Fremont Hospital & Martinez Health Center

Alex has worked extremely hard serving both Fremont and Martinez as a psychiatric nurse. He goes above and beyond to provide comfort and support to his patients and to treat them with the care and respect they deserve during difficult and scary times. He approaches each patient with warmth and understanding, and ensures that they feel seen and heard. He also works to train new nurses and offer them knowledge and support as they take on the difficult task of learning to care for patients for the first time. He is someone that new nurses can count on for an empathetic ear and helpful advice.

San Francisco City & County

Despite the emotional difficulties involved in her job, Kendra specializes in visiting families in substance dependence recovery within their homes or residential programs to provide them with necessary resources, education, medical support, and sobriety maintenance. Most of the families Kendra works with are parenting sober for the first time, and her support is crucial to their continued success, safety, and sobriety within their families. Kendra loves to state that the purpose of her job is to make her clients independent and confident enough not to need her support anymore and to work herself out of a job.

As a woman of color, Kendra knows the importance of working with families in neighborhoods similar to where she grew up, especially considering the overwhelming disparity of families of color within the child support system.

She is a survivor of domestic violence, and she uses her strength and resilience to support her clients who may be experiencing similar situations. She is working on a dual-degree program at the University of San Francisco, pursuing her Master's in Public Health, Family Nurse Practitioner's license, and Doctorate of Nursing Practice. She is a nurse, a survivor, a champion, and my best friend.

Kaiser

I have known Mary for over 20 years. She was my preceptor way back then. I could probably say she trained 1/3 of the Emergency Dept staff over the last 32 years as an emergency room nurse. Not counting the countless paramedic interns- half of them have gone on to become paramedic firefighters. She has become a great mentor and friend to them; she had been invited to all their ceremonies, in which they received they firefighters badge. If Mary notices that a patient is having a birthday; she will go to dietary and get a slice of cake. She will then gather the staff to sing happy birthday. When a child is in the ED, it can be very scary on your birthday. Seeing the big smile on their face while the staff is singing Happy Birthday is priceless. Mary does so many things to help the staff in times of need. She does not brag about it. She get very humble in what she does. She has also taken on the responsibility to be the pediatric resource for the dept. She is also a PALS ( pediatric advance life support) instructor for Kaiser.

Mary’s middle name should be volunteerism and here's why:

1. Medical / triage coordinator for East Bay Standdown. This organization helps homeless veterans. Mary is an USAF veteran. She worked as a medic.
2. She takes 2 weeks of vacation to volunteer as a nurse at Camp Taylor for 17 years. This is a camp for kids born with congenital heart disease.
3. She helps on the medical staff for Special Olympics - for basketball and track & fields events that are held in Pleasanton.
4. She has been with Team Rubicon this group since 2017 - this is a veterans led disaster response team. 5. She just recently got accepted to volunteer with the Pleasanton Police department. She wants to give back to the town she grew up in. As you can see, Mary is a very special person, friend and mentor.

Kaiser Santa Rosa

Jacqueline is more than just a nurse by profession. It is who she is as a person. From a young age, she has been taking care of everyone. She is patient and selfless in a way that makes her one of the strongest people I know. As an involved mother of three young children, and a nurse helping the elderly in all the free time she gets, she is as dynamic and caring as a nurse can be. I know she makes a special impact not only on her patients, but on everyone she comes in contact with.

Jacqueline - a foot care specialist - regularly visits our elderly friend who suffers from dementia to treat and soothe his troubled feet. She does this pro bono. She takes time to listen to her patients, learn their story and embrace the wisdom they share. She also embraces the caregiver, who are often in the shadows, looks out for their needs as well. She is also on multiple committees and has submitted grants to enhance patient care in the hospital. Everyone that meets her quickly falls in love. Jacqueline an angel in disguise to so many.

SANE-SART and Kaiser Permanente

Kari's unwavering commitment to compassion, professionalism, and advocacy exemplifies the highest standards of nursing excellence. Through her dedication and selflessness, she has become a beacon of hope and healing for survivors of sexual assault in our community. As a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, Kari plays a pivotal role in providing compassionate care and forensic expertise to survivors of sexual assault. Her role is not merely confined to administering medical treatment, but extends to providing emotional support, validation, and empowerment to survivors during their most vulnerable moments.

Kari's ability to establish trust and rapport with survivors is truly commendable, as she creates a safe space where survivors feel heard, respected, and believed. She approaches each case with empathy, sensitivity, and a steadfast dedication to justice. Whether she is conducting evidentiary examinations, providing expert testimony in court, or advocating for survivors' rights, Kari's passion for making a positive difference shines through in everything she does. She understands the complex interplay between trauma and healing and tailors her approach to meet each survivor's unique needs. Kari's compassionate presence and unwavering support serve as a lifeline for survivors as they navigate the challenging journey toward healing and recovery.

In addition to her exceptional clinical skills, Kari is also a dedicated advocate for raising awareness about sexual assault and promoting prevention efforts in our community. She actively participates in outreach programs, educational initiatives, and collaborative partnerships aimed at eradicating sexual violence and creating a culture of respect and consent. Kari's impact extends far beyond the walls of the hospital or clinic. Her advocacy efforts have helped to break down barriers, challenge stigmas, and promote a greater understanding of the complex issues surrounding sexual violence. You are a true hero, and your contributions to our community will never be forgotten.