Nursing

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

Manager, Nursing Professional Development
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Administrators

Jessica Cuellar
Jessica Cuellar, BS
Administrative Officer II
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Diana Medina, BSN
Administrative Officer II
Leila Sadeghipoor Nursing Simulation Analyst
Leila Sadgeghipoor, MBS
Simulation Associate
Diana Chi LMS Senior Administrator
Diana Chi, ML
Learning Management System Senior Administrator
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Manuel Lemus
Learning Management System Instructional Designer

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

Kelley Anderson, MSN-Ed, RN, NPD-BC

Nursing Professional Development Specialist
Allison Boyrer Nursing Professional Development Practitioner Patient Education

Allison E. Boyrer, EdD, MS, BSN, RN

Nursing Professional Development Practitioner
Renee LaBrier

Renee LaBrier, MSN, RN, NPD-BC

Nursing Nursing Professional Development Specialist
Chia-Yen (Cathy) Li

Chia-Yen (Cathy) Li , Ed.D, MSN, RN, PHCNS-BC, CHSE, NPD-BC, EBP-C

Nursing Professional Development Specialist
Kristine Traxler

Kristine Traxler, MSN-Ed, RN

Nursing Professional Development Specialist
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Genna Amado, MSN-Ed, RN, OCN

Nursing Professional Development Practitioner

Cardiac

Sangyoung (Choi) Yu-Choi

Sangyoung (Choi) Yu-Choi, MSN-Ed, RN, PCCN-K, NPD-BC

Nursing Professional Development Practitioner

Critical Care

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Angelika Kerr, MSN, RN, CCRN, CNL, CPN

Nursing Professional Development Practitioner
Natasha Okonkwo Critical

Natasha Okonkwo, DNP, RN, SCRN

Nursing Professional Development Practitioner
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Open Position

Nursing Professional Development Practitioner

Emergency

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Ruth Arellano dela Cruz, RN, Ed D

Nursing Professional Development Practitioner
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Open Position

Nursing Professional Development Practitioner

Medicine

Nursing Professional Development Practitioner Erica Flores

Erica Charlene Flores, MSN, RN, PCCN

Nursing Professional Development Practitioner
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Daisy Samonte, MSN, RN, CCRN, CSC, CMC

Nursing Professional Development Practitioner

Oncology

Sarah E. Phillips

Sarah Phillips, DNP, MSN-Ed., RN, RGN

Nursing Professional Development Practitioner

Operative Services

Janeth A. Garcia Nursing Professional Development Practitioner Operative Services

Janeth A. Garcia, MSN, RN, CNOR

Nursing Professional Development Practitioner
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Kharen Palacio, MSN, RN, CNOR

Nursing Professional Development Practitioner
Sherilee Sagucio Nursing Professional Development Practitioner Operative Services

Sherilee Sagucio, MSN, RN, CNOR

Nursing Professional Development Practitioner
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Kayla Santiago, MSN-Ed, RN, CEN, CPAN

Nursing Professional Development Practitioner

Pediatrics

Jolene Knapp

Jolene Knapp, MSN, RN, CPN

Nursing Professional Development Practitioner

Perinatal

Angie Fletcher Nursing Professional Development Practitioner Perinatal

Angie Fletcher, DNP, RN, RNC-OB

Nursing Professional Development Practitioner

Psychiatry

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Bob Bencangey, DNP, PMHRN-BC, CEN

Nursing Professional Development Practitioner
Lisette Espana

Lisette Espana, MAN, PMHRN-BC

Nursing Professional Development Practitioner
Nicole Tunque Nursing Professional Development Practitioner Psychiatry

Nicole Tunque, MSN-Ed, RN, PMH-BC, NPD-BC

Nursing Professional Development Practitioner

Surgical

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Katherine Lejarde, MSN-Ed, RN, PCCN

Nursing Professional Development Practitioner