Nursing in Northern California main site

nursingncal

This author has written 166 articles
Recognition wall in the Fremont Medical Center

Celebrating our Fremont 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 Award

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.

Cherry David

Perioperative Services
Cherry David, BSN, RN
Staff Nurse IV

Dorothy Laine

Medical Offices or Outpatient Services
Dorothy Laine, RN
Staff Nurse II, Laser Surgery Department
Union City Medical Offices

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.

Russell Cuenca, RN
Rajwinder Dhillon, MSN, RN
Arbie Estabillo, MSN, RN, CNL

Jolly Kutty Samuel, BSN, RN
Celine Thomas , MSN, RN
Lady Kathleen Torres, BSN, RN

DAISY Nurse Award

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

Christine Balbarais, BSN, RN
Joseph Charles Beck, RN
Clarita Bolotaolo, RN
Doreen Davidson, BSN, RN
Michelle Haney , BSN, RN
Lisa Meyers-Jones, RN
Heather Rush, RN

Healther Rush , BSN, RN
Harinder Sahota
Aaron Semana , DNP, RN
Meenkashi Sharma , MSN, RN
Melanie Tsao, BSN, RN

DAISY Team Award

The DAISY Team Award honors collaboration by 2 or more people led by a nurse who identifies and meets patient and/or patient family needs by going above and beyond the traditional role of the nurse.

Rajwinder Dhillon, MSN, RN, and her team

PETAL Award

(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.

Inderpreet Singh, BSN, RN

2 nurses at a presentation table

Celebrating our Fresno 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 Award

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.

Erica Dixon

Kaiser Foundation Hospitals Emerging Nurse Leaders of the Year
Erica Dixon, BSN, RN
Assistant Nurse Manager, PACU

Suki Sahota

Perioperative Services
Suki Sahota, RN
Staff Nurse III

Kristin Rowden

Care Coordination
Kristin Rowden, MSN, RN
Patient Care Coordinator Case Manager, Utilization Management

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.

Stephanie Edwards, MSN, RN, NE-BC

Cristina Pechardo, MSN, RN, CEN

DAISY Nurse Award

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

Cristina Pechardo, MSN, RN, CEN
Fe May Rose Aguilar, BSN, RN
Michael Alacar, BSN, RN, CCRN
Dawn Boss, BSN, RN
Cassandra Gonzales, BSN, RN

Jill Hermosa, BSN, RN, SCRN
Paul Laygo, BSN, RN, CCRN
Edgar Meza Flores, BSN, RN
Galina Petrichko, ASN, RN
Ruby Valdez

DAISY Team Award

The DAISY Team Award honors collaboration by 2 or more people led by a nurse who identifies and meets patient and/or patient family needs by going above and beyond the traditional role of the nurse.

Krystal Pombo, MSN, RN,CSN, AGCNS-BC

PETAL Award

(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.

Flores Elias

Norma Rosas Gomez

EMPOWER Council

EMPOWER Council

Members of Fremont EMPOWER Council featuring Chief Nurse Executive/Chief Operating Officer Christopher Neilson, BSN, RN, NE-BC after a monthly Professional Governance meeting.

Enhancing and Making Patients Outcome Worthwhile by providing Extraordinary care, every patient, every time through Research and evidence-based practice (EMPOWER) Council

The Fremont Medical Center Professional Governance, also known as the EMPOWER Council, has made significant strides since its inception in November 2023.

Some of the key accomplishments of EMPOWER include the introduction of color-coded staff badges to help patients easily identify staff roles and resources involved in their care. We also enhanced the Authentic Hourly Rounding with Hospital Acquired Condition (HAC) rounds in inpatient settings to address fall prevention, Hospital Acquired Pressure Injury (HAPI), and Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI) while enhancing communication and overall patient care experience.

We are in the process of conducting a qualitative study on enclosure beds and developed a research policy to provide a guideline for research protocols and projects. The distribution of communication toolboxes in every unit further supports effective team interaction. We held Care Experience Week with great success, highlighting initiatives led by the EMPOWER Council, and we have seen an increase in the number of certified RNs and those pursuing further education and advancement.

Beverly Curry Co_council

Fresno Coordinating Council

Beverly Curry, BSN, RN
Staff Nurse IV
Coordinating Council Staff Chair

In 2024 the Coordinating Council went through some restructuring giving more ownership to the staff nurse by creating a staff chair and chair-elect role and realigning the department manager to a supportive role. By creating this shift, it has empowered our nurses to take the lead in decision making on projects and give ownership of the change to the nurses that are closest to the work. Nurses can influence the work and problem-solve to improve quality, patient safety, and care experience. By doing so they are elevating the profession of nursing. One notable achievement had been promoting the Nurse Excellence Survey resulting in substantially improved results from 2022 survey.

Cert_Nurse_Celebration_photo

Celebrating certified nurses

On March 19, 2024, Kaiser Permanente Fresno celebrated the 2nd Annual Certified Nurses Day event. This event was organized by Telemetry Assistant Nurse Manager Xo Vang, MSN, RN, CCRN and Clinical Nurse Specialist Krystal Pombo, MSN, RN, CSN, AGCNS-BC in collaboration with a group of staff nurses that represented certified nurses from Critical Care Unit, Emergency Department, Maternal Child Health, Med-Surg, Operating Room, PACU, Pre-Op, and Telemetry (full list of names below). These certified nurses hosted interactive stations that were designed to be educational and a fun way to learn more about national certifications in their designated expertise.

“We are hosting this event to encourage our nurses to grow professionally,” Assistant Nurse Manager Xo Vang, Telemetry, said. “The data shows that certified nurses have better patient outcomes, improved patient safety, and increased job satisfaction.”

Certified Nurses Day recognizes nurses who achieve national board certification, and demonstrate a deep commitment to professionalism, excellence, safety, and service through achievement of nursing credentialing in their given specialty.

“We’re all passionate about our jobs,” Staff Nurse IV Stevey Pope-Allred, BSN, RN, Emergency Department, said. “Becoming certified shows that we’ve taken that extra step to solidify our commitment to nursing. It also helps you realize that you have this wealth of knowledge to help others.”

“Certification helps you demonstrate your competency and how well-rounded you are with your knowledge base,” Staff Nurse III Valerie Mundy, BSN, RN, CEN, Emergency Department, said. “It helps you be the best you can be.”

In 2022, a total of 98 nurses were identified as having a national certification. At the time of the event in 2024, 178 registered nurses were recognized, since the event an additional 19 nurses have been identified, 14 of which are new certifications, bringing the total to 197 and an overall increase of 101% from 2022.

Marion Alvarez, BSN, RN, CNOR
Jenna Armson, BSN, RN, CCRN
Marichelle Bustamante, BSN, RN, CCRN
Lester Edralin, BSN, RN, CPAN
Sonia Lourence, BSN, RN, PHM-C
Patricia Martinez, BSN, RN, RN-NIC, IBCLC
Valerie Mundy, BSN, RN, CEN
Stevey Pope, MSN, RN
Vela Powel, RN, CNOR
Rumel Rivera, BSN, RN, PCCN
Keris Schreiber, BSN, RN, CAPA
Daniel Topete, BSN, RN, CMSRN
Rizza Valerio, BSN, RN, PCCN
Denise Winslow, BSN, RN, IBCLC

A large group of nurses holding awards

Fresno nurses soar to new heights in their practice

Kaiser Permanente nurses demonstrated their commitment to creating and sustaining a culture of excellence by advancing their professional practice through earning advanced degrees, moving to the next level of the clinical ladder, obtaining national board certification, and graduating from the nurse residency program.

Nursing degrees earned

Adrienne Barraza, MSN-NP, RN, CCRN
Consuelo Beltran, LVN
Marichelle Bustamante, MSN-NP, RN
Donna Cardenas, MSN, RN, MS-BC
Tom Carillo, MSN, RN, Gero-BC
Candi Cortez , LVN
Stephanie Diaz, LVN
Amanpreet Dhillon, MSN-NP, RN
Danielle Escobar, BSN, RN
Tiffany Estrada, MSN-NP, RN
Gabriella Figueroa, BSN

Leann Hendrickson, MSN-NP, RN
Renae Long, BSN, RN, EFM
Erica Lopez, MSN-NP, RN
Edgar Meza, BSN, RN
Stevey Pope-Allred MSN, RN
Susana Sandhu, MSN, RN
Michael Torrejos (PCT) BSN, RN
Adolf Alistair Villa ER (Tech), BSN, RN
Bridgette Wilson, MSN, RN

Nurse Residency graduates

Aaron Bradley, BSN, RN
Kendra Foster, RN
Natalie Gilbreath, RN
Arnold Muradyan, BSN, RN
Xiaoquing Song, RN

Rafael Arellano-Aguirre, BSN, RN
Anmol Kaur, BSN, RN
Aaliyah Mitchell, BSN, RN
Mai Yang, BSN, RN

Board certifications

CCU

Rowena Gapasin, BSN, RN, CCRN
John Tenedor, ASN, RN, CCRN
Maika Vang, MSN, RN, FNP-C

MCH

Roxanne Bronson, BSN, RN, RNC-OB
Lee Lee, BSN, RN, RNC-OB
Renae Long, BSN, RN, RNC-OB
Jill Moore, BSN, RN, RNC-OB
Jennifer Wong, BSN, RN, RNC-OB

ED

Chad Battenburg, MSN, RN, CEN, FNP-C
Joy Murad, ASN, RN, CEN

PCCM

Hong Bunsy, MSN, RN, FNP-C

Telemetry

Lawerence Enriquez, ASN, RN, PCCN
Danny Nguyen, BSN, RN, GERO-BC
Valerie Tcha, MSN, RN, ACNPC-AG

Med/Surg

Anthony Villegas, BSN, RN, MS-BC

Leadership

Christine Hruska-King, BSN, RN, MS-BC

Career Ladder advancements

Clinical Nurse 4

Cinderella Aniag, ASN, RN
Tele

Maria Theresa Atutubo, BSN, RN
Tele

Amy Grewal, BSN, RN, MS-BC
Med Surg

Rajvir Kaur, RN
Mental Health

Eric Lopez, ASN, RN
OR

Henry Parker, BSN, RN, CWCN
PCS

Maribel A’Costa, BSN, RN
OR

Fidelia Coras, RN
Oncology

Amandeep Dhillon, BSN, RN
Tele

Maria Masangcay, BSN, RN, CMSRN
Tele

Vanessa Matcham, BSN, RN, Gero-BC
Tele

Nilay Patel, MSN, RN, AANPCP
Tele

Bexabelle Apolinario, BSN, RN
PACU

Lynette Bird-Metzger, BSN, RN
CCU

Starr Gaines-Glynn, MSN, RN AANPCP
PACU

Amarjit Kaur-Grewal, BSN, RN
Tele

Gracy Pinto, BSN, RN, CCRN
CCU

John Tenedor, ASN, RN, CCRN
CCU

Clinical Nurse 3

Sharon Chettupally, RN
Tele

Rianne DelaCruz, ASN, RN
ED

Eric Ellis, BSN, RN, CEN
ED

Erica Espinoza, ASN, RN
Tele

Brittnie Hayes, BSN, RN
Tele

Brandon Kindberg, RN
ED

Ying Lee, RN
Tele

Nicole McBride, BSN, RN
Utilization Mgmt

Gi Moua, RN
Med Surg

Candice Noble, BSN, RN
Med Surg

Christine Nguyen, BSN, RN, EFM
LDRP

Allen Pasion, RN
Tele

Brian Pritchard, RN
Cardiology

Amber Wilbur-Allen, BSN, RN
Utilization Mgmt

Jenna Armson, BSN, RN, CCRN
CCU

Roxanne Bronson, BSN, RN, EFM
LDRP

Steve Ellis, ASN, RN
OR

Kelli Hendrixson, RN
IMN

Nicole Kimball, ASN, RN
Utilization Mgmt

Sonia Lourance, BSN, RN
LDRP

Navdeep Kaur Pandher, RN
Tele

Sarah Rager, RN
Utilization Mgmt

Maika Vang, MSN, RN, AANPCP
CCU

Roces Velasco, MSN, RN, NICN
IMN

Sara Wiebe, BSN, RN
LDRP

Monica Beijens, BSN, RN, EFM
LDRP

Satwinder Brar, ASN, RN
Med Surg

Amber Frazer, BSN, RN
ED

Samantha Gonzalez, BSN, RN
Tele

Andrew Gorbatiy, RN
Med Surg

Jill Hermosa, BSN, RN, SCRN
Med Surg

Blake James, ASN, RN, CTRN
Utilization Mgmt

Jugjit Khera, BSN, RN
Tele

Oleg Muradyan, RN
CCU

Ronald Napier, BSN, RN, CPEN
ED

Corina Portugal, BSN, RN
Med Surg

Alaina Romero, BSN, RN
Tele

Michelle Vargas, ASN, RN
Tele

William Vetter, ASN, RN (pending)
ED

Elena Wahlberg, BSN, RN
Utilization Mgmt

Jasmine Woodruff, BSN, RN
ED

Goal milestone featured image placeholder

All Surgical Site Infection prevention strategies

In 2023 All Surgical Site Infection (SSI) rates were at an odds ratio of 1.41, well above the targeted goal of 0.89. This was 40 SSIs. The Perioperative Services team identified the root causes contributing to the SSIs and implemented process changes that have been instrumental in the successful reduction of SSIs in 2024.

Some of the changes included standardizing discharge wound to postoperative patients being discharged from both the inpatient and outpatient setting, improvement of bundle compliance and post-op calls focused on reviewing care of the surgical incision.

With the implementation of these changes, there has been a significant decrease in number of SSIs from 40 cases in 2023 to 19 cases for 2024 currently.

SSI reduction graph

ED-Fall-Risk-sign

Emergency Department nurses bring a fresh perspective on fall prevention

Frontline nurses, Valerie Mundy, BSN, RN, CEN and Joy Murad, ASN, RN, CEN were called to action to help redesign fall prevention in the Emergency Department. One of the key challenges identified was that fall prevention signs were not easily seen due to color and location. With some creative changes, reinvented fall prevention kits, and education provided to the ED team, they have fostered a culture of ownership and accountability which has resulted in an over 46% reduction in falls from 2023 to 2024.

ED Fall Rate

Goal milestone featured image placeholder

Reducing Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infections using adherence of bundle elements and standard work

At Kaiser Permanente Fresno, reducing Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infections (CLABSIs) was a top priority for 2024. This was achieved with standard work, high oversite, and adherence to the CLABSI bundle prevention.

A multidisciplinary team of nurses and physicians met regularly to create the standard work implemented. Bundle elements were reviewed daily and reported during the Daily Safety Briefing (DSB) for any actions or follow up. As a result of this work there has been a 62.5% decrease in CLABSI from eight in 2023 to three in 2024. This is a significant improvement in safety for patients.

CLABSI reduction graph

Innovation featured image placeholder

Utilizing gamification to enhance staff satisfaction and engagement in learning

The Nursing Professional Development Specialist team (NPDS) created a new and innovative approach to mandatory annual education this year using an interactive learning approach called gamification. Each station had a different educational topic with a game theme such as Jeopardy and Family Feud. Creating a fun and engaging learning environment fostered friendly competition and allowed teamwork among participants. The positive responses to this enhanced learning platform were significant, with 90% of attendees rating Excellent and the other 10% rating as Good.

Game card that says keep calm and prevent CLABSI

Load More
Back To Top