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“Mhagsy is an outstanding leader,” said her colleague at the Antioch Medical Center, who nominated her for the Extraordinary Nurse honor. “She led the Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI) quality team in achieving success, reducing CAUTI rates in the Antioch Medical Center — making our medical center number one in Northern California.” Mhagsy Celestino-Pingul, MSN, RN, CCRN, RNM, was awarded the 2024 Extraordinary Nurse Award – Clinical Adult Services. She started at Kaiser Permanente in August 2019 as an Assistant Nurse Manager on the 4th floor Medical-Surgical Unit. Today, as a bedside Intensive Care Unit nurse at the Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Center, her primary focus is to advocate for and ensure the well-being of patients. Celestino-Pingul describes advocating as building a strong rapport with patients and their families, understanding their needs, going above and beyond, and approaching every situation with caring hands and a compassionate heart. Inspiration for Nursing   As her grandmother’s primary caregiver, Celestino-Pingul cared for her when she was sick. “I realized I needed more knowledge and experience to care for her. This inspired me to go into nursing,” said Celestino-Pingul. “My colleagues inspire me, and I’m always open to learning from them. I am also thankful to have a supportive manager, Ramat Momoh, MBA, MS, CCRN-K, HCM, who inspires me with her vision for our unit — providing exceptional care and being the voice of change and improvement.” Leading with Purpose Celestino-Pingul shares, “I lead with purpose by actively participating in committee projects, implementing evidence-based strategies, and advocating for positive change. By doing this, I can ensure that my unit delivers the care and solutions my patients deserve.” Delivering Care Excellence   In her nomination, Celestino-Pingul was recognized for her responsiveness during an emergency. “Mhagsy was floated to another department when she heard a scream in a patient’s room and ran in without hesitation. She found the patient unresponsive on the bathroom floor. She called a code and started compressions while instructing the primary nurse to bring a crash cart and updating the patient’s physician,” describes her colleague. The patient and her family were thankful for her quick action. “I feel proud to work with Mhagsy.”

“With exceptional clinical and communication skills, Kristin engages patients and families after being discharged to address their needs, avoiding readmissions and helping them feel comfortable after leaving the hospital,” said a Fresno Medical Center colleague who nominated Kristin for the award. Kristin Rowden, MSN, RN, PHN, joined Kaiser Permanente in September 2015. Today, as an on-site liaison for the Continuing Care Department in the Fresno service area, she helps improve care coordination, timely discharge, and repatriation of members admitted to non-Kaiser Permanente hospitals. From placing referrals to skilled nursing facilities, to ordering durable medical equipment, she does whatever is needed to ensure patients receive the appropriate care. “Kristin is an excellent resource to other liaisons, assisting with coordination cases with the goal that no patient falls through the cracks,” said her nominator. Inspiration for Nursing “I wanted to work in health care since I was 15, when I got a job at a doctor’s office,” Rowden said. “While in nursing school, I was a teacher’s aide, a mentor, and a Veteran’s Administration extern,” explains Rowden. “My passion for supporting and caring for others continues through my role at Kaiser Permanente.” Rowden shares how she was inspired by her colleague. “Recently, a colleague advocated for a member to go home for hospice care. With my colleague’s hard work, the member went home and later passed away surrounded by loved ones, the way the member wanted.” Leading with Purpose “I lead with purpose by focusing on the patient, listening to their concerns, and aligning my care with their goals,” said Rowden. “Kristin is a game-changer in ensuring our patients have timely discharges from our partner hospitals or can come back to us in Kaiser Permanente Fresno sooner,” said Dr. Kevin Martinez, assistant physician in chief at the Fresno Medical Center. Delivering Care Excellence Her approach is reinforced in her Extraordinary Nurse nomination where it’s described that after meeting with a patient and their family, who was overwhelmed and resistant to engaging, she stayed the course to coordinate their discharge. “Kristin remained calm, listened, and did not allow emotions to take over. After following through with the planned coordination, the family expressed appreciation for Kristin's professionalism and compassion despite heightened emotions,” said her colleague.

A nurse for 12 years, Erica Dixon, BSN, RN, joined Kaiser Permanente as a Nurse Manager in the Perioperative Department at the Fresno Medical Center in 2023, and is named a 2024 Emerging Nurse Leader of the Year. “Erica walked into a leadership void and a had monstrous learning curve.  Despite that, Erica found her bearings quickly and was up in running within the unit at an extraordinary pace,” said a colleague who nominated her for the Extraordinary Nurse Award. “She quickly learned the flow of her new unit and the individuals that made up her staff. “ Inspiration for Nursing Dixon shares the diversity of the profession is what inspired her to become a nurse. “There are so many different avenues you can take but at the end of the day you are still helping others,” she said. “Nurses can make a big difference in someone’s life.” Leading with Purpose “As a nurse leader, leading with purpose involves aligning your actions, decisions, and behaviors with your core values, vision, and mission,” she explained. She takes the time to reflect on her personal values, as well as the mission and vision of our Kaiser Permanente, and looks for ways to contribute to the broader goals of providing excellent patient care and fostering a positive environment for her team. While new in her role, her nominator shared “Erica picked up extra shifts to support her staff, our providers, and most importantly our members.  She did this while leading from the front with her staff.  This provided credibility to her relationships, built trust with those around her, and made an impact on our patients we serve.” “My purpose as a nurse leader deeply influences how I show up to work every day,” said Dixon. “It drives me to lead by example, demonstrating integrity, compassion, and resilience in my actions and decisions. I prioritize open communication, active listening, and transparency to foster trust and collaboration among team members.” Delivering Care Excellence Dixon strives to empower and inspire my team to deliver the highest quality of care while also prioritizing their well-being and professional development. “I make it a priority to stay informed about current healthcare trends, best practices, and innovations, so I can effectively guide my team and adapt to evolving challenges and opportunities,” she shared. Since joining Kaiser Permanente, Erica has been involved in the Nursing Unit Council and several department committees. “This has allowed Erica to influence her staff and nudge the practice in the unit to support innovation, excellence in patient care, as well as personal growth and development,” shared her colleague.

“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.”