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"Nestle Vitug exemplifies the characteristics of an excellent nurse. She has integrity, competence, commitment, and the communication skills that set her apart," said Eugenia Ventura, MSN, RN, CMSRN, Vitug's teammate at the Kaiser Permanente Vallejo Medical Center. Nestle Vitug, MSN-NI, RN, PCCN, SNIV, known to colleagues as "Twinkle," is the new magnet program director for the Kaiser Permanente Vallejo Medical Center and a 17-year Kaiser Permanente employee. Inspiration for Nursing "My father, a physician, weekend charity medical consultations to indigent patients and free medications gifted from medical representatives deeply influenced me. This experience significantly inspired me to pursue a career in health care," said Vitug. Her teammates also inspire her, and she mentors many of them. "True inspiration comes from my nursing colleagues — the immense, often untapped potential within them." "It's gratifying to help uncover and nurture this talent through my mentoring, watching it flourish into innovative solutions that propel our profession forward," said Vitug. Leading with Purpose Vitug found her true purpose through the Voice of Nursing — "Empowering her colleagues to strive for nursing excellence and highlighting the exemplary work of the many dedicated nurses in our hospital," she recalls. "Our council and nurse leaders propelled Vallejo to become the first Kaiser Permanente facility in Northern California to achieve Magnet designation,” said Vitug. “Her strong communication skills, backed by a master's degree in informatics, and her knowledge in medical telemetry make her a trusted expert in disseminating important information for the patient through different user-friendly systems,” said Ventura. "Additionally, her knowledge in medical telemetry makes her one of our experts who teaches refresher courses in code blue and cardiovascular topics during the annual nursing skills day," adds Ventura. Delivering Care Excellence Vitug’s passion for nursing is encapsulated by a quote from American entrepreneur Andy Dunn, "Passion provides a purpose, but data drives the direction."

"Suki exhibits integrity by protecting patient rights, respecting cultural differences, and maintaining humility," said Earl Laih, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, clinical nursing director, Kaiser Permanente Fresno Medical Center. Sukhjeet “Suki” Sahota, RN, is the service lead for the Sports Medicine Department, the orthopedic co-service lead, and a 14-year Kaiser Permanente employee. Inspiration for Nursing "At the age of 7, I had surgery for a ruptured appendix. The nurses who wheeled me into the operating room made me feel comfortable, explaining each step in the process. It was then that I decided I wanted to become a surgical nurse to ease other people's fears as they encountered the scary world of surgery," Sahota recalls. Leading with Purpose "I lead with purpose by treating all my patients like family members going into surgery," said Sahota. "Surgery can be stressful for patients and their families, so I ease their worries by keeping them informed." As a member of the Care Committee, Sukhjeet works with management and members from different PeriOperative departments to discuss ways to make each patient's surgical experience a positive one. As a result, Sahota developed "Change your Steps" initiatives, including how the operating room nurse finds the patient's family and relays when the patient is out of surgery. These steps help ease the families' stress and prepare them for recovery, the next phase of their surgical journey. Delivering Care Excellence "My purpose as a nurse is to be a calming presence, creating an environment that is organized and free of worry for all my patients entering the surgery suite. I ensure my patients feel as comfortable and confident as possible before and during surgery. I also provide reassurance, letting them know I will be with them every step of the way," said Sahota. "One day, a patient requested her "sword" be brought into her operating room. As a woman of Indian heritage, Suki informed us a sword, also known as a Kirpan, is an article of faith for a baptized Sikh. It symbolizes generosity, compassion, and service to humanity," stated Laih, describing how she is sensitive to her patients' needs, cultural beliefs, and wishes.

"Being a Home Health Nurse requires compassionate nursing where critical thinking, listening, communication, and teaching skills are required to care for patients in their homes — this is Amber," said Karen Franchetti, RN, Amber's teammate at the Santa Clara Medical Center. Amber Avina, BSN, RN, is a clinical services supervisor in the Continuum and a three-year Kaiser Permanente employee. Inspiration for Nursing Amber's journey to nursing began at fifteen, during a chaotic day at Surf Cincinnati Water Park where she worked as a lifeguard. "A wind burst caused several medical emergencies — cardiac arrest, a woman went into labor, and someone lost consciousness. The day was chaotic, but everyone coming together to help made me realize I love helping others," she recalls. Working at KP, she is inspired by the fact that staff have a voice and a voice that is heard. "My colleagues support each other in the field and the office, providing exceptional care to our patients," said Avina. Leading with Purpose Amber leads with purpose by setting an example for her colleagues. "I don't ask others to do or perform a task that I am unwilling to do myself. I embrace open-door communications by remaining approachable and encouraging a speak-up culture," said Avina. "Amber's critical thinking, compassion, and exceptional care experience help set up other home health nurses for success," stated Mikee Ona, PT, quality director in the Home Health and Hospice Department at the Santa Clara Medical Center. As a member of the Santa Clara Home Health Readmission Reduction Performance Improvement Project, Amber plays a key role in readmission initiatives. Her work includes eliminating waste to improve efficiency in care delivery and helping patients and caregivers better understand their care plan," he added. Delivering Care Excellence "My purpose is to provide quality and compassionate care to our members to aid them in meeting their care goals to avoid hospital readmission," said Avina. "Amber plays a pivotal role in managing daily clinical operations, including overseeing employee safety and working closely with health care providers and physicians to ensure the highest standard of patient care." "Amber practices heart math to help alleviate stress, allowing her to remain composed and intuitive, which ultimately helps her deliver excellent care to patients. We are lucky to have Amber on our team," declared Ona.

"Kelli's patients repeatedly remark how well cared for they feel during leader rounding and how Kelli's clear communication about expectations and timeframes help them better understand their emergency department journey," said Damian D. Gulbransen, MD, service director at the Santa Rosa Emergency Department. Kelli Cox, MSN, RN, CNL, is an emergency department (ED) nurse at the Santa Rosa Medical Center and will celebrate 21 years with Kaiser Permanente in December 2024. Inspiration for Nursing "Witnessing the incredible care and compassion given to my grandmother during her battle with breast cancer inspired me to become a nurse. I realized the importance of healing moments and establishing intimate connections with patients," said Cox. "My nursing colleagues also inspire me with their unwavering dedication, resilience, and compassion. Their ability to remain calm under pressure and their commitment to providing high-quality care motivates me to strive for excellence," said Cox. Leading with Purpose "I lead with purpose by setting a positive example, fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment, and continuously seeking ways to improve patient care," said Cox. "As the chair of the People Pillar Committee, Kelli plays a pivotal role in driving positive change. She aligns the committee's efforts with the shared goals of improving staff morale and gratitude," said Gulbransen. "Her clear communication and love of education ensures everyone on the committee is engaged and dedicated to the mission," she added. The People Pillar Committee is a shared governance group of ED frontline staff. Its purpose is to address anything related to people. Currently, the committee focuses on transforming the department's culture by reducing feelings of burnout through positive recognition and enhanced communication. "Staff love receiving 'Kapow Kudos,' a new form of appreciation the committee introduced for team members to recognize one another," stated Gulbransen. Delivering Care Excellence "Kelli is passionate about incorporating evidence-based practice (EBP) into her patient care. She created an EBP rounding project where nurses and techs check on patients every hour. Because of this, patients feel well-attended and safe in our care," said Gulbransen.

"Sandra is an excellent and skilled Labor and Delivery nurse and a nurse leader whose expertise is sought-after across the region," said Carolyn B. Leonard, MSN, RN, CNS, RNC-OB, C-ONQS. Sandra Vargas, Staff Nurse IV, BSN, RN, CPLC, is a 22-year Kaiser Permanente Labor and Delivery (L&D) nurse at the Redwood City (RWC) Medical Center and named a 2024 Extraordinary Nurse. Inspiration for Nursing "One day, while babysitting for a friend, I found a book titled A Child is Born by Lennart Nilsson. After reading some of it, I became fascinated by the miracle of birth and life. Twenty-two years later, it continues to amaze me. Each birth feels like a true blessing and miracle," said Vargas. "I'm inspired by my colleague's leadership skills and how they advocate and go above and beyond for their patients. Their dedication and teamwork make Kaiser Permanente Redwood City a special place," said Vargas. Leading with Purpose "I lead with purpose by connecting to my work on a deeper level. Working side by side with all members of my team — nurses, midwives, doctors, managers, etc., allows me to create a shared vision, ensuring everyone is working toward a common goal of providing the best care to our patients," said Vargas. As the chair of the Maternal Child Health Unit Council, a role she has held for over ten years, Sandra oversees monthly meetings of nurse representatives, facilitates the meetings, and is accountable for the deliverables produced from this work. "Sandra is the Regional Perinatal Loss Coordinator for Northern California and leads a group of nurse champions from each facility committed to this important work. She hopes to expand this outreach to other venues where perinatal loss can be experienced, such as the emergency department,” said Leonard. Delivering Care Excellence "Sandra creates checklists for nurses caring for patients experiencing perinatal loss and orders materials such as memory boxes, handprint kits, and pamphlets on grief," said Leonard. Her dedication to patient care always shines through. “For example, she encourages her unit to use the cuddle cot, helping patients have extra time with their babies,” explains Leonard. "Sandra is an extraordinary nurse who uses her talents and passion to improve the lives of patients and her colleagues. She is a tremendous asset to RWC Maternal Child Health," declares Leonard.  

“Belinda is an extraordinary Palliative Care nurse whose compassion and dedication shine brightly in every interaction with her patients,” said Lisa Moshiri, DNP, RN, CNL, CCM, Continuum Administrator in the Central Valley. “She possesses an innate ability to connect with individuals facing life-limiting illnesses, providing not just medical care but also emotional support and comfort during their most vulnerable moments.” Belinda Roy, RN, was awarded the 2024 Extraordinary Nurse Award for the Continuum for her work in Palliative Care at the Manteca and Modesto medical centers. She worked with Kaiser Permanente for several years before retiring this summer. Inspiration for Nursing “I have a need to be there for people,” shared Roy. “I had an instructor tell me once in nursing school, if you focused on your own assignment like you do with other people, you'd be student of the year.” “That always stuck with me,” she added. “I said, you know, but I don't want to be student of the year. I just want to help people.” Leading with Purpose “My purpose is to help our patients understand what's going on with them, and what their life care planning goals are,” explained Roy. “They don’t feel well while in the hospital, so I want to be sure when they leave, they have the tools and support to go home.” Delivering Care Excellence Ensuring patients and their families understand their disease trajectory, and what brings them back to the hospital is an integral part of her job, shared Belinda. “I want to have them to understand their illness and what their options are and arm them with the information to make informed decisions about their care,” she said. “Belinda recognizes the importance of actively listening to her patients, validating their feelings, and providing a safe space for them to express their fears and concerns,” said Moshiri. “Through her empathetic demeanor and genuine kindness, Belinda instills a sense of peace and comfort in those under her care, easing their journey through life's most challenging transition.” “Her extraordinary dedication to the field of Palliative Care serves as an inspiration to all who have the privilege of knowing her, leaving an indelible mark on the lives she touches,” added Moshiri.

Small, claustrophobic, and crowded are the words used to describe the old simulation learning lab at the San Jose Medical Center. “Our former lab was in a trailer, and it just was not a viable space,” said Richard Dansereau, MSN, RN, Nursing Development Specialist. Then, in January 2024, Luis Barberia, DNP, FNP, RN, CNL, Director, Nursing Development Professional, helped create a new learning/simulation lab, giving nurses a space to participate in didactic and hands‑on training. “The new lab was created so staff can have a safe environment to perform evidence‑based practices and simulations, to make and learn from their mistakes without the fear of harming someone,” said Barberia. “In addition to simulations, the lab has a classroom setting where staff can listen to lectures and use the computers to complete their education modules,” adds Rosa Moreno, clinical nurse educator. In the learning lab, nursing staff can participate in scenarios ranging from basic patient care to complex medical emergencies, like a code blue situation. “There’s also a pregnant mannequin that our labor and delivery nurses can practice on. We also have a crash cart training, so staff knows how and when to use it,” details Feliciano Posadas, MSN, RN, CNOR, Perioperative Nursing Professional Development Specialist. With the new lab, nurses get more hands‑on learning opportunities. “When you simply lecture, people remember 5, maybe 10% of the information, but when you have the chance to demonstrate and visualize, you get a lot more out of it,” explains Barberia. “Recently, a registered nurse in the operating room had a code blue situation, but knew exactly how to call for help, get a crash cart, and support the anesthesia provider with emergency supplies, all things she learned in the lab during her onboarding process,” sites Posadas. “The work done in the lab helps boost the confidence and skills of our nurses. It helps them provide competent care to our patients because that’s why we are here at the end of the day,” said Dansereau. The nursing staff values the new lab. A recent survey indicates high satisfaction with the lab, activities, materials, presentations, and instructors. “If I can summarize the new lab in one sentence, I would say it enhances clinical competencies of staff and builds confidence in our nursing employees,” emphasizes Posadas.

“Rex is a dynamic individual who possesses highly admirable characteristics, exceptional intellectual ability and maturity that allows him to make day-to-day critical decisions in the pediatric nephrology service department,” said Ari Auron, MD, Roseville Pediatric Nephrology. Rex Tapangan, BSN, RN, CNN, Case Manager, Pediatric Specialties, Roseville Medical Center, was awarded the 2024 Extraordinary Nurse Award – Medical Offices or Outpatient Services. His nursing career began nearly 30 years ago, and he has worked for Kaiser Permanente since 2007 in inpatient and outpatient adult services and the PACU before settling into his role in pediatric specialties. Inspiration for Nursing Born in the Philippines, Tapangan saw the United States as a beacon of hope and opportunity for his family. “You can be whatever you want,” he shared. “Nursing is a rewarding and noble profession. You're helping to make a difference in people's health and their lives,” said Tapangan. “I fell in love with nursing and the feeling when you make someone’s life less painful.” “My family, colleagues, and patients inspire me every day. It gives me the satisfaction when I do something that makes my patients much happier than when they came in,” he shared. Leading with Purpose “It all comes down to the patient’s well-being to me, to help them reach their optimal health — and that’s my purpose,” said Tapangan. “I always show up and give all I can to help my patients — kids and the parents.” “Rex consistently displays the core Kaiser Permanente institutional values of humanitarianism, professionalism, compassion, teamwork, excellence, integrity, and patient-and family-centric care,” added Auron. Delivering Care Excellence Collaboration and coordination with colleagues are key to delivering excellent care to his patients. “I advocate for my patients’ outcomes by partnering with colleagues, ensuring the patient’s needs are secure and cared for,” said Tapangan. “For example, I coordinate specialty medication orders with pharmacy, connect with social workers for financial and other assistance, and support them in getting other specialty appointments or ancillary services,” he said. Rex's work has significantly impacted patient care, consistently demonstrating the highest regard for patient care, satisfaction, and safety within the clinic setting.   “With kindness, compassion, and care, he will consistently work in communicating with our pediatric nephrology patient community. Since he joined the Pediatric Nephrology Service Department, we have seen the highest patient satisfaction scores," said Auron.

"Warm, kind, genuine, and caring" is how Jennie Matays, DNP, RN, CCNS, CCRN, EBP-C, FCNS, describes her colleague, Jane Jach, MSN, RN, PHN, RNC-OB, EBP-C. Jach is a 10-year Kaiser Permanente employee and the Nursing Professional Development Specialist (NPDS) for Labor and Delivery and Postpartum at the Roseville Medical Center. Inspiration for Nursing "My mother was an orthopedic nurse and often talked about the joy of having children, her experience with childbirth, and her connectedness during that time. I believe these experiences are why I ended up in labor and delivery (L&D)," said Jach. "My nursing colleagues also inspire me with their engagement and curiosity," said Jach. "They question why we are doing things, ask how to improve, and don't accept the status quo. Having a team who consistently looks for ways to improve the care we provide our patients is a gift," further explains Jach. Leading with Purpose Remembering that each person I touch is the loved one of someone helps Jach lead with purpose. "I know what it's like to be on the receiving side of health care," said Jach. Ten years ago, her husband was in a near-fatal car accident. Thankfully, with swift CPR and emergency surgery, he survived. "Being the loved one of someone dependent upon our health care system's skill, attention, and accuracy humbled me," states Jach. Delivering Care Excellence "Jane is an L&D nurse by training but quickly earned leadership roles within Kaiser Permanente," said Matays. Jach's love of education motivated her to join Roseville's Nursing Professional Development Department team in April 2022, leading educational initiatives and updating L&D policies and procedures. Additionally, Jach enrolled in the Fuld Institute in December 2022, becoming an Evidence-based Practice (EBP) mentor, significantly enhancing the EBP training program for the Roseville and South Sacramento campuses. Her leadership inspired frontline staff to ignite their spirit for clinical inquiry. Jane's leadership skills have been instrumental in kicking off a nurse-led research project in Roseville and helping guide the work of our Magnet Champion Committee. "Jane's impact on patient care and staff development is significant. She is an exceptional nurse, NPDS, and team member who always strives to enhance the quality of care and the professional growth of her colleagues," said Matays.