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"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.

In August 2023, Jocelyn Manalo, RN, a staff nurse at the San Francisco Medical Center, helped develop a new group, supporting recent graduates as they transition from students to nursing professionals. While Kaiser Permanente has an existing three‑month graduate support group focused on clinical knowledge, Jocelyn and team identified an opportunity to further support new nurses. “We decided we needed a way to support recent graduates with their education and give them a different forum where they can ask questions and discuss they don’t know a lot about with senior nurses,” said Manalo. The new group meets monthly, having anywhere between 4 to 8 students, allowing graduates to inquire about KP workflows, policies, procedures, clinical matters, and any other topics they feel are important. How has the new support group helped recent graduates? “You finish school and then you enter the workforce, working 4 to 5 days a week. It’s a very stressful time, so the new graduate group is an opportunity for them to come together, discuss shared experiences, and work with experienced nurses,” details Manalo. Typically, two topics are discussed at each meeting. Proper blood product administration is the act of giving any blood product and is an example of a topic discussed in the support group. “Giving blood can be daunting, especially for a recent graduate. There are distinct steps, and you need to understand what you are looking for in the patient as you administer it,” explains Manalo. New grad Jorrane Martin, BSN, RN, PHN, says the meetings have been invaluable in bridging the gap between theory and practice. “They’ve helped me understand the expectations of my role and how to navigate the complexities of patient care effectively. Hearing from fellow new grads about their experiences has provided additional insights and reassurance as we navigate this journey together.” The San Francisco Medical Center has retained 100% of new grads from the 2023 cohorts.

Lisa Tran, BSN, RN, a 6-year Kaiser Permanente employee, was initially hired as a patient care coordinator for continuum care on the skilled nursing facility (SNF) side. “Through the years, she has shown care and compassion for patients and colleagues. She has developed into a professional who goes above and beyond,” said her colleague Irene Morris, RN. Today, Tran is a Utilization Review Coordinator and the acting lead Quality Coordinator at the Martinez Skilled Nursing Department. Inspiration for Nursing “My dad passed away from a stroke when I was six months old, and I remember accompanying my mom to her doctor’s appointments as a child. His passing led me to want to know more about the human body, specifically, what happened and why it happened,” said Tran. “I’ve met with daughters whose fathers recently had a stroke, and in those moments, a part of me is still healing. I share how I can help the patient and their family have a positive outcome,” explains Tran. Leading with Purpose “While I juggle many responsibilities at work and in my personal life, I remind myself I can only accomplish so much, so I must learn to be patient and accept that change takes time,” said Tran. Early in her career, Tran focused on observing and learning from others. “I observed the best practices of my mentors and colleagues. I now feel a sense of confidence in my abilities and my contributions to my team,” said Tran. Delivering Care Excellence “Early in the pandemic, I asked my team if anyone wanted to be the point person for our 23 SNFs in the Diablo Service Area. Lisa volunteered as everyone feared the role of the “COVID Nurse.” She worked side-by-side with the local Contra Costa County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) Infection Control Team,” said Morris. She also visited the Diablo Service Area nursing homes, assessing their infection control practices and helping create the three major zones for COVID-19 isolation. “I look forward to making a difference in my patient’s lives,” said Tran.

“It’s like opening a Christmas gift when the report comes out,” said Amy Brammer, MSN, RN, TCRN, TNS, CEN, CAISS, CSTR, NHDP‑BC, referring to the bi‑annual benchmark report on trauma centers from the American College of Surgeons which ranked Kaiser Permanente’s Vacaville Trauma Center at a green diamond level – the highest quality ranking from the organization for Risk‑Adjusted Major Hospital Events in the all patients cohort indicating Vacaville is in the top 10% of the 528 trauma centers benchmarked. “We work so hard, to see the results it’s exciting for us,” said Brammer, who serves as the Trauma Program Director. Kaiser Permanente Vacaville is the designated Level II trauma center for Solano County. “The Trauma Center is truly the whole hospital,” explained Brammer. “All our teams are involved and come together to move mountains to ensure our patients receive top notch care.” Describing the trauma response team akin to a NASCAR pit crew, where a team of multidisciplinary colleague’s race to the emergency department when they hear a trauma activation paged overhead. In 2023, they heard that call over 392 times, responding to patients with traumatic injuries ranging from car, bike and jet‑ski accidents to victims of violence, such as stabbings. The team’s clinical expertise extends into the community. For example, they hold Stop the Bleed trainings to educate first responders and other community members how to control emergency bleeding after an accident or assault. There is currently a KP regional initiative to get all KP medical centers Stop the Bleed. Stop the Bleed was among five projects the Vacaville team shared poster presentations on at the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program Annual Conference. Other projects included mental health screenings of trauma patients, Teddy Bear Disaster Triage Training for local firefighters, performance improvement project on ICU bounce backs, and Trauma Resuscitation simulation training. “I am so proud of the team for their dedication to members and patients they treat in the facility, and the commitment to our communities they demonstrate through injury prevention, outreach and trauma education,” added Brammer.

Benson Tran, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CMSRN, joined Kaiser Permanente 7 years ago and is the Service Unit Department Manager for Adult and Family Medicine at the Petaluma Medical Office. The nursing field captivated his attention from an early age. Growing up, Tran overcame much adversity, which taught him the meaning of hard work. The passing of family members began his journey to search for answers in health care. Inspiration for Nursing “My nursing colleagues inspire me every day through their personal experiences, triumphs and struggles, abilities and limitations, and their strength and resilience,” said Tran. The birth of his son also reinvigorated a sense of inspiration, purpose, and patience. “As a father, I am committed to lifelong learning and believe that love, empathy, and education can coexist,” added Tran. Leading with Purpose “To be truly effective, I determine what those around me need so they have the tools to provide our patients with high-quality service. Leading with purpose is a collaborative effort, allowing for autonomy and dialogue,” mentioned Tran. He credits his purpose with taking care of the patients, but his role can only be successful with the support of his team. “It is important to foster a culture where everyone cares for one another to help overcome challenges.” Delivering Care Excellence “In January 2023, I transitioned to my current role as a Hypertension (HTN) Pharmacist, and Benson and I started working closely together,” said Shirley Heinemann, Ambulatory Care Pharmacist at the San Rafael Medical Center. That same year, the Petaluma facility ranked last regionally in the Crossing the Quality Chasm HTN metric at a rate of 73%. By December 2023, the Petaluma facility not only met the quality metric of 83% in HTN but increased the number of patients using the pharmacy by 30%, explained Heinemann. “Benson was an integral part of the facility’s turnaround,” said Heinemann. He worked with the HTN Pharmacy Service Department to review workflows, discussed the importance of blood pressure control in daily huddles, improved the environment for back-office blood pressure checks, and worked with Petaluma Adult Family Medicine to review physician performance regularly. “I would rank Benson among the top in his dedication, responsiveness, organization, and most of all, his personal touch to staff, colleagues, and patients,” stated Heinemann.

At Kaiser Permanente, ensuring patient safety is at the heart of care. The Medical Surgical unit, 3 West, at the Fresno Medical Center has long recognized the serious implications of patient falls, which can lead to extended hospital stays, additional medical complications, and decreased patient satisfaction. In response, the dedicated nursing staff has continuously sought evidence‑based interventions to minimize these risks. “The Med‑Surg nursing staff and care team are dedicated to keeping our patients safe,” said Lindsey Halstead, MSN, RN, NE-BC, 3 West Nurse Manager at the time of the project. “They approached this work with intention and thoughtfulness knowing that it would take a team approach to make a difference in the department.” In early 2023, the Med‑Surg Falls Reduction Team, comprised of nurses, assistant nurse managers, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse managers, thoroughly reviewed fall data from 2022. Key areas for improvement were identified, particularly in the use of bed and chair alarms. It was discovered that these alarms were not always used effectively, leading to delays in responding to patients attempting to move unassisted. Based on a comprehensive literature review, several targeted interventions were implemented. One significant change was the accurate documentation of Fall Scale Scores for all patients, ensuring that high‑fall‑risk patients were BEST IN CLASS promptly identified. Emphasis was also placed on purposeful hourly rounding, which includes checking on patients regularly to address their needs and ensure their safety. Additionally, the approach to shift huddles was revamped, now including the Fall Scale Scores and room numbers of high‑fall‑risk patients in the staff assignment sheets. This change ensured that all team members were consistently aware of patients at risk, leading to more timely and effective interventions. “We are proud of the work the Fresno Med‑Surg Unit Council has done to ensure a safe environment for our members,” said Ann Bindra, DNP, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CCRN-K, Magnet Program Director. “The Unit Council nurses make sure to keep the patient and family at the center of our nursing practice and the reduction of falls project is one such example. The team searched the literature and successfully implemented best practices which resulted in a reduction of total falls in the 3West unit over one year.” By March 2023, all Med‑Surg nurses had been successfully educated on these new practices, including in‑person training sessions on the updated chair alarm equipment, which proved to be more sensitive and effective. The commitment to these changes resulted in a significant decrease in the total fall rate per 1,000 patient days, dropping to an average of 1.24 over the remaining quarters of 2023. “This initiative demonstrates the power of collaboration and continuous improvement in providing the highest quality of care,” said Wendy Gospodnetich, MSN, RN, CNS, NE‑BC, Fresno Interim Chief Nurse Executive. “The team remains committed to patient safety, ensuring that every intervention is guided by the best available evidence and their shared commitment to nursing excellence.”