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“Julie is hardworking, always puts her staff and patients first, and is a great advocate for all,” said a Central Valley colleague who nominated her for the award. “She is approachable, and always follows through with situations that require her assistance.” Julie Silveira, BSN, RN, was named a 2024 TPMG Emerging Nurse Leader of the Year.  She is the Service Unit Manager for the Central Valley Medical Specialties and Oncology and Infusion Services and has been with Kaiser Permanente for 19 years. Inspiration for Nursing Silveira’s mother was a nurse whose journey inspired her to follow her footsteps. “She showed me that despite disadvantages you may be dealing with if you have determination, a desire to help and to make a difference you can build a very purposeful, fulfilling, and successful career,” shared Silveira. “When I was growing up, I was always in awe at how many people would just come up to her to thank her for having taken care of them.  They remembered her and what she did, and it showed me that she made a difference for people, and I knew that was what I wanted to do too.” Silveira is also inspired today by her team and their relentless dedication to their patients. “At any given time, someone on the team may be struggling with a personal issue and they still manage to give themselves 100% to their patients.  It’s remarkable and that selflessness is truly what inspires me,” she said. Leading with Purpose Her nominator shares, “Julie was instrumental in driving excellent outcomes on organizational goals. She leads by example with her passion, compassion, diligence, and perseverance to care for all our patients and support her growing team of 51 direct reports.” Silveira focuses on showing and reminding her teams that they work they do is meaningful. “I like to recognize individuals, share patient stories of thanks, encourage others to recognize their colleagues and in general create a culture of gratitude and helping,” she said.   “The work we do can be very “heavy” emotionally and I believe that recognizing and acknowledging that aspect of it is important so when I can I try to create space for my teams to incorporate a little fun into their day-to-day routines and enjoy their work lives with each other. “ Delivering Care Excellence In the nomination, Silveira was recognized for her collaboration and teamwork with Central Valley colleagues to improve patient care and outcomes by ensuring members receive timely care in the high-volume department she oversees. “Ultimately, I want to make what our patients are going through easier regardless of what that may be,” said Silveira. “I want to unburden them as much as possible and make them feel safe and well cared for.”

Nursing is truly a family calling for mother and daughter registered nurses Trudy and Tatiana Gastrock, both of whom work at the San Francisco Medical Center, Trudy in labor and delivery and Tatiana in chemotherapy-infusion. Not only was Tatiana born at the San Francisco Medical Center in the same department where Trudy now works, but Trudy’s parents were also in nursing, providing care to elderly patients at another local hospital. Trudy, who has worked at the San Francisco Medical Center for 21 years, knew from a young age that she wanted to be a nurse, and specifically in labor and delivery. “Seeing what my parents did, I wanted to care for patients at the other end of life,” she said. She completed her education while raising Tatiana, who was born when she was 19. During those years, she and her husband would tag team caring for Tatiana, allowing Trudy to attend nursing school during the day and work as a student nurse in the evening. Tatiana was four when Trudy graduated and immediately took a position in the cardiac procedure unit. She moved on to med tele and stroke and step down at 1 North before training to become a labor and delivery nurse. Tatiana, who has worked at the San Francisco Medical Center for two years, was also drawn to nursing from an early age. “I grew up going to appointments with my mom and doing internships and volunteering in the hospital,” she said. Trudy admits she originally guided Tatiana towards labor and delivery, arranging for her to shadow in her department and in postpartum care and NICU during high school. However, Tatiana knew she had another calling. “I was originally interested in pediatric oncology, but after I took this job, I realized I wanted to work with adults.” Attending school in Hawaii, where the family has relatives, Tatiana did her clinical training at Kaiser Permanente Hawaii. Inspired by how much her mother enjoyed working in San Francisco, Tatiana always intended to follow in her footsteps. However, she did not tell her parents her plans when she applied for her first job. “I wanted to keep it to myself until I was absolutely sure I got it,” she said. When she did get the job, her mother told her that it was the same clinic where Tatiana’s grandfather went for cancer treatments. The two frequently coordinate their schedules to eat lunch together, with Trudy often bringing home-cooked leftovers to share. “I think it’s a special bond she and I share together, both working at Kaiser,” said Tatiana. “My mom set me up with the best education I could ask for and the best hospital I could work for. We’re both really happy here and we get to spend quality time together at home and at work.” As San Francisco natives, both Gastrocks have had many experiences caring for friends, family members, and neighbors. “I’ve seen so many people we know come through here to deliver babies,” said Trudy. “My…

“Vickie motivates everyone to work to their full potential,” said Usha Rao, MD, Assistant Chief of Ophthalmology in the Central Valley. “She does not shy away from any task and is not afraid to make tough decisions or have tough conversations.” Vickie Her, BSN, RN, was awarded the 2024 Extraordinary Nurse Award – TPMG Nurse Leader of the Year. She has been with Kaiser Permanente for 29 years, and serves as the Service Unit Director for Vision Services, Float Pool, Staffing Office and TPMG Front Office Operations in the Central Valley. Inspiration for Nursing Growing up as the eldest daughter in her family, Vickie was responsible from a young age for being the translator for her immigrant parents during their medical appointments. “These experiences taught me the vital role that nurses play in patient education. I greatly appreciated how tolerant and understanding the nurses interacting with my family were, taking the time to explain things to me so I that I could then relay the information to my parents,” shared Her.  “Nurses truly have a significant impact on the well-being of patients, and their dedication to educating and supporting individuals, regardless of their background, is truly commendable.” Leading with Purpose Vickie shares that as a nurse leader, her role is to inspire and influence her teams to maintain composure, make sound decisions and show empathy in unique situations, both in and out of the clinical setting. “It is crucial to understand and validate the emotions experienced by individuals during the healthcare process and to respect their needs,” said Her. “As nurse leaders, we balance the roles and responsibilities of healthcare professionals, always prioritizing the best interests of the patient. By fostering empathy and understanding, we create a culture that addresses challenges and provides optimal care.” Delivering Care Excellence Rao shared one of the reasons she and others on the team nominated Vickie for the Extraordinary Nurse Award was for her collaborative efforts and focus on patient safety as the clinical nurse manager content expert for the Northern California pilot, and subsequent rollout, of the Ambulatory Procedural Safety Checklist for Ophthalmology Services. Implementation was successful for Stockton and Modesto Ophthalmology, and the teams yielded 100% compliance as of earlier this year, thanks to her leadership. “She leads by example and with integrity,” said Rao. “Nurses have an incredible impact on the lives of those they interact with every day. Whether it's patients, colleagues, or coworkers, their knowledge and education truly make a difference,” said Her.

“I wish I had a list of everything you needed so I didn’t have to keep going in and out of the patient room.”  What San Leandro ICU nurse manager, Sandi Kaur, MSN, RN, said as a light joke to her physician colleague, Jasper Ip, MD, instead became a light bulb moment.  Now known to ICU care team members as the Procedural Optimization Project, communication has improved in preparation for procedures such as bronchoscopy, percutaneous tracheostomy, line placement, chest tube placement, and paracentesis because of Kaur’s informal comment. Each procedure has a workflow outlining specific details for the ordering physician such as a list of supplies and preferred patient positioning.   The order also includes a procedure time, which allows nurses to prep everything in advance. “Just like you would see in the operating room or interventional radiology, everything is in place in the room, and the patient is prepped and ready before the doctor arrives,” said Kaur.   “It takes away all the guess work and is especially helpful for nurses who might not be as familiar with the process,” said Llewlyn Lagmay, BSN, RN, CCRN, Staff Nurse III.    “Efficient is the best way to describe it. Bedside and procedural nurses know what to expect and can plan their day accordingly, and similarly our physician partners can manage multiple procedures a day while balancing their clinical duties – and it’s all seamless for the patient,” added Kaur.    Additionally, the new process minimizes deviations in standard practice and improves patient care. “When procedures are done more efficiently, it’s less stress and discomfort to the patient,” added Lagmay.  Consistency of practice between providers improves safety as well as quality. To ensure all nurses are familiar with the new process, a special procedural optimization station is set up on skills day, so all nurses are familiar with the process, as well as receiving one-on-one education.  

The inaugural Northern California Nursing Research and Innovation Conference on May 14 and 15 2024, was a resounding success, bringing together over fifty research and evidence‑based practice (EBP) posters from enthusiastic and dedicated nurses – some of whom were presenting for the very first time. The two‑day event was a vibrant showcase of nurse‑driven initiatives, reinforcing Kaiser Permanente’s commitment to excellence in nursing practice and patient care. Keynote speakers set the tone for the conference, with Dan Weberg, PhD, MHI, RN, FAAN discussing the future of AI in nursing and Erica Hooper, DNP, RN, CNS, CNL, PHN and Rayne Soriano, Ph.D., RN, NE‑BC emphasizing the importance of Caring Science within our Professional Practice Model. The conference was a platform for recognizing outstanding work. Toby Marsh, MSN, RN, FACHE, NEA-BC, NCAL Regional Chief Nurse Executive and Vice President of Clinical Integration, captured the spirit of the event perfectly, stating, “The future is really bright. This is the best time to be a Kaiser Permanente nurse and nurse leader in Northern California.” One of the standout moments was the Most Innovative Poster Award given to a team from the Antioch Medical Center. Mhagsy Celestino, MSN, CCRN, RN, RNM, proudly stated, “The Most Innovative Poster Award is dedicated to my wonderful CAUTI TeamChampions for their impeccable dedication and monitoring for success in promoting quality and safe care for our members.” The Santa Clara Medical Center team led by Chief Nurse Executive, Stacy Alves, DNP, MS, RN, NEA‑BC, was recognized for the most abstract and poster submissions with 14 shared at the conference. The team from the Modesto Medical Center, led by interim Chief Nurse Executive, Betty Lopez, DNP, MPA, RN received the award for best poster design for their work improving the pediatric patient experience. Dynamic and inspirational aptly describe the Research and Innovation Academy Conference. It was an opportunity for nurses to cross-pollinate best practices, challenge the status quo, and embrace a spirit of inquiry. As we continue to elevate nursing practice, we are reminded of the importance of caring for ourselves and our colleagues to provide the best care for our patients. The event also featured golden nuggets of knowledge on abstract preparation and becoming a peer reviewer for professional journals. Congratulations to all the award recipients and participants for their exceptional contributions. Your dedication and innovation make Kaiser Permanente Northern California the best place to work and receive care. We look forward to continuing this journey of excellence and innovation together. This conference was a testament to the power of collaboration and the relentless pursuit of excellence in nursing. A special thank you to Ifeoma Nnaji, DNP, RN, NI-BC, NPD-BC, NE-BC, FACHE for her exceptional leadership of the KP Nurse Scholars Research and Innovations Academy. Her dedication and guidance have been instrumental in fostering a culture of research and innovation within our nursing community

“Bernice is an embodiment of the Kaiser Permanente mission. Even with her ever-increasing responsibilities, she never backs away from rolling up her sleeves to help lend a hand on the floor, or making time to mentor and guide us, while also leading the various committees she is a part of,” said Tseganesh Tamrat, RN, staff nurse II, medical surgical, San Jose Medical Center. Bernice Yale, BSN, RN is the San Jose nurse manager of the medical surgical unit and was named as a 2024 Kaiser Foundation Hospitals Nurse Leader of the Year. She has been with Kaiser Permanente for 26 years. Inspiration for Nursing Bernice was inspired to become a nurse after admiring all the hard work that her mother did as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. “I became a caregiver at the age of 13 for my neighbor who lived down the street. She was disabled and eventually became dependent on a ventilator,” said Yale. “I learned how to not only be like a certified nursing assistant type of caregiver, but also how to advocate for her. As I saw how physical therapists and nurses came and took care of her, and that also inspired me to become a nurse.” Now, her team inspires her. “They lift me up – if I ask them for things, they say, we'll do it for you. We share a vision of having a unit that is well-run, clean, with so many wonderful caregivers, who are really passionate about what they do,” she shared. Leading with Purpose “I like to lead with passion. When I come to work, I show up for work, ready to do the best job that I can,” said Yale. “I like to hire a team that is caring and compassionate and not task oriented. Clinical expertise is important to me. However, the way we bond with our patients is also important, and I'd like to lead with care and show that I care for my team so that they can care for their patients.” “She never talks at us, rather she converses with us, involves us in decision making and leads by example,” added Tamrat. “Through her actions reminds us that every patient on the unit is the responsibility of every nurse she constantly creates a safe work environment for everyone. Delivering Care Excellence Bernice shares that extraordinary nursing means that you give it your all. “You show up to take care of that patient who is number one. You not only taken care of the patient, but you might also be taking care of the family and handling whatever concerns that they have because they're ultimately going to be bringing that patient home.”

Geriatric patients being cared for at the Roseville Medical Center are in trusted hands according to Narlyn Llamas MBA, MSN, RN, GERO-BC, Nursing Professional Development Specialist and NICHE Coordinator. “We made a concerted effort to launch and support NICHE, or Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystems Elders in 2020,” said Llamas. “We encouraged staff to become Geriatric Resource Nurses (GRNs), resulting in 120 nurses graduating from the program in just a few years.” "They are now champions on all our units,” explained Llamas. “Our GRNs take a leadership role to educate co-workers about the unique challenges and risks this patient population faces, identify gaps in units, and promote change in practice to improve patient care and safety.” Through their specialty training, GRNs provide more care to the over 65-year-old inpatient population and are fully knowledgeable about a wide range of geriatric syndromes such as depression, delirium, malnutrition, frailty, falls, and pressure ulcers. Becoming a GRN is also a steppingstone toward obtaining Gerontological Nursing Certification (GERO-BC). With the support of the Regional Patient Care Services and Nurse Scholars Academy, the Professional Development Council of Roseville’s Voice of Nursing led by Summer Malepeai, RN, GRN and Llamas, a GERO-BC review course for nurses was organized to help prep for the exam. Fifteen NCAL hospitals participated with a total of 171 nurses attending the course, of which 45 were from Roseville. Since the start of NICHE, there are now eight GERO-BCs in Roseville, and more are becoming certified. “Nurse engagement on this journey has been incredible — and is propelling us to new heights,” said Gertrude M. Tiangco-Alba, MSA, RN, Roseville’s Associate Chief Nurse Executive. At the end of 2023, the Roseville hospital was recognized as an Age-Friendly Health System Participant by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). The GRNs were inspired to pursue this recognition for Roseville after attending the NICHE conference in April 2023. The recognition validated the 4Ms framework that is integrated in the care of the older adults. In 2024, the team of GRNs is working towards the second and highest level of the Age-Friendly Health System recognition which is called Committed to Care Excellence.

“There is always a chance we could have an emergency situation where a baby is unexpectedly born at our facility, so we need to be prepared,” explained Barbara Lee Urnes, BSN, RN, Emergency Department Staff Nurse IV at the Fremont Medical Center, where services for labor and delivery, neonatal care, and pediatrics are handled at their sister-facility in San Leandro. “I knew the perfect person to help me prepare for such an emergency,” added Urnes. “I was able to turn to San Leandro NICU nurse Heather Wynne, BSN, RN, who also happens to be my daughter, to assist me in identifying the most up-to-date equipment and supplies needed to revamp the Fremont Emergency Department Neonatal Resuscitation Bag, and the associated protocols to support our Emergency Department in using the new equipment.” Incorporating insights into current practices and newer supplies, together the mother-daughter team created an updated list of equipment and streamlined documentation to ensure the resuscitation bag is checked regularly and restocked as items expire.  “We talk work stuff all the time, but it was nice to share knowledge from the NICU, and support the Fremont ED team,” said Wynne. “This partnership between Barbara and Heather demonstrates qualities of a highly reliable organization — especially between sister facilities who provide seamless care to our members in the GSAA,” said Christopher Neilson, MHA, BSN, RN, NE-BC, Fremont’s Chief Nurse Executive/Chief Operating Officer. “Their efforts ensure that we are prepared in the event of a neonatal emergency.”

Mary Briones-Gomez, MSN, RN, CHPN, was awarded the 2024 Extraordinary Nurse Award – Continuum Leader of the Year. She is the Supportive Care Services Department Manager in the Greater Southern Alameda Area and has worked for Kaiser Permanente since 1998. In her role, she manages the palliative care team of nurse practitioners, registered nurses, medical social workers, and an administrative staff member.  Prior to her leadership role, Mary was an advice nurse for continuing care, a case manager, and clinical practice consultant in palliative care. “Mary is the ideal manager," her team said in the Extraordinary Nurse Award nomination for Briones-Gomez. "She leads by example with kindness, understanding, flexibility, humor, and transparency.” Inspiration for Nursing “I come from a family of nurses, and they inspired me growing up – seeing these strong, intelligent women who loved making a difference in patients' lives while also taking care of their families,” said Briones-Gomez. “I was always drawn to an occupation where I could help and serve the public.” Leading with Purpose “I lead with purpose by being accountable, advocating for my patients and team, providing access to care for seriously ill patients – many at the end of their lives – and providing knowledge to help nurture others,” said Briones-Gomez. “My purpose is to care for and support my family, patients, and my team the best I can. It brings me joy at home and at work,” added Briones-Gomez. Briones-Gomez team credits her leadership for improving employee satisfaction, as demonstrated in People Pulse scores between 2022 and 2023. “She creates a culture of celebration in the department and knows everyone's birthday, work anniversary, and acknowledges all major life milestones,” they said. Delivering Care Excellence “Extraordinary nursing to me is the dedication to providing compassionate care to support patients, families, and colleagues to make a difference every day,” said Briones-Gomez. “Additionally, my nurse colleagues are compassionate, exceptional nurses who go the extra mile to help others in their personal and professional lives,” Briones-Gomez said. “They inspire me to learn and strive to do the best job I can do every day.”

“NO Foley… No CAUTI,” was a concerted effort to eliminate Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs) through an evidence-based Foley Catheter Removal Protocol at the Antioch Medical Center. The initiative propelled Antioch Medical Center into the Top 5 for the lowest CAUTI rates within the Northern California region, from October 2022 to August 2023. “As nurses, we take care of patients 24/7, and this protocol was revised multiple times with constant input from our Urology Department,” said co-lead and CAUTI Champion Mhagsy Celestino, RN. “The team attributes our success to remarkable interprofessional collaboration, uniting nurses, physicians, infection preventionists, and quality experts.” Originating from an intensive quality improvement endeavor, this protocol marks a significant cultural shift towards a motivated and accountable care environment. “We even had a comprehensive protocol for monitoring, wherein once the nurses document the Foley catheter, we instantly have the computerized data and our ANMs also diligently help us monitor for success,” added Celestino. “This achievement underscores the profound impact of compassion, teamwork, and evidence-based practice on patient care.” The protocol’s success is sustained by ongoing education, creative outreach, and enduring change. “An educational ‘roadshow’ and innovative strategies, including a music video, to engage and educate nurses, resulted in significant participation and feedback. We were able to reach a lot of nurses through education and we got an 85% return rate from other services including flyers and a huddle guide we created,” said Celestino. “Antioch Medical Center’s battle against CAUTIs exemplifies the power of professional governance and collaborative initiatives in driving significant patient care improvements,” added Celestino. “This protocol grants nurses the autonomy and independence to do what’s best for our patients.”