena Vista University in 2006, moving to Des Moines shortly after. She spent 14 years of her career in the nonprofit world, wearing many different hats to support individuals with special needs in the community. She enjoys exploring new places with her two daughters, traveling, gardening, listening to audiobooks, and volunteering.
Bobbie, Administrative Assistant
Bobbie grew up in Houston Texas and Tulsa Oklahoma before moving to Des Moines. She has a background of being a professional ballet dancer and a dance teacher. Prior to joining the team at Iowa Allergy, she was the office manager for a chiropractic clinic. In her free time Bobbie loves trying new restaurants with her fiancé, spending time with friends and family, as well as snuggling up on the couch with her two cats and dogs.