Age: 30
Occupation: Family nurse practitioner in pediatric, cardiology and pediatric primary care
Email: kerby.scanlan@gmail.com
Education: Master of Science in nursing
Family: Husband, Tyler; son, Tiger
Affiliations/community activities:
Director, Sangamon County Fair Queen Pageant; Sangamon County Fair Board; Pediatric Quality Improvement initiatives and multidisciplinary quality committees; Children’s Miracle Network; Dirty Birdie Golf Outing; Toys for Tots; Illinois Pageant Director Association; Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs; Style of Hope Gala
What is your guiding principle in life? My guiding principle is to leave people and places better than I found them. Whether I’m caring for patients, raising my son, mentoring young women through pageantry or serving my community, I believe small acts of kindness, leadership and service can create a lasting impact.
What led you to your career? I have always been drawn to helping others and making a difference in people’s lives. Nursing gave me the opportunity to combine science, compassion and advocacy, and becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner allowed me to build meaningful relationships with children and families while helping shape their health and well-being for the future.
What would you like to give back to your community? I want to continue creating opportunities for others to grow and succeed. Through healthcare, I hope to improve outcomes for children and families. Through pageantry and community service, I hope to help young women develop confidence, leadership skills and a commitment to serving others.
What obstacles have you overcome in your career path? Like many young female professionals, I faced the challenge of balancing career advancement, graduate education, leadership responsibilities and new motherhood simultaneously. Earning my graduate degree and advancing my career while raising a young child required perseverance, flexibility and resilience. Those experiences taught me to lead with grace under pressure, adapt to challenges and gave me a deeper appreciation for the realities many families face every day.
What do you wish your younger self had known when you started on this path?
I wish I had known that leadership is less about having all the answers and more about being willing to learn, listen and show up consistently.
What’s the song you sing in the shower?
“Choosin’ Texas” — see you at the Illinois State Fair, Ella.
This article appears in July SBJ 2026.