SPEAKER INTRODUCTIONS

Christopher K. Brown, RN   

 

I have been a psychiatric registered nurse for the last 20+ years. I started my career at Metropolitan State Hospital, in Norwalk, and worked my way up the leadership ladder over a period of 9 years. I started off working with chronic adult psychiatric patients. Then as a shift lead, I worked with adult psychiatric Jail unit patients. Within a year I promoted to the position of Registered Nurse Unit Supervisor, where I was responsible for the psychiatric care and treatment of 20 adolescent patients, supervised 24 Nurses and collaborated with the Psychiatrist, Psychologist, 2 Social Workers, and 2 Rehabilitation. I also held the position of Program Assistant and Nursing Coordinator for a program with 6 units. 

 

I spent the next 8 years working with Orange County Health care agency. Seven of those years were with Orange County Evaluation Treatment services (OC ETS). OC ETS is a psychiatric evaluation center for all Orange County. Patients were brought in rapid stabilization and evaluation. The goal was to free up the Orange county Emergency Departments and take direct admits from the streets and from the Local Police and Sheriff. My last year with Orange County Health care agency, I was a psychiatric utilization manager and a long-term care coordinator assisting psychiatric patients in to long term placement programs. 

 

Over the last 4 years, I have been with Kaiser Permanente. I started in Behavioral Health Care (BHC) Utilization management / case management (UM/CM). Now I am with the Case Coordination Center (CCC) Quality Improvement Department (QI). With the CCC QI, I helped develop the Residential Treatment Center (RTC) program for Southern California Kaiser Permanente members, I am a trained trainer for Behavioral Health InterQual Level of care Criteria and an Associate Improvement Advisor.

 

Robert Browning, PhD (h.c.)

Director for HeartMath Healthcare and a Senior Master Trainer. For over 22 years with HeartMath, he’s educated over 144,000 individuals in evidence based research and tools that transform stress into resilience and authentic care. Robert received an Honorary Doctorate in Human Caring and Caring Science from Dr. Jean Watson, “to honor devotion to the betterment of humankind through human caring – heart centered teachings and practices.” Robert leads the educational initiatives for nurses and care givers throughout all of Kaiser Permanente as well as: Brigham & Women’s, Stanford, and the Mayo Clinic. Robert is on faculty with Watson Caring Science Institute and adjunct faculty for the University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus, College of Nursing. Also, as Co-Vice President of Pathways to Peace, an official Peace Messenger to the United Nations, Robert serves as a UN Delegate to the Commission on the Status of Women. Robert graduated from U.C.L.A., Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, and his 20+ year focused research on the power of the heart, care and healing has informed the depth of his work, practice and message.

 

Alice Ducey

 

Alice Ducey is the Executive Consultant for Patti Harvey, RN, Senior Vice President, National Health Plan & Hospitals Quality. She joined Kaiser Permanente in 2007 working for the Internet Services Group where she oversaw Incident Management for kp.org. Following this, Alice joined the Northern California Privacy unit managing the access monitoring program for KP HealthConnect. In 2012, she transitioned to National Transplant Services where she led multiple projects including a co-design support program for caregivers of transplant patients.

 

Prior to joining KP, Alice worked for a series of start-up companies including OpenTable.com and Pandora. She moved from her home state of New Jersey in 1992 for a year of volunteer service at a Native American boarding school in Washington state, fell in love with the West Coast and has lived in the East Bay of Northern California for the past 25 years. 

 

She holds an Accounting Degree from the University of Scranton, PA.

  

Sylvia Everroad, MSN, RN

  Sylvia is the Chief Administrative Officer and Nursing Administrator for Kaiser Permanente 
  Medical Group in Southern California (SCPMG).

She is accountable for Ambulatory Clinical Practice as well as other specialty service lines which include the School of Anesthesia for Nurses, RN Professional Development and Research, Advance Practice/Retail Clinics, End Stage Renal Disease, California Children Services (CCS), SCPMG Revenue Cycle, and Social Services. She is the tri-chair for the Regional LMP Committee and is actively involved with the partnership on multiple levels.

 

Sylvia has a background in Critical Care and Emergency Trauma nursing, nursing education and Ambulatory Primary Care. She was previously the MGA at South Bay Medical Center and AMGA at San Diego Medical Center.

She holds a master’s degree in Nursing Administration and a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from The University of Texas at Austin. She has lectured at UC Dominguez Hills and for the American Academy of Ambulatory Nurses (AAACN).  She is published in Nursing Management.

 

 

Lina Najib Kawar, PhD, RN, CNS

 

Dr. Lina Najib Kawar, PhD, RN, CNS is a Nurse Scientist who joined the Kaiser Permanente SCAL Regional Nursing Research Program team in July, 2014. Dr. Kawar received her BSN from the University of Jordan and completed her MSN from George Mason University in Virginia. After receiving her PhD from University of Rochester in New York, she accepted a post-doctoral fellowship at St Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana.

 

Dr. Kawar brings a wealth of knowledge and diverse experience. She has numerous publications and presentations, with a focus on immigrant/minority women, health, and culture. Her research expertise on immigrant/minority women is recognized nationally and internationally.  Dr. Kawar’s ground breaking scholarly activities among Arab immigrant women was acknowledged by MDLinx internationally and Who’s Who nationally.

 

Dr. Kawar has participated on numerous nursing research studies and filled a variety of national and international leadership roles and positions. She served on national and international organizations’ committees, including Council for Advancement of Nursing Science, Sigma Theta Tau, Oncology Nursing Society, and Transcultural Nursing Society. Her faculty member experiences at major universities have included University of Jordan, University of Rochester, St Mary’s College, Azusa Pacific University, and California State University Long Beach. These experiences assisted in establishing Dr. Kawar as a recognized scholar and educator at the undergraduate and graduate level.

 

Dr. Kawar is intensely committed to the health and well-being of patients and their families. Her current focus is directed toward advancing the health of KP members by investigating issues related to patient outcomes and high quality and safe nursing care in the acute care setting. Her passion is evident in her commitment to adhering and meeting the highest standards of professional and work ethics. Her knowledge and background makes Dr. Kawar a scholar with substantial promise. The Southern California Nursing Research program is very excited to have her on our team!

 

 

 Lolita C. Manigbas, RN, MN, CPHQ

 ·         Licensure:          

Registered Nurse California (1982 to present)

Registered Nurse New York (1980 – 1982)

Registered Nurse, Philippines (1978-1980)

·         Education:         

Master in Nursing, University of California Los Angeles (1984 - 1986)

Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines (1973 - 1978) (Honor: Cum Laude)

·         Years of Experience:     

40 years as Registered Nurse (21 years in Quality, and 19 years of inpatient clinical experience)

Quality Director, KP Case Coordination Center (February 2015 – Present)

Quality Manager, KP Case Coordination Center (7 years)

Quality Nurse Consultant, KP Baldwin Park Medical Center (4 months)

Interim Quality Director, KP Baldwin Park Medical Center (8 months)

Quality Coordinator: (9 ½ years)

KP Baldwin Park Medical Center (8 years)

KP Bellflower Medical Center (1 ½ years) 

Clinical Nurse Specialist – Critical Care, KP Los Angeles Medical Center (9 years)

Staff Nurse (8 years):

Cardiothoracic Surgical Intensive Care Unit, University of California Los Angeles

Respiratory Intensive Care Unit, University of California Los Angeles

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit/ Pediatric Floor, Lincoln Medical Center, New York

Medical/Surgical Floor, Santo Tomas University Hospital, Philippines

·         Areas of expertise: Quality and Critical Care

·         Addition Information: 30 years of service at KP

 

  

Connie Merritt, BSN, RN, PHN

A seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience of speaking nationally with leading companies, organizations and associations in the consumer sales, service and healthcare industries, Connie Merritt, BSN, RN, PHN, is a compelling storyteller and award-winning author with an established reputation of connecting with audiences in a humorous and energetic manner to help move them to action.

A business owner and registered nurse with a passion for research, writing and communicating to professionals, Connie understands people, processes and the dynamic influences of today’s diverse, hi-tech, multi-generational, mobile world – at our doorstep, today.

Connie has a gift for providing essential content with step-by-step tactical teachings to help people breakthrough to “next” – while motivating them by spinning unforgettable teachable moments. 

In her latest book released from McGraw-Hill, Too Busy For Your Own Good, she has helped millions of people and organizations make vital adjustments to manage change and maintain focus in a world demanding multiple decisions and responses to lists of requests – especially during these opportunistic and changing times.

 

 

 

Aileen Oh, MSN, RN

 

Aileen Oh has been a Registered Nurse for 18 years. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing at Mount Saint Mary's College and her Master's Degree in Nursing Administration at UCLA. She has worked in ambulatory for the past 9 years. She is responsible for coordinating the work of the Ambulatory Care Practice Leaders as well as collaborating with multiple stakeholders to ensure high quality care, scope of practice, compliance, safety and education & training in ambulatory care clinical practice is in compliance with the Nurse Practice Act, The Joint Commission (TJC) and federal and state requirements throughout the Southern CA region.

 

 

 

Christina Recinos, RN, MSN, FNP-BC

 

Christina Recinos holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Texas, a Master’s Degree in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner from California State University Los Angeles and a doctorate degree from Azusa Pacific University. She has spent her professional career in a variety of clinical and administrative/executive roles at LAC+ USC Medical Center, multiple community clinics and the Veterans Administration. She joined Kaiser Permanente in 2016 and currently serves as the Regional Director for advanced practice and  Target Clinics, where she oversees practice of nearly 1600 advanced practice providers across the SCAL Region and is responsible for operations and expansion of the Target Retail Clinics.

 

 

Hazel Gaddi Torres, MN, RN

Hazel Torres is currently the director of Kaiser Permanente Southern California’s Regional Professional Development and Research for Ambulatory Care Services. Her nursing career of 25 years has given her experience in both academia and practice, staff and management roles, in-patient, skilled nursing and ambulatory care. Throughout, she’s been guided by her passion to ensure that nursing in any setting makes a positive difference in the lives of people and communities served. She strongly believes that nurses are the true patient advocates and she strives to “advocate for the advocates” in whatever role she assumes within the health care system.

In her current role, she’s helping to develop programs to enhance the care provided by current staff through evidence-based practices and the pursuit of ambulatory nurse-sensitive indicators. She’s also collaborating with clinic and academic leaders to identify the best strategy to prepare our future nurses to practice in the healthcare environment that is rapidly changing.

 

Lori A. Viveros, MPH

 

Ms. Viveros leads the regional integration of Life Care Planning through infrastructure development, strategy design and implementation for Southern California. She has an active role in developing communication plans, outreach strategies, and creating productive partnerships with key stakeholders. Prior to joining Kaiser Permanente, she was the Administrative Director for a Center of Excellence program through the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. She has a Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma methodology and earned her Master’s in Public Health from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Ms. Viveros is passionate about enhancing the care experience for Kaiser Permanente members and optimizing the care delivery system across the continuum of care.

 

 

 

Susan Wang, MD, FAAHPM

 

Dr. Wang supports two KP national quality initiatives – Life Care Planning and Shared Decision-Making. Efforts include development of the E-POLST, implementation of care directives activity tab, LCP training and integration of decision support around preference-sensitive conditions. She is Co-Investigator on a $14 million PCORI award “A Non-Inferiority Comparative Effectiveness Trial of Usual vs Technology-Facilitated Home-Based Palliative Care in Older Adults with Advanced Illness and Their Family Caregivers”. She also serves as Chief of the WLA Dept of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine; founding Program Director of the LA Palliative Medicine Fellowship; and Assistant Clinical Professor, UCLA School of Medicine.

 

 

 

Nikki West, MPH

 

Nikki West is Director of Healthcare Education Management at Kaiser Permanente, funding healthcare workforce development initiatives, with a focus on increasing diversity.  She has over twenty years of experience in nonprofit, online education and management consulting sectors.  Prior to Kaiser Permanente, Nikki served as a Director of California’s state nursing workforce center, HealthImpact, advising and developing programs for healthcare executives and educators to optimize the value of nurses in a time of rapid industry transformation.  She has authored several publications on healthcare and higher education gaps. 

 

Nikki earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, San Diego and a Master’s in Public Health degree from the University of California, Los Angeles.