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Nursing Professional Development Pillar
Strengthening Skills. Inspiring Growth. Advancing Care.
Nursing Professional Development at UCLA Health strengthens the expertise, confidence, and growth of every nurse across the system. Through systemwide and population-specific education, orientation, competency development, professional governance, and certification support, we prepare nurses to deliver evidence-based, safe, and compassionate care. We further elevate practice by designing learning experiences tailored to inpatient teams and the diverse patient populations we serve, cultivating a competent, confident, and adaptable nursing workforce.
Cultivating professional growth to advance exceptional patient care.
Leadership
Kathleen Feldman, MBA, MSN, RN, NPD-BC
Hospital Affiliation: Health System
Professional Governance: Evidence-Based Practice Council, Professional Development Council, Research and Innovation Council
Bio |
Administrators
Specialty Areas
Nursing Professional Development Practitioner/Specialist - Health System
Nursing Professional Development Practitioners and Specialists enhance clinical excellence by designing meaningful learning experiences, supporting transitions into practice, and aligning education with the evolving needs of the system. With a commitment to improving population health through role competence, we empower clinicians at every stage to provide safe, compassionate, and exceptional care.
Education
Kelley Anderson, MSN-Ed, RN, NPD-BC
Programs: Relationship-based Care, Professional Governance
Hospital Affiliation: Health System
Professional Governance: Nursing Executive Council, Evidence-Based Practice Council, Professional Development Council, Transformational Leadership Collaborative
Allison E. Boyrer, EdD, MS, BSN, RN
Programs: Patient Education
Affiliation: Health System
Professional Governance: Unity in Diversity Council
Renee LaBrier, MSN, RN, NPD-BC
Specialty: Continuing Education, Cornerstone Certified
Hospital Affiliation: Health System
Professional Governance: Evidence-Based Practice Council, Professional Development Council
Chia-Yen (Cathy) Li , Ed.D, MSN, RN, PHCNS-BC, CHSE, NPD-BC, EBP-C
Programs: Nursing Simulation Program, Nurse Residency Program, Nurse Residency Mentor Program
Hospital Affiliation: Health System
Professional Governance: Evidence-Based Practice Council, Professional Development Council
Kristine Traxler, MSN-Ed, RN
Programs: Clinical Educator, In-Servicing, Initial and Annual Competencies, Nursing Orientation
Hospital Affiliation: Health System
Open Position
Programs: Student Placement, Preceptor Development, Professional Governance
Affiliation: Health System
Cardiac
Sangyoung (Choi) Yu-Choi, MSN-Ed, RN, PCCN-K, NPD-BC
Specialty: Cardiac
Hospital Affiliation: Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
Professional Governance: Evidence-Based Practice Council, Professional Development Council, Research and Innovation Council
Critical Care
Angelika Kerr, MSN, RN, CCRN, CNL, CPN
Specialty: Pediatric ICU and Pediatric Cardiothoracic ICU
Hospital Affiliation: Health System
Professional Governance: coming soon
Natasha Okonkwo, DNP, RN, SCRN
Specialty: Critical Care
Hospital Affiliation: Health System
Professional Governance: Evidence-Based Practice Council (CLABSI and Critical Care), Clinical Nurse III Council, Center for Nursing Excellence Advisory Council
Open Position
Specialty: ICU, Burn ICU, Cath Lab
Hospital Affiliation: Health System
Professional Governance: TBD
Emergency
Ruth Arellano dela Cruz, RN, Ed D
Specialty: Emergency
Hospital Affiliation: UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center
Professional Governance: coming soon
Open Position
Specialty: Emergency
Hospital Affiliation: Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
Medicine
Erica Charlene Flores, MSN, RN, PCCN
Specialty: Medicine/Geriatrics
Hospital Affiliation: Health System
Professional Governance: Evidence-Based Practice Council
Daisy Samonte, MSN, RN, CCRN, CSC, CMC
Specialty: Medical-Surgical
Hospital Affiliation: Health System
Professional Governance: coming soon
Oncology
Sarah Phillips, DNP, MSN-Ed., RN, RGN
Specialty: Oncology
Hospital Affiliation: Health System
Professional Governance: Evidence-Based Practice Council (Sepsis and Oncology)
Operative Services
Janeth A. Garcia, MSN, RN, CNOR
Specialty: Operative Services
Hospital Affiliation: Health System
Professional Governance: Structural Empowerment Collaborative Council, Evidence-Based Practice Council
Kharen Palacio, MSN, RN, CNOR
Specialty: Ambulatory Surgery Center
Hospital Affiliation: Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
Sherilee Sagucio, MSN, RN, CNOR
Specialty: Operative Services
Hospital Affiliation: UCLA West Valley Medical Center
Professional Governance: Structural Empowerment Collaborative Council
Kayla Santiago, MSN-Ed, RN, CEN, CPAN
Pediatrics
Jolene Knapp, MSN, RN, CPN
Specialty: Pediatrics
Hospital Affiliation: Health System
Perinatal
Angie Fletcher, DNP, RN, RNC-OB
Specialty: Perinatal
Hospital Affiliation: Health System
Professional Governance: Evidence-Based Practice Council, Structural Empowerment Collaborative Council
Psychiatry
Bob Bencangey, DNP, PMHRN-BC, CEN
Specialty: Psychiatry
Hospital Affiliation: UCLA Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital
Professional Governance: (coming soon)
Lisette Espana, MAN, PMHRN-BC
Specialty: Psychiatry
Hospital Affiliation: UCLA Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital
Professional Governance: (coming soon)
Nicole Tunque, MSN-Ed, PMHRN-BC
Specialty: Psychiatry
Hospital Affiliation: UCLA Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital (RNPH)
Professional Governance: RNPH Night Unit Practice Council, RNPH Transformational Leadership, Exemplary Professional Practice, Unity in Diversity Council