nursingncal, Author at Kaiser Permanente Northern California 2024 Annual Nursing Report

Empowering potential: Mentor-mentee partnership

Throughout my journey as a mentee in the Kaiser Permanente mentoring program, I had the privilege to learn from Winchell Kuttner, DNP, RN, CPHQ whose guidance has been instrumental in preparing me for the role of chair for Professional Governance in 2025. Winchell’s expertise and encouragement have provided a strong foundation for my professional growth as we navigate the complexities of nursing leadership together. Her mentorship has helped me to build confidence, refine my leadership approach and deepen my understanding of effective governance practices. Under her guidance, I gained valuable insights into fostering collaboration, resilience and excellence within our nursing community.

One memorable experience in our mentoring relationship was when Winchell guided me through a challenging governance issue, where she showed me how to balance understanding others’ perspectives with making firm, fair decisions. Her approach taught me the importance of empathy and accountability — skills I am eager to carry forward in my leadership as I strive to create a supportive and effective environment for our nursing team. Her mentorship has allowed me to develop a broader perspective on patient care, team dynamics and strategic thinking, essential qualities for leadership within Kaiser Permanente. As I pursue a master’s degree in Nursing Education, her support has enriched my academic journey by connecting practical knowledge with leadership in real time.

I am inspired to continue fostering a culture of mentorship and empowerment that reflects the values Winchell embodies, ensuring future nursing leaders benefit from this supportive infrastructure. As I prepare for this transition, I am grateful for her invaluable support and excited to contribute to a thriving, empowered nursing community at Kaiser Permanente.

— Jennifer Lopez, BSN, RN & Winchell Kuttner, DNP, RN, CPHQ

It is rewarding to contribute to someone else’s learning journey. Being a mentor means offering guidance and helping to explore ideas, especially when facing challenges. A mentor who fosters open, nonjudgmental exchanges encourages growth and learning in a way that’s personal to the mentee. I am incredibly proud of Jennifer’s transformation as she has developed her leadership skills and gained the knowledge necessary to step into the role of a professional governance chair.

— Winchell Kuttner, DNP, RN, CPHQ

Journey to obtaining a case management certification

As the firstborn in an immigrant family, I often translated health care complexities, sparking my desire to help others. After earning a degree in Human Biology from UC Santa Cruz, I explored health care roles, including optician and pharmacy technician. These experiences fueled my passion for direct patient care and educating individuals on making informed health choices. This led me to pursue an Entry Level Master of Science in Nursing with a focus on Case Management at Samuel Merritt University, where I gained the skills and confidence to enter the nursing profession.

Since graduating in 2014, I’ve managed complex cases for adult and geriatric populations. I assess patient needs, create care plans, and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to ensure safe, coordinated transitions. Whether facilitating ICU discharges or coordinating preventive care, I focus on providing holistic, patient-centered care that improves outcomes for individuals with chronic conditions.

Earning my Case Management Certification (CCM) this year was a milestone that reinforced my dedication to this role. It expanded my knowledge in quality, regulatory processes, and utilization management, while refining my skills in discharge planning—key to guiding patients through a seamless health care journey. This experience highlighted the importance of adaptability and continuous growth. I encourage other nurses to pursue certification as it reflects a commitment to lifelong learning and ensures patients receive the support they need throughout their care. Becoming certified is not just a credential; it represents my ongoing dedication to improving patient outcomes and care delivery.

— Tiffanie Wong-Lee, MSN, RN, CCM

Backpack drive

The Kaiser Permanente Fremont Medical Center’s backpack drive in July beautifully showcases its commitment to the local community by helping families prepare for the upcoming school year. By providing free backpacks filled with essential school supplies, the initiative helped children in Fremont have what they needed to begin their new school year.

The event brought together volunteers from our medical center, creating an atmosphere of teamwork and community spirit. Families were able to access these resources without the burden of financial stress, fostering a sense of unity and support among neighbors. Through the hard work from Fremont employees, we were able to give out over 275 backpacks!

This backpack drive is a testament to our medical center’s dedication to health care as well as the overall well-being of the community. By focusing on education, we recognized that having the right supplies can make a significant difference in a child’s success and confidence. We care deeply about the future of the children in Fremont, going beyond traditional health care services to uplift families in practical ways. Initiatives like this equip students for their educational journeys and inspire a sense of hope and resilience. We embrace our role as a vital partner in the community and we are committed to creating a brighter future for children and families in our communities.

Sam Suchak, RN from Emergency Department is featured with distributing backpacks to prepare parents and children for the new school year.

Senior Surgical Care Program Outreach

On September 13, 2024, Senior Surgical Care Program Nurse Champions and physicians held an education session at Beth Eden Baptist Church located in Oakland in collaboration with Day Break Adult Care. The Senior Surgical Care program focuses on improving the surgical care of older adults based on evidence on what matters most to patients.

Sessions included discussion on importance of Goal Concordant Conversations, Advance Health Care Directives, and preventing Geriatric Syndromes and post-operative care.

Kaiser Permanente Fremont Medical Center welcomed 2 new Caritas Coaches in 2024

The Caritas Coach Education Program® (CCEP) is a six-month professional development program focused on inner reflective work and emersion in theory. This role involves a deep understanding of human caring, transpersonal care, reflective practice, and caring literacy. The role of a Caritas Coach® is to integrate Caring Science into professional practice

After completing the 6-month CCEP®, Caritas Coaches return to their local facilities with new insight, wisdom, skills and confidence to give voice and help translate and live out the theory and philosophy of human caring-healing in service for deep system transformation.

The value of a Caritas Coach in a medical center is significant. These coaches, as graduates of the CCEP, return to their facilities equipped with the skills and knowledge to transform health care delivery. They are prepared to transfer this knowledge to other health care professionals, contributing to a transformation in care that emphasizes meaning, purpose, dignity and wholeness. This transformation is not just limited to patient care but extends to the personal and professional lives of health care providers as well.

Congratulations to:

Joanne Groves, MSN, RN, CNL, NEA-BC, WCSI CCEP® Cohort #32
Arveena Balu, MSN, RN – Kaiser Permanente CCEP® Cohort #1

Nurse development programs

Members of the Kaiser Permanente Fremont Professional Governance Research and Evidence-based Practice (EBP) Council were excited to attend the KP Evidence-Based Practice Council Retreat on December 2, 2024.

It was hosted by Nurse Scholars Academy and Academic Partner University California of San Francisco. Harmeet Brar, MSN, RN, Melissa Ann Banatao, BSN, RN, and Sengamo Sakana, MSN, RN were chosen to participate in this educational opportunity to expand their knowledge and return with valuable information for their EBP & Research Council.

The retreat centered on establishing a shared mental model regarding the key aspects of the EBP Council. As representatives of the EBP and Research Council, Harmeet, Sengamo and Melissa engaged in building their skills to support evidence-based practices in nursing and interprofessional teams to enhance patient care.

Kaiser Permanente Fremont’s EBP and Research Council also provides guidance in encouraging clinical inquiry and leveraging the best available research to improve clinical decision-making. The council developed the medical center’s research policy and procedure to provide guidelines for research protocols and projects.

Council members are learning to conduct a research project by reviewing literature, completing a Research Determination Office form, and submitting their project to the Institutional Review Board. After attending the retreat, they were well-prepared to strengthen the council charter, formulate a strategic plan and develop an agenda for their council.

Celebrating diversity and resilience during Asian Pacific Islander Week

In honor of Asian Pacific Islander Month and Nurses Week, the Kaiser Permanente Roseville Medical Center Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Committee hosted a powerful screening of the documentary Nurse Unseen.

This film highlights the largely untold story of Filipino nurses who have been the backbone of the American health care system, risking their lives on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic while also facing a resurgence of anti-Asian hate. The Inclusion sub-committee organized multiple viewings of the film, inviting all employees to attend. Volunteers greeted guests in traditional Filipiniana attire, and participants were treated to a feast of Filipino cuisine, including pansit, lumpia, and rice cake desserts. Over 200 Kaiser Permanente Roseville Medical Center employees joined in this celebration, fostering a deeper respect for one another’s differences and honoring the contributions of Filipino nurses.

Nursing leadership of daily management systems (DMS) supports operational excellence

Kaiser Permanente Roseville Medical Center has been a leader in Northern California in implementing the Daily Management System (DMS), a structured process aimed at managing daily operations and driving continuous improvement.

DMS tools, including visual management, huddles, problem-solving, standard work, and strategy alignment, have been integral to this initiative. In 2024, the focus has been on empowering frontline staff to lead daily readiness and problem-solving huddles. Twice-yearly assessments of DMS maturity have shown notable progress, with scores increasing from 3 towards the goal of 4. A key highlight of the year was the Journey to Excellence class, attended by over 85% of Kaiser Foundation Health staff, underscoring our ongoing commitment to quality, safety, and employee engagement. These efforts demonstrate the positive impact of DMS on both operational excellence and staff involvement, setting a strong foundation for future success.

Group of happy Kaiser Permanente nurses enjoying a walk together

Celebrating our Roseville nurses

Through our awards programs, we recognize nurses and care partners who exemplify excellence and provide high-quality, compassionate care to our members and patients.

Extraordinary Nurse Awards

The Northern California Extraordinary Nurse Award Program recognizes and honors 34 individuals each year who exemplify professionalism, compassion, teamwork, excellence, integrity, and patient- and family-centric care in their practice.

Nursing Professional Development
Jane Jach, MSN, RN, RNC-OB, EBP-C
Nursing Professional Development Specialist, MCH

Medical Offices or Outpatient Services
Rex Tapangan, BSN, RN
Case Manager, Pediatric Specialties

DAISY Nurse Leader Award

The DAISY Nurse Leader Award shines a light on nurse leaders — directors, managers, assistant managers, and educators— who don’t generally have direct patient care as part of their work and create an environment where compassionate, skillful care thrives.

Marina Beck, RN, MSN
Rebeca Haynes, RN
Heather Kleinhert, RN, BSN

Anna Mulessa, RN, MSN, CCRN
Carter Todd, MS, MBA, NE-BC, CCRN
Toni Vengersammy, RN, BSN

DAISY Nurse Award

The DAISY Nurse Award for front-line staff recognizes the compassion and care nurses provide to patients and families.

Abby Abuiso, RN
Helen Brott, RN
Kristen Craven, RN
Aris Deveza, RN
Susanne Espino, RN
Roni Foliente, RN
Stephanie Hemphill, RN
David Hirsch, RN
Erin Linquist, RN
Na Da Lo, RN
Stephanie Lordemann, RN
Anne Marcariola, RN
Kimberly McNeil-Craig, RN
Christine Meyers, RN
Bethanny Murray, RN
Maureen Omondi, RN

Amanda Overmyer, RN
Vickey Paul, RN
Valeriy Petrash, RN
Mary Pettit, RN
Jessica Pomeroy, RN
Ali Rahimah, RN
Stacy Roudebush, RN
Amanda Sapp, RN
Sarah Strange, RN
Lynda Struck, RN
Adam Swiser, RN
Jane Templin, RN
Shella Torres, RN
Maricar Vargas, RN
Gleyneth Vidalp-Perez, RN

PETAL Awards

(Allied Health Friends of Nursing) — The PETAL Award is for interdisciplinary non-nurses. It recognizes the hard work of caregivers in non-nursing roles, from housekeeping and dietary services, who partner with nurses to deliver excellent, compassionate care for our members and the community.

Melanie Balmania
Elizabeth Breshears
Taylor Cain
Katherine Cole
Ryan Deovolente
Alexander Galvez
Logan Good
Cindy Guiterrez
Nicole Huddleston

Tara Huss
Roland Ibarra
Carlo Ilijan
Gurpreet Kaur
Molly Morries
Jill Salcedo
Robin Slatees
Edward Smith
Seth Staton

Voice of Nursing continues to lead 7 core councils with a strong governance council

The Governance Council of the Roseville Medical Center Voice of Nursing (VON) has been dedicated to aligning VON projects with the nursing strategic plan and assessing the maturity of each council. In 2024, the Governance Council took significant steps to support the professional growth of VON and Nursing Unit Council (NUC) members. This included offering Top Nurses Basic Training to help new members understand VON’s structure, evidence-based practice (EBP), and quality improvement (QI) principles. The council also hosted the annual Winter Wonderland event in December, celebrating the achievements of all 7 core councils and highlighting their contributions to nursing excellence. It’s been a year of growth, education, and celebration for VON, and the Governance Council is excited for what’s ahead in 2025.

Voice of Nursing

Governance Council Tri-Chairs

Sarah Yates, MS, BSN, RN, CCRN
Clinical Nurse IV

Sarah McCarthy, BSN, MBA, RN
Clinical Nurse II

Amanda Nicolet, BSN, MBA, RN
Clinical Nurse IV

Councils

The Care Experience Council led the “What Matters Most” campaign to improve “RNs listen carefully” scores by educating nursing staff at Voice of Nursing and staff meetings. In another project, they worked to reduce room time and improve cleanliness scores by providing education on EVS room readiness. The council also created four care experience teams, with each adult unit taking the lead on one aspect of care experience.

The Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Council identified an opportunity to enhance members’ EBP knowledge and skills. After an EBP immersion for all Voice of Nursing members, they developed a PICOT question to guide them through all seven steps of the EBP process.

The Informatics Council developed and implemented an enhanced armband with additional QR codes for scanning, improving patient identification and workflow. Noticing a knowledge gap, the council provided education on the Rover and Vocera apps during staff meetings and huddles to encourage better utilization of TC52 features. The council also focused on hardware optimization, conducting individualized unit assessments to identify opportunities for printer mapping, improving workstation functionality, and ensuring proper technology stewardship.

Roseville Voice of Nursing Practice Council

The Practice Council identified a need to improve policy accessibility and staff education. In response, they collaborated to create an informative job-aid and provided training to help nursing staff efficiently find and access policies relevant to their clinical areas.

The Professional Development Council worked diligently to improve the tracking of degree and certification rates through HealthStream. As a result, nurses with a BSN or higher increased from 41% to 57%, and nurses with professional certifications rose from 16% to 19%. The council also actively promoted RN attendance at nursing conferences, obtaining professional certifications, and pursuing further education through tuition reimbursement programs.

The Quality & Safety Council provided car seat safety classes to reduce injury risks and support patient discharge needs. They also initiated a project to standardize IV tubing labels across all inpatient adult units, aligning with upcoming policy updates. In collaboration with EVS leadership, the council improved sharp safety protocols, addressing concerns when sharps containers are full or unavailable. The council is also working with EVS and Safety teams to ensure that soiled utility rooms are clean, organized, and safe for use.

The Recognition & Retention Council successfully obtained approval to separate Nurses’ Week from Healthcare Week, then contributed to the efforts for Nurses’ Week celebrations. In addition, the council focused on staff retention by offering exit interviews to collect data on reasons for unit transfers and departures. They also gathered insights on what contributes to nursing staff satisfaction, helping to identify factors that encourage staff to remain in their current units.

Northern California medical centers

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