Kaiser Permanente Fresno continues to set the standard for exceptional stroke care, earning The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval for Hospital Accreditation and Primary Stroke Center, as well as the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus and Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus awards. These prestigious recognitions reflect the tireless efforts of our health care team to deliver the highest quality care to patients when every second counts.

On October 30, 2025, Fresno hosted a Stroke and Sepsis Symposium titled “Early Identification and Early Intervention.” This event was planned and coordinated by a nursing planning committee and strengthened clinical expertise through education and collaboration. Keynote speakers shared evidence-based strategies and emerging care models for treating stroke and sepsis patients.

Interactive activities brought learning to life, including short skits performed by staff nurses that illustrated real-world scenarios. These creative demonstrations highlighted how rapid recognition and decisive action can prevent complications and save lives.

“The symposium gave our nurses and care teams practical tools to apply at the bedside,” said Cristina Pechardo, MSN-NE, RN, CEN, MICN, Senior Clinical Development Nurse I, Nursing Professional Services. “Education like this empowers clinicians to make informed decisions and deliver excellent care.”

By focusing on early identification and intervention, the symposium reinforced the importance of teamwork and continuous learning. Nurses and other health care professionals left with enhanced skills to recognize subtle warning signs, implement evidence-based protocols, and collaborate effectively across disciplines — ultimately improving survival and recovery for stroke and sepsis patients.

Through ongoing education and commitment to best practices, Kaiser Permanente Fresno ensures that patients receive timely, expert care, further solidifying our reputation as a leader in clinical excellence.

---

Planning Committee

Jenna Armson, BSN, RN, CCRN
CCU

Richard Balakid, BSN, RN, CNRN, SCRN
Telemetry

Tom Carrillo, MSN, RN, GERO-BC
Telemetry

Connie Doria-Tiburcio, BSN, RN
Med-Surg

Lester Edralin, BSN, RN, CPAN
PACU

Helena Opoku, MSN, RN
CCU

Cristina Pechardo, MSN-NE, RN, CEN, MICN
Nursing Professional Development

Jeralyn Pecson, BSN, RN
CCU

Marie Sandoval, BSN, RN
CCU

John Smart, BSN, RN
Telemetry

Brittanie Sukau, BSN, RN
Telemetry

Lisa Xiong, BSN, RN
PACU

Maria Yu, BSN, RN, CCRN
CCU