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“Veronica is a dynamic, high-energy leader. She always places the utmost priority on her patients and their families, embodying compassion, teamwork, excellence, integrity, and patient- and family-centric care in every facet of her leadership,” said Nicole Gilmore, RN, former Assistant Nurse Manager at the Walnut Creek Medical Center. Veronica Hernandez Carvajal, MBA, BSN, RN, was named a 2024 Extraordinary Nurse, Emerging Nurse Leader and serves as the Assistant Nurse Manager in the Intensive Care Unit at the Walnut Creek Medical Center, where she has worked since 2021. Inspiration for Nursing Shortly after her family moved to the United States, Carvajal's mother experienced a severe asthma attack. During that time, she was touched by a nurses’ care. “A critical care nurse went above and beyond to explain her condition and reassure me that my mom would be okay,” Carvajal said. “That moment gave me hope and comfort when I needed it most, and I promised myself I would pay it forward by becoming a nurse and offering that same compassion to others.” Leading with Purpose Carvajal leads with purpose by being an active and present member of the nursing team each day. “I start by clearly communicating our daily goals, setting expectations for compassionate care, and making myself readily available to support my team’s needs,” she said. Delivering Care Excellence “Compassion is the heartbeat of Veronica's leadership style,” said Gilmore, who nominated Carvajal for the award. “While she maintains an energetic persona, she never loses sight of the human aspect of health care.” Carvajal encourages her team to embrace kindness and create meaningful, caring moments with each patient. “I understand firsthand the impact of these moments, as I was once a scared daughter, wishing for more time with my mother. Those small acts of kindness can leave lasting impressions, and I strive to make sure our patients experience that same comfort and empathy,” she said.

Two Kaiser Permanente Northern California nurse leaders were inducted in the 2024 Class of Fellows of The American Academy of Nursing at the Academy’s annual Health Policy Conference held recently in Washington, DC. Among the group of a distinguished nurse leaders being inducted for their substantial and sustained impact on health and health care were Sharon Hampton, PhD, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, WCSI Caritas Coach®, Chief Nurse Executive at the San Leandro Medical Center (pictured left above); and Elizabeth Scruth, PhD, MPH, RN, CNS, CCRN, CCNS, FCCM, FCNS CPHQ, Northern California Executive Director of Clinical Quality Programs, Data Analytics and Tele-Critical Care (pictured right above). Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN) represent nursing’s most accomplished leaders in policy, research, administration, practice, and academia. Hampton is recognized for her lifelong dedication to advancing equity, inclusion, diversity, and belonging (EIDB) principles in health care, and her unwavering commitment to being a voice and advocate for historically excluded populations. Her research exploring how nurses contribute to inequities has garnered national and internal recognition. As a nurse leader, Hampton is committed to transformational and inclusive leadership. Her work embedding EIDB principles and the Watson Caring Science Theory into nursing education/practice, provide nurses the common language to achieve their higher purpose and transform their practice from knowing and doing to providing the caring-healing environment. “My life’s work, rooted in my PhD research, is centered on ameliorating health inequities,” said Hampton. “The FAAN nomination and induction represents the culmination of my efforts to address the complex challenges within our health systems and to co-create a more equitable and caring future in health care.” Scruth, who has been with Kaiser Permanente for over 30 years, said the designation as a FAAN is humbling. “I am very honored to have been recognized and acknowledged for my contributions to nursing and the scientific community,” she said. “The accomplishments, outcomes and level of impact required to have demonstrated to be inducted is significant and takes many years to achieve.” Scruth’s career as a nurse began at the bedside in the ICU. She became a Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist and served in various leadership roles within the organization before joining the Northern California Quality team. She has also served on the Certification Board of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses for 8 years. Throughout her nursing career spanning 2 continents, Scruth has continued to focus on research, including co-authoring published international guidelines for family-centered care in the neonatal, pediatric, and adult ICU, and best practices in tele-critical care. Congratulations Drs. Hampton and Scruth!

When nurses at the Sacramento Medical Center restructured their professional governance council late last year, the projects they took on quickly made an impact on the organization. Over 70 nurses from units throughout the medical center participate in councils focused on quality, safety, care experience, professional development, evidence-based practice and wellness. “This diverse group of staff nurses are the decision-making body over nursing practice at our medical center,” said Joel Mallari, DNP, RN, ACNS-BC, NPD-BC, NEA-BC, Magnet Program Director at the Sacramento Medical Center. Among some of the projects they have implemented through the councils were a new inpatient fall precaution bundle. After discovering the socks worn by patients at-risk for falls were a different color in the emergency department and inpatient units, the Quality Council decided to standardize the fall bundle which resulted in more streamlined and consistent practice across the facility. Using data and evidence showing that 98% of patients cared for in Sacramento were adults, the Quality Council researched, and in partnership with Supply Chain, recommended a new pulse oximeter to be rolled out for use across the medical center to improve their practice. “The transition was seamless because nurses were involved in the process,” said Mike Eizikowitz, Sr. Manager, Supply Chain. “It was the right thing to do to provide the best care for our patients, and also provided substantial cost-savings for the organization.” Nurse engagement soars Quality Council Chair Alana Martin, MSN, RN, an ICU staff nurse II, says nurses are more engaged in learning about council projects, and collaborating with nurses from other units. “Gathering monthly for our council meetings helps foster relationships with nurses we might not otherwise cross paths with during our daily work or have the opportunity to learn from.” “There is a heightened appreciation of what the governance council does to support nurses and patients,” added Mallari.  He’s also finding nurses are now more interested in participating in committee work and advancing up the clinical ladder. Results of the recent RN Excellence Survey demonstrate nurse engagement and satisfaction in Sacramento outperformed national benchmarks, a significant step as they work towards Magnet designation. “It’s exciting to see nurse engagement soar at the Sacramento Medical Center,” said Esperanza Chavez, MSA, BSN, RN, Chief Nurse Executive. “It’s about nurses owning their practice and making decisions on the practice of nursing – and providing the best care to our members and communities across Sacramento.”

“Dorothy Laine exemplifies what a caring, equitable, extraordinary nurse should be,” said a colleague who nominated her for the award.  Dorothy Laine, RN, is a staff nurse II in the Center for Laser Surgery Department at the Union City Medical Offices and a 40-year Kaiser Permanente employee. Inspiration for Nursing Since she was a child, Laine wanted to become a nurse. "My parents supported and fostered my interests by exposing me to hospitals, paramedics, and more. I also was born and raised as a Kaiser Permanente member," said Laine. Leading with Purpose “I lead with purpose by treating my patients as if they were family,” said Laine. Laine has worked with the LGBTQIA+ community for the past eight years, “providing gender-affirming services and pre-operative laser treatments to help patients become a step closer to their true selves," said her nominator. "Our services are very intimate, vulnerable, and intimidating for patients, but Dorothy always knows how to make each patient feel safe by explaining their care plan, assisting them in contacting the right departments, doctors, and advocating for additional care services," said Laine's colleague. Delivering Care Excellence "I love my patients. I'm dedicated to teaching, advocating, and learning from them," said Laine. Her colleague further shares, "Our patient demographic faces numerous stressors impacting their mental health.  Dorothy has been instrumental in helping many patients connect to vital mental health services." "She proactively bridges care with psychologists and social workers on behalf of her patients. I’ve also seen her go into our mental health psychology department and obtain the number to the on-call psychology doctor, ensuring her patients receive the care and support they need. Despite her busy schedule, she always prioritizes her patients' and ensures they are well cared for." During her tenure at Kaiser Permanente, Laine has worked in the neurological intensive care unit, emergency services, urgent care, dermatology, and now laser dermatology. “She is a committed lifelong learner, emphasizing that she gains insights from her patients every day. Dorothy's top priority is to ensure that everyone feels secure and well-cared for under her watch,” emphasized her nominator.

"Pamela embodies what it means to be an extraordinary nurse leader. She lives the Kaiser Permanente mission and values and cultivates the same in her leadership teams and staff," said Christina Prajna James, RN, quality director, Home Health and Hospice, Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center. Pamela Son, MSN-BSN, PHN, is the interim service director for the Home Health and Hospice (HHH) department at the Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center and is an 8-year Kaiser Permanente employee. Inspiration for Nursing For Son, nursing is not just a profession but a personal calling deeply rooted in her upbringing. "I grew up in an extended family, where I saw many people caring for sick loved ones, friends, and spouses. It became an integral part of me to be sincere and care for those who need help. These life experiences inspired me to become a nurse," said Son. "I'm also inspired when I see nurses work together selflessly, empower each other, positively impact patients and their families, and share the same passion for continuous process improvement," she added. Leading with Purpose Purpose and reflection define Son's leadership style. "I lead with purpose by reflecting on what I have done right for patients, members, their families, and coworkers, and then use my knowledge to help develop others in their roles," she said. As the Northern California Home Health and Hospice representative with Cardinal Health at Home (CHAH) medical supplier, Son's leadership skills have driven significant changes. "Her efforts in reorganizing, tracking, and managing medication orders have led to substantial financial savings and brought about greater efficiencies for our staff," said Prajna. "She maintains a strong partnership with CHAH, providing regional and local training for all HHH staff. Her regular meeting with CHAH ensures she is always up to date with supply/back orders and delivery updates." Prajna adds. Delivering Care Excellence As Interim Home Health and Hospice Service Director, Son evaluates and updates processes to benefit patients and staff. For example, she ensures the initial referrals to HHH are provided promptly. Prompt referrals lead to timely care, preventing patients from returning to the emergency room and thus reducing readmissions. She orients new clinical supervisors and strives for more home tracer visits, which evaluate patients' quality of care. "By doing more home tracer visits, staff are provided more support and guidance, and they can complete tasks more efficiently and to a higher standard," said Son. Son actively promotes open communication and staff empowerment through a speak-up culture. She ensures that rounding happens for all staff and immediately takes action to address and improve systems. "Pam also ensures that kudos celebrating staff accomplishments are hard-wired into our staff huddles/meetings, fostering a culture of recognition and empowerment," stated Prajna. "We are all very fortunate to have Pam Son in a Continuum leadership role," said Prajna.

As many parents can attest, taking a child to get a flu shot or a vaccination of any kind can cause stress, anxiety, and tears. “As children get older, they become more aware and fearful of needles. When this happens, some kids really refuse to get vaccinated or it becomes very stressful, even traumatic,” said Judy Moreno, MSN, RN, CPAN, RN‑BC, Santa Clara perioperative clinical manager. Moreno and colleagues at the Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center identified an opportunity to provide the seasonal influenza shot to vulnerable patients between 6 months and 18 years old. They would give them the shot while under anesthesia for planned procedures or surgery, such as gastroenterology diagnostic tests, eye surgery, or dental restoration. Santa Clara is the first Kaiser Permanente facility in Northern California with a flu vaccination program targeting surgical pediatric patients. During this initiative’s inaugural 2023 flu season, 202 patients were inoculated this way. “The impact, so far, has been quite encouraging,” said Greg Neukirchner, MD, pediatric anesthesiologist. He presented the idea to Santa Clara colleagues after learning about perioperative vaccination programs during a Society of Pediatric Anesthesia meeting. Considered a success with young patients at Santa Clara, the program then expanded to offer the vaccine to developmentally challenged adults. The benefits “The benefit of administering the flu shot while under anesthesia is it’s done seamlessly during a planned event,” said Moreno. “It’s really a non‑event for the patient.” During a patient’s pre‑op appointment, the medical team informs the parent or guardian of the option to receive the flu shot during the procedure, and the day of, they can opt‑in to receive the shot. “We have received a lot of positive feedback from many families, with especially positive responses for those patients with either needle phobia or disabilities where interactions in a health care setting is stressful,” said Neukirchner. “It’s a lot less stress on everyone, and they can receive the optimal preventive care they deserve.” The program captures children who are at more at risk for complications associated with flu. “It’s an important opportunity to protect this population, as many of them are at greater risk because of other health concerns,” explained Moreno. “The more children we can vaccinate, the healthier our communities are.” A best practice The Centers for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics both recommend providing the influenza vaccine to children and teenagers while under anesthesia for a surgery. With preparations underway for the 2024 flu season, the Santa Clara team hopes to exceed last year’s vaccination numbers. They seek to share their learnings and best practices with colleagues at other Kaiser Permanente facilities. Moreno and colleagues will present a poster at the Kaiser Permanente National Nursing Conference in September.

"Dr. Palacios is a national leader in birth equity and an excellent clinician and educator of obstetrics-gynecologist residents," said Neet Arant, PhD, CNM, MS, Certified Nurse Midwife.  Janelle Palacios, PhD, CNM, MSN, RN, is a Certified Nurse Midwife at the Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center, a nurse researcher, and a 13-year Kaiser Permanente employee. Inspiration for Nursing "In my home community, the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana, I witnessed family members and friends become parents at a young age because of circumstances, limited life opportunities, and oppression inherited from intergenerational trauma. I saw the need to care for families holistically and found nurse midwifery, research, and health policy advocacy to be the path to promote healing and wellness," said Palacios. "My nursing colleagues inspire me with their passion for supporting families during childbirth and beyond. Supporting families during a pivotal time is not limited to the moments of care but includes the work leading to those care moments my treasured colleagues participate in, such as reviewing internal data and fostering multidisciplinary collaboration," said Palacios. Leading with Purpose “Janelle's leadership style is not about individual achievements but our team’s collective strength. She believes in framing her work with the words 'we' and 'us,' ensuring inclusivity and shared responsibility, said Arant. Palacios is deeply committed to improving maternal and child health outcomes in Kaiser Permanente's Oakland Medical Center and all hospitals nationwide. "She regularly engages with high-level government officials, sharing her insights on the experiences of American Indian women in the birthing and women's health space, plus discussing how to enhance maternal health outcomes for all families," said Arant. Delivering Care Excellence Palacios is the East Bay's chair of the supporting vaginal birth team, a team dedicated to improving vaginal delivery rates at the Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center to align with California's standards. “Since becoming chair, the team has implemented multidisciplinary unit culture changes, such as team rounding, warm hand-off meetings with patients and their care team, and messaging campaigns embracing increased nursing skills," said Arant. As a researcher, Palacios mentors obstetrician-gynecologist residents, assisting them in conducting research studies and submitting them for internal review and is currently the primary investigator of the nation’s largest study evaluating morphine rest in early labor. Her role as a nurse midwife influences Janelle’s perspective on labor management. She considers the whole person in relation to their labor status and the baby to identify interventions for optimal delivery outcomes and experiences. "I am honored to be a nurse midwife clinician, educator, and researcher in an environment that embraces and allows me to flourish. I am thankful for my colleagues in the Labor and Delivery Unit at Kaiser Permanente,” declared Palacios.  

A day with horses reminds nurse leaders to breathe and cultivate self-awareness. Pictured, nurse leaders and horse therapy facilitators get in tune with horse energy during a silent meditation at The Pony Express ranch near Santa Rosa, California.

“See one, do one, teach one,” is a philosophy guiding labor and delivery nurse Jenna Ricks‑Cosens, MSN, RN, PHN. Ricks-Cosens was among a group of 5 Kaiser Permanente Roseville Medical Center team members, including another nurse, a midwife and two physicians, who traveled to Sierra Leone in May to train local health care providers. The Kaiser Permanente care team was led by Joanie Seacrist, CNM, a Roseville certified nurse midwife and founder of Hawa’s Hope, an organization created to help promote safe birth in Sierra Leone, which has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in West Africa according to the World Health Organization. The cost of the teaching materials for the trip was sponsored by nurse leaders at the Roseville Medical Center. The team shared their vast knowledge and years of clinical expertise in a series of lectures, and hands‑on skills and simulation trainings at midwifery schools on topics including team communication, how to protect the health of an expectant mom, and complications which can arise during pregnancy and childbirth such as hypertension, sepsis, hemorrhaging, and obstructed labor. “We had them practice as if they were providing real patient care by walking through a scenario that escalated or became emergent,” said Jane Jach, MSN, RN, PHN, RNC‑OB, EBP‑C, nursing professional development specialist. “They were able to practice hands‑on, real‑time responses and develop their muscle memory for critical thinking.” “With each trip we are working towards capacity building,” added Seacrist. “I could go and deliver 100 babies, but I can also go and train 100 midwives.” Empowering care + measuring impact Hands‑on training is their secret sauce, according to Janel Crawford, MD, Roseville OB/GYN, and co‑director for Hawa’s Hope. “People and companies like to donate equipment and other things, but nobody gives them any training on how to use it, or the teachers on how to teach it. And so, it just sits there.” “If you can teach people, then there’s a ripple effect and they teach others,” said Andrea Sherman, MD, OB/GYN. Initially planning to deliver their workshops to about 200 people, they ended up with nearly 300 participants at a handful of midwifery schools, and accommodated a group of physician residents who heard they were in town. To assess how well they were able to reach the goals teaching the midwives, they administered tests before and after each workshop. Overall, they saw a 13.6% increase in knowledge. A rewarding experience “The joy and resilience of midwives there was palpable despite the adversity and the conditions they are working in,” shared Jach. “The experience helped solidify my own nursing knowledge and bettered my practice,” said Ricks‑Cosens. “Going into a different country and having to pull yourself out of your own life and putting your own bias aside, it gave me a whole new perspective.” “I honestly walked away from this experience really knowing in my heart we’ve saved women even though we didn’t directly touch any patients,” added Sherman.

"Rob is a one-of-a-kind human being who is truly dedicated to his work, team, and the department," said Dionne Weadon, MSN, RN, Service Director, Anesthesiology-Inpatient department, Sacramento Medical Center. Robert "Rob" Galli is the senior staff assistant in the Anesthesiology-Inpatient department at the Kaiser Permanente Sacramento Medical Center and is a 26-year Kaiser Permanente employee. Inspiration for Health Care Galli's connection to Kaiser Permanente is deeply rooted. "I grew up in Sacramento as a Kaiser Permanente member, and my brother was born at the Medical Center on Morse Avenue," said Galli. This shared history with Kaiser Permanente as an organization, coupled with the encouragement of a close friend who was a Kaiser Permanente employee, led Robert to apply for a job, beginning his journey with the organization. His colleagues also inspire him: "The professionalism of our nurses and physicians inspires me. Their knowledge of the anesthesia practice and commitment to our patients is commendable. Sacramento Anesthesiology has a fantastic group of providers, and I am proud to be part of the team." Leading with Purpose "Leading with purpose means leading by example. I try to remain true to myself and my core beliefs. I enjoy helping those around me and treating all people with dignity and respect," said Galli. Galli's leadership is evident in his actions. "He often arranges his time off to ensure the department is not left without administrative/staffing support. His reliability, effectiveness, creativity, hard work, and passion for his work and the team are all testaments to his leadership qualities," said Weadon. Delivering Care Excellence "My purpose is to be a high performer at work for the good of the department, for our staff and patients, and to uphold my standards of excellence. I take pride in showing up to work every day and caring for the people I have the privilege to serve," said Galli. Galli's adaptability and willingness to learn are also noteworthy. “When I became department chief, I suggested modifying our daily scheduling to make it easier to access Kaiser Permanente's intranet. Despite this change affecting his workflow, he was 100% onboard. He quickly learned the new system and jumped right in, making our daily work much easier,” said Weadon. “Rob's dedication is also evident in his behind-the-scenes contributions. He assists with all the administrative tasks for our Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, including scheduling, approving timecards, and assisting with payroll,” said Weadon. “I appreciate Rob more than words could ever express and he has been there for the team through challenging times. He has a great attitude and is appreciated by everyone in the department,” added Weadon.