News

"In our work, it's essential to have people you can lean on. That's why the Emergency Department Director Leadership Academy (EDDLA) is so valuable. When we come together, we create a community," said Brandie Cherry, RN, BSN, MHA, Director, Emergency Services and Hospital-Based Services, Kaiser Permanente Sacramento. Every October, 21 emergency department (ED) directors from Kaiser Permanente Northern California gather for the EDDLA, a full-day, in-person program aimed at enhancing leadership skills and promoting collaboration. October 2025 marked the third year of the EDDLA. "As the creator and facilitator of the EDDLA, my goal is to create intentional space for ED directors to focus on leadership growth beyond daily operational demands and to strengthen connections across the region," stated Tracy Broce, DNP, RN, CNS, CEN, Regional Director, Strategy and Programs, The Permanente Medical Group. Investing in growth to keep KP the best The 2025 EDDLA focused on strengthening leadership skills, improving communication, and promoting resilience. A highlight of the event was a presentation from a chief administrative officer on communicating effectively with senior leaders. Directors learned practical strategies for framing ideas and highlighting their impact. "I left the EDDLA with actionable tips — like using data to craft compelling narratives, choosing action‑oriented language, and creating attention‑grabbing headlines," said Cherry. Kimberly Adams, MSN, RN, former ED service line director, Kaiser Permanente Roseville Medical Center, has attended the academy since its inception and continues to find the content valuable. She noted that topics such as financial stewardship are especially essential for ED leaders. "The academy gave me a clearer understanding of how to meet financial parameters without compromising patient care," Adams said. "We explored the organization's financial landscape and learned how to make informed decisions that balance efficiency with high‑quality care." Sharing knowledge, building community Emphasizing the value of informal connection, Broce explained, "We set aside an hour for lunch so directors can relax and talk about things unrelated to work." Lunch included informal activities, such as one director leading a painting activity. "Each participant created a canvas to take home—it was a wonderful way to spark creativity and strengthen team bonds," Broce said. Leadership development Last year, the academy introduced survival stories, a session where directors shared strategies for maintaining balance in high‑pressure roles. As part of this session, Adams led "Surviving to Thriving," highlighting resilience, staff alignment, and trust — lessons shaped by her leadership during the COVID‑19 pandemic. She also recommended incorporating the Omotenashi principle, a Japanese cultural concept that emphasizes anticipating others' needs before they are expressed, into ED's processes. "The Omotenashi principle helps create a psychologically safe environment that promotes a sense of belonging and trust," Adams said. To better anticipate employees' needs, Adams suggested that EDs proactively develop FAQs or quick-reference guides ahead of major projects or initiatives. Providing these resources in advance can help reduce uncertainty and ease the transition for new staff. She also shared several practical resilience strategies, including taking occasional full days off to unplug, pausing to breathe before responding to stressful…

Fremont intensive care unit nurse manager Arveena Balu, MSN, RN, wanted to make patient safety inspiring. To rally the team around preventing hospital‑acquired conditions (HACs), she and the team coined the catchy phrase “HAC No.” The work went beyond slogans. Nurses led evidence‑based projects focused on preventing harm, and strengthened communication and teamwork through daily huddles, mid‑shift check‑ins, and speak‑up practices, allowing teams to address concerns in real time. “Through a strong speak‑up culture, nurses and interdisciplinary partners prioritized early and safe mobility, getting patients out of bed whenever clinically appropriate,” Balu said. The Fremont unit achieved zero hospital‑acquired pressure injuries in 2025, demonstrating the impact of nurse‑led improvement work. Celebrating Excellence in Critical Care As a result of these efforts, the Fremont unit was one of the latest to earn a Beacon Award, a national honor from the American Association of Critical‑Care Nurses. The Beacon Award recognizes units that deliver outstanding patient care while also building a healthy, supportive work environment for nurses and the entire care team. To achieve this, many served on staff‑led teams that met weekly for months to collect data, review outcomes, and write examples that showed how their daily work made a difference for patients. On Dec. 22, nurses across the region celebrated seven Kaiser Permanente Northern California units that earned a Beacon Award in 2025. In addition to Fremont, intensive care units in Sacramento, South Sacramento, Vallejo, and Vacaville, plus Sacramento’s fourth-floor telemetry unit and a cardiovascular intensive care unit in Santa Clara. Previously, the Roseville intensive care and Santa Clara cardiothoracic telemetry units earned Beacon recognition, bringing the total number of Beacon‑designated units in Northern California to nine. “Beacon-designated units are role models nationwide, and this recognition is a true testament to the dedication and expertise of Kaiser Permanente nurses and care teams,” said Toby Marsh, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, Northern California Chief Nurse Executive and Vice President of Clinical Integration. “Their commitment to quality care and patient safety makes a difference in the lives of our members and patients every day.” Building a Healthy Work Environment A key part of the Beacon journey focused on creating a place where nurses feel heard, supported, and valued. Units completed a Healthy Work Environment Assessment Tool which evaluated areas such as collaboration, staffing, leadership, and recognition on the unit. In response, many teams improved shared governance, giving nurses a stronger voice in decisions about care, equipment, and workflows. Some units introduced new tools, like safer patient‑handling beds and emergency response equipment to reduce staff injuries while improving patient care. Professional growth was also a priority. While pursuing Beacon, more nurses sought Critical Care Registered Nurse certification and enrolled in master and doctorate nursing programs. These advanced degrees strengthen bedside expertise. “Focusing on advanced education and specialty certifications shows our dedication to High Reliability principles,” said Balu. “By valuing expertise and resilience, we ensure patients receive care from highly skilled clinicians while supporting professional growth and retention.” Fremont’s chief nurse executive/chief operating officer Chris Neilson,…

Nominations for the 2026 Extraordinary Nurse Awards are now open! Each of our Kaiser Permanente nurses is extraordinary – tell us which nurse inspires you! Nominate a colleague for one of our 34 coveted annual awards by Jan. 23. This is a great chance to recognize our nurses who provide outstanding care to our members and the communities we serve. All Kaiser Permanente Northern California nurses* are eligible including RNs and LVNs who work for KFH/HP and TPMG. The 2026 Extraordinary Nurse honorees will be celebrated at an in-person reception on April 30, 2026.  Nominate a colleague here.  There is a 200-word minimum on all nominations. Once you have your nomination ready, the form only takes a few minutes to complete!  Need inspiration? Learn about our 2025 Extraordinary Nurse Award recipients here. 2026 Extraordinary Nurse Award categories: Nursing staff: Appointment and Advice Care Center Advanced Practice (including NPs and CNSs) Care Coordination (PCCCN) Continuum (Hospice, Home Health and Skilled Nursing) Emergency Department Clinical Adult Services Maternal Child Health Nursing Professional Development (NPDs and Nurse Educators) Perioperative Services Medical Offices or Outpatient Services Nurse Leader: KFH Nurse Leader of the Year (Assistant Nurse Manager, House Supervisor, Manager, Director, CNE, Quality Leader, etc.)  KFH Emerging Nurse Leader (KFH Nurse leaders in their role for less than 2 years including Assistant Nurse Managers, Managers, Directors, CNE, Quality Leader, etc.) TPMG Nurse Leader of the Year (TPMG Department Managers, Service Directors, DONCP) TPMG Emerging Nurse Leader (TPMG Nurse leaders in their role for less than 2 years including Department Managers, Service Directors, etc.) Continuum Nurse Leader of the Year (COCSD, Nurse Leaders in Home Health, Hospice, Skilled Nursing, Rehab)  Friend of Nursing: Direct Care Partner (PCT, UA, EVS, etc.) Inter-professional Colleague (MD, PT, PharmD, etc.) Thank you for taking the time to nominate a colleague!   *Nurses who have received an Extraordinary Nurse Award in the past three years are ineligible.

Congratulations to Kaiser Permanente's newest DAISY Award honorees! The DAISY Award is a way for patients and their families, along with co-workers and volunteers, to recognize the extraordinary effort and compassion that our nurses display every day. Kaiser Permanente is a national DAISY Award hospital partner, and regularly recognizes nurses, nurse leaders and teams who meet the award criteria. DAISY Nurse

Katie Rolan brings much-needed medical supplies and hospital scrubs, mostly donated by colleagues, to Kenya. The Santa Clara nurse also trains health care workers. Pictured, Rolan, who goes to Kenya twice a year to volunteer, holds up one of the donated items.

When Rayne Soriano, Ph.D., RN, NE-BC, talks about nursing, he doesn’t just speak about care delivery, he speaks about belonging, equity, and leadership. That’s why his recent induction as a 2025 Distinguished Fellow of the Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing (ADLN) is such a meaningful milestone. “This recognition is deeply humbling and personal,” shared Soriano, who serves as Kaiser Permanente Northern California Senior Director for Professional Excellence, Research, and Innovation and President of AONL Hawai‘i. “It represents the collective effort of countless nurses and leaders who believe that compassionate, equitable care begins with how we care for one another.” The ADLN Fellowship is a national recognition honoring nurse leaders who have advanced justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion through education, research, policy, and practice. For Soriano, this honor reflects decades of work leading systems-level initiatives that integrate Caring Science, equity-centered leadership, and culturally grounded workforce development. Soriano credits Kaiser Permanente for shaping his leadership journey. “After 28 years here, Kaiser Permanente has empowered me to align my personal mission with our organizational vision. Through our Professional Excellence and Research programs, I’ve had the privilege of helping create environments where inquiry, healing, and belonging thrive.” The formal induction ceremony will take place this December in New York City, where Soriano will join other national nursing leaders including Kaiser Permanente’s Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Greg Adams. The award is both a celebration and a call to action, he says, “to keep mentoring emerging nurse leaders and ensuring every caregiver, student, and patient feels seen, valued, and supported.” Congratulations, Rayne!

The Kaiser Permanente Nurse Scholars Academy has served more than 4,500 nurses through its various educational offerings since it launched in 2015. Pictured, Amanda Sayaseng, BSN, RN, said the Nurse Scholars Academy is a major reason she has stayed at Kaiser Permanente.

As frontline caregivers, Kaiser Permanente nurses play a vital role in protecting the health of our patients and communities. Getting the annual flu shot is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce the spread of influenza — especially among our most vulnerable patients. The flu can lead to serious complications, hospitalizations, and even death, particularly for older adults, young children, and those with chronic conditions. By getting vaccinated, nurses not only safeguard their own health but also help prevent outbreaks in clinical settings where patients trust us to keep them safe. See why four of our nursing colleagues chose to get the annual flu shot.

Congratulations to Kaiser Permanente's newest DAISY Award honorees! The DAISY Award is a way for patients and their families, along with co-workers and volunteers, to recognize the extraordinary effort and compassion that our nurses display every day. Kaiser Permanente is a national DAISY Award hospital partner, and regularly recognizes nurses, nurse leaders and teams who meet the award criteria. DAISY Nurse