Sunny Lea Johnson 1980
35 years CCRN @ St Mary's Medical center in San Francisco. Also 20 years as home care nurse at Clark HC and MGH and finally SVNA home care here in Marin. Advanced certs as staff nurse 4 including wound care, IV therapy and mentoring. Ten years volunteering in Marin Medical Corps. 20 years in US Army medical reserve corps. Retiring as captain. Currently volunteering in medical clinic at Guide Dogs.
Colleen Kemp 1980
I worked as a critical care nurse (trauma ICU) then a post anesthesia care nurse (PACU) at a variety of different hospitals including Highland Hospital, UCSF, San Francisco General Hospital, Kaiser Hospital, and Marin General Hospital until 2002. In 2002 I received my Masters in Nursing and Clinical Nurse Specialist certificate in Integrative Health from Dominican University in San Rafael. From 2002-2013 I worked with Dr. Dean Ornish at the Preventive Medicine Research Institute in a variety of roles, including Director of Operations. I served as adjunct faculty teaching Professional Role Development to Masters in Nursing students at Dominican University. I'm currently working with Healthways, Inc. as Vice President of Ornish Lifestyle Programs (since 2013).
Joan Rinaldi 1980
To prepare for the RN program’s pre-requisites, I took classes part-time for several years while raising our 5 children. We had great experiences at our clinical sites – even meeting at 5:30am to drive to Highland Hospital in a carpool. After graduation I worked at MGH in the cardiac unit for 5 years. We were very fortunate to have Jackie Jewell (COM Alumna) as the head nurse. She gave us great orientations, fabulous on the job training experiences and was a wonderful leader and role model for the entire team. I had the pleasure of working as the Administrative Assistant to the COM RN Program for 17 years and retired in 2015. It was very rewarding working for the department and meeting new applicants and students as they started on their nursing career path. Over the years, it has also been a pleasure to see graduates in the clinical settings as a patient’s family member. Even though I wasn’t able to work as nurse as I had planned, I have been connected to nursing and specifically to the COM RN Program for over 35 years.
Mary (Marcy) Amonette 1981
While I was at Nursing School, I ran cross country and track for COM. This was the beginning of a lifelong interest in the health benefits of exercise along with nutrition and stress management. I have spent many years counseling people regarding cardiovascular risk factors, and I currently work in Cardiac Rehabilitation monitoring patients and encouraging healthy lifestyle habits. Five years ago I became certified in Holistic Nursing. I am forever grateful for my education in nursing at The College of Marin.
Salamah Locks 1981
30 yrs. front line nurse at UCSF. US Navy nurse for 22 yrs. as a reservist. Provided care for patients18 mos to 100 yrs. old. Adjunct Clinical Professor, and Administrator. BS and MS nursing degrees from UCSF, completing Doctoral studies at UCSF. Present position: Commissioner to Marin County Commission on Aging. Interests: advocacy, aging in place, minority health.
Meredith R. Burrell 1982
Entered Nursing Program at 38 with a degree in Foods and Nutrition from UC Davis and a Secondary Teaching Credential with several years’ experience in teaching and Food Service Mgt.
Work history after graduation:
Staff nurse at Novato Community Hospital and Marin General Hospital
Office nurse and Childbirth educator for an OB/GYN practice
Long Term Care insurance Underwriter with AMEX Life with advancement to Director of LTCI with GE Capital
Assisted Living Director for AlmaVia Assisted Living Community
Currently, I work for the Dept. of Health and Human Services for Marin County as a LTC Ombudsman.
Patricia Stoliar (Patricia Sloan) 1982
In the final months of nursing school I panicked, because the likelihood of my working weekends and nights in an entry level position was very great. As a single mother with two small children, I couldn't imagine how that could work, and seriously considered leaving the program. Thank goodness the wise instructors advised me to hang in there and see what developed. Miraculously, OB-GYN Gerry Wilner MD hired me to be the nurse for his incoming new associate, David Galland, MD. I was overjoyed to work Monday-Friday from 9 to 5 in my favorite specialty with a doctor I respect unconditionally. I worked there for nearly 17 years. Since January of 2014, I have dedicated a huge part of my community volunteer efforts to promote a World Health Organization initiative to have communities address the needs of aging adults called Age-Friendly World. As co-chair of Age-Friendly Corte Madera (with COM Nursing School instructor Carol Zeller!), I still use a good number of my nursing skills and am forever grateful for the exceptional education I received in the College of Marin Nursing Program.
Pattie Struck 1982
I worked as an RN for 20 years, the last 15 of which was in CCU. In 1997 I went back to school to get my BSN and in 2000 I entered a Master's program for FNP from which I graduated in 2002. Since then I have been working as a NP with a cardiology practice where I work with a great team of providers.
Carol (Molly) Johnson 1984
I began my nursing career at COM by earning my Associate Degree in 1984. This past June, I stepped down from an 18 month rotation as Assistant Director of the same program to return to full time teaching. If you had told me at graduation that I’d be back involved in this program someday, I would have been beyond skeptical … but here I am. What a crazy circle it’s been! My first nursing position was on UCSF’s renal transplant unit where I worked in critical care. In the late 80’s, I began working in the only AIDS/HIV private practice in Marin County with Dr. Milton Estes. Returning to school in 1995, I earned my BSN from Dominican University; my daughters, 3 and 8, were there to cheer for me at graduation. Oncology nursing became my vocation after both parents were diagnosed. Specializing in breast cancer, I co-founded a free breast exam clinic in San Geronimo Valley, and helped run the state’s low income screening program at Summit Oakland. A 3rd (!) return to school, at UCSF in 2005, secured me both my master’s degree and Clinical Nurse Specialist certification in perinatal nursing. Again, the kids were there to celebrate. Earning each degree has always been a family affair; their support of my lifelong learning has been essential to my success.
Elizabeth Marston (Elizabeth Whittaker) 1984
Upon graduation from nursing school I worked at Sonoma Valley hospital as a staff nurse. Since then I have worked at several other hospitals throughout the country. I married a Methodist minister so we have moved a little. I have practiced in California, Colorado, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Wyoming. I have worked in Med/Surg, PACU, ICU, oncology, Home Health & Hospice, community health, Head Start, Lyme vaccine research and in the clinic setting. I have also been an instructor for a Medical Assistant program. I have been an R.N. for 32 years and have not returned to get my BSN. I have been able to work in all of these areas as an ADN. Recently I have decided to go back to school to get my BSN then MSN so I can teach. You are never too old to go back to school!
Valerie Radloff 1984
I started at Shriners Hospital for Crippled Chlidren.in San Francisco on 19th Ave. I was hired on Nov.1, 1884. My fellow graduate Ingrid Armbrust was already working there. She thought it would be perfect for me, and in truth it was and still is. I have been employed with "The Shrine" for 31 years. I am currently still working for Shriners Hospital Northern California (it name since 1997) I have remained a staff nurse my entire career and will always love being at the bedside I fell blessed to be able to share such an intimate relationship with my patients and families. I like to think that they feel the same way.
Judy Vaughn 1984
Began working at UCSF on post-surgery floor. Soon the liver transplant team from Minnesota came to initiate work here- a very exciting time. Remained about 12 years then began work at Hospice of Marin (now Hospice By The Bay) as admission nurse. Had to retire in 2009 due to mobility issues. College of Marin Nursing was by far the best training I could have had and I am most grateful for it. It changed my life!
Kendra Downey 1985
I am so grateful for my nursing education at College of Marin. I was able to have a varied 30 year professional life in Nursing because of the depth and variety of my education. I was a midwife, childbirth educator, office nurse, clinic nurse and beginning in 1992 an OB/GYN nurse practitioner. I am retired now and happy to be able to pursue artistic endeavors, travel, help with grandchildren and take classes at COM!
Phyllis Reinhard (Phyllis Behm) 1985
With the exception of a brief three year adventure living in Wyoming I have spent my career at Kaiser Hospital Terra Linda in the in-patient setting. I have specialized in medical-surgical and pediatric nursing. I enjoy the challenges and energy that my unit provides, my patients and my co-workers. Getting my nursing degree at the College of Marin was the best decision I have made professionally. It is a fabulous program that prepared me both academically and clinically.
Therese Stanley Tatol 1985
Staff & charge nurse in San Francisco hospital PICU since 1987, including pediatric & neonatal transport. Immunization nurse (manager of VFC program) at FQHC in Petaluma since 2001. Member of California Nurses Association / NNU. Member of RNRN (RN Response Network)
Diane Donnelly (Diane Cafasso) 1986
Entered a new grad program in fall of 1986 at St. Francis Memorial Hospital, SF for a full-time position as float RN and progressed to Oncology nurse position becoming chemo certified and then after 3 years progressed to IVRN/Team becoming PICC certified and IV Nurse Educator for hospital. Received Core Values Award for Patient Justice. Resumed nursing studies in 2010 with University of San Francisco (Santa Rosa Extension Campus) and graduated in 2012 with MSN/Clinical Nurse Leader Certification. Attended multiple QSEN regional conferences as part of graduate school work and to support curriculum change at Santa Rosa Junior College - continue as QSEN champion for faculty on-going. Transitioned from adjunct instructor to full time faculty with Santa Rosa Junior College in 2013 as 3rd Semester MedSurg Faculty Coordinator and LVN-ADN Bridge Coordinator and achieved tenure in 2016. Remain with Santa Rosa Junior College; core faculty team member progressing new on-line course management system for nursing program and sit on Student Learning Outcomes committee to promote student success and meet college accreditation standards.
Michele Gillette (Michele van de Pol) 1986
After graduating in 1986, I was hired at The Veteran's Hospital in San Francisco where I spent one year. Fort Miley, as it was then called, had an excellent new grad program, which I was fully immersed in. Then with my one year experience “in hand ", I was hired at Marin General Hospital where I have worked on the Surgical unit for the last 28 (!) years. I have seen so many changes in the last 29 years. I believe my professional accomplishment has been to be an excellent bedside nurse, keeping current with the changing times, and with hard-earned experience that does not go unnoticed by my patients. And I have College of Marin to thank for all of this, I will never forget any of my instructors. Their encouragement and expertise at teaching was inspiring... and very effective. Almost 30 years a nurse, that speaks very highly of the COM Nursing Program.
Rose Taricco 1986
After graduation, I worked at Ralph K. Davies Medical Center in San Francisco (currently CPMC Davies Campus) on the med/surg unit. I worked with microsurgery patients, primarily hand surgery. . Dr. Buncke was world famous for transplanting a great toe to replace a thumb that had been severed on a patient. It was fascinating work. I then went to Marin General Hospital which is closer to my home. I worked on the medical unit with some floating experience to the surgical and cardiac units. I maintain an active professional license and enjoy attending CEU classes and reading CEU and other nursing/medical related materials. Currently, I am enjoying retirement and enjoying other activities which peak my interest.
Marie Zanoni-Begg 1987
I began my career at Mt Zion hospital on the Rehabilitation unit in 1987. Got my CRRN, and worked there for 5 years. Transferred to the adult dialysis unit in 1993, and have been there ever since! I also work in the Pediatric Dialysis Unit at UCSF, and am a seasonal flu shot nurse for Sutter Care at Home.
Margaret McLearie 1987
After graduation and notice of passing the Registered Nursing boards, I went to work at VAMC, San Francisco, where I worked as a staff nurse for many years. During this period of time, I was mobilized with the 6253rd Army Nurse Corp Reserve unit and spent 7 months on active duty, from Dec. 1990 through July 1991. I felt well prepared to work on the Maternal child unit at Ft. Ord, drawing from COM experiences in nursing school. When I was separated from active duty, I was presented with An Army Achievement medal for Maternal Child. I retired from VAMC in 2004 with certification in Gerontology. For the last ten years, I have worked for Sutter Health, Advantis and Maxim Health in per diem and part time positions. I am a member of the Sonoma County Medical Reserve Corp.
Anne O. Poore 1987
When I finished nursing school at COM, I worked as a staff nurse at Garden Sullivan Rehab Hospital, California Pacific Medical Center in SF and Kentfield Rehab. I received a Family Nurse Practitioner, Master of Nursing degree from Sonoma State University in 1996. I volunteered for 9 years at the Ritter Health Center and did H & P's for the Marin County Health & Human Services. I taught nursing as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Dominican University from 9/05 to 5/11. I recently retired from working in Dr. Park's office.
Leslie Schaaf 1987
The day after graduation Mt. Zion Hospital, then an independent hospital in San Francisco called me to come in for an interview. I was hired into the ICU training program on interim permitee. I passed the board, which in those days required two days of testing at the Sacramento Convention Center. I worked at Mt Zion for two years on the night shift in a very busy ICU. In 1989 I went to Marin General and spent six years in their ICU, mostly on day shift. In 1995, tired of the endless restructuring at Marin General, I left and worked as a staff nurse in the CVICU at Kaiser S.F. In 2001 I took a job at the Kaiser San Rafael ICU as a staff nurse, while continuing to work as a staff nurse at the S.F. CVICU for Kaiser. My College of Marin nursing education, fine community resource that it is, changed my life and allowed me to do this rewarding work.
Karen Lethbridge-Cadinha 1988
After graduating from the COM RN program I began work at Kaiser Hospital San Rafael as a Med Surg. Nurse. When Kaiser opened their Santa Rosa hospital, I transferred there and worked in Critical Care. In 1995 I became a volunteer for Hospice of Petaluma. Hospice work became my passion and eventually I became a Hospice RN there until moving to Trinity County in 2000. In Trinity County I managed Home Health, ER, OR and eventually became a Hospice RN for Mercy Hospice in Redding and St. Elizabeth Hospice in Red Bluff. I still keep my RN license current but am currently not working. I am enjoying my retirement, which includes spending time with my husband, 5 adult children and 9 grandchildren.....knowing full well that life is a precious gift.
Bo-bette Evans Minson 1988
I worked at Children's Hospital in Oakland, CA for 3 years in the Pediatric ICU. In 1992 I began working in Home Health in Sonoma County as an RN Case Manager. I have worked at several different Home Health Agencies in Sonoma County as a Case Manager and Manager. I was the Clinical Supervisor of the Mother/Baby/Pediatric program for St. Joseph Home Health for about 7 years. I am currently the Clinical Supervisor for Kaiser Home Health in Santa Rosa, CA. I manage a team of Registered Nurses, Medical Social Workers and Home Health Aides. I have been in my current position for five years.
Jane Adkins (Jane Faulkner) 1989
I started work at Marin General after graduation in the ICU/neuro unit. I then moved to Alaska and worked in the medical ICU. After a year there, I moved to Soldotna's Central Peninsula Hospital where I've worked the past 25 years. I currently work in the Emergency Department. Nursing has provided me a lot of opportunities to travel. I have gone across Alaska by dog team with the Serum Run providing education in the villages. I have also taught ACLS & PALS outside my area. I am an outdoor enthusiast and love horses and dogs.
Sarah Aitken (Sarah Fish) 1989
Worked at UCSF after graduation on Medical floor, then med surg, then labor and delivery. Went to UCSF Nurse Practitioner program and got a WHNP degree. Worked in Ob/Gyn for several years, then went to OHSU for post master degree Family Nurse Practitioner. Have been working as FNP ever since. PROUD of my Nursing history and my RN degree. Look very fondly at COM's training and the friends I made there.
Laura Avelar (Laura Martin) 1989
As a new grad I was hired at Kaiser San Rafael to work evenings on a med surg oncology chemotherapy floor. I met the best nurses there who will forever be in printed on my heart. After 3 years my life took a turn and I decided to try travelling nursing where I spent a summer in Arizona! My life journey turned yet again where I came back to my home in Marin where I was hired for a family based home care agency. I started on call visiting families in their homes and eventually became the assistant administration nurse! Life turned one more time with marriage and the birth of my daughter. I was lucky enough to be hired back at Kaiser this time in Petaluma working one day a week in the medicine clinic but with a home move to grass valley I now work and hopefully plan to stay at Kaiser Roseville where I am currently the charge nurse for the surgery clinic. I also managed to get my staff nurse 3 level!
Monica Jamieson 1989
Since I graduated from COM in 1989, I have worked at UCSF, the first four years as an organ transplant nurse. The last 22 years as a Labor and delivery nurse. I am also a Lactation nurse for the last 17 years. I was lucky enough to have worked as a reconstructive plastic and cosmetic plastic nurse in Mexico. I've had a very exciting life as a nurse and I have enjoyed every minute of it. Thank you COM.
Marsha Kobrin (Marsha Thomas) 1989
I began my career as a med/surg nurse. I did that while my kids were small, working only weekends so I could spend more time with my family. I went on to finish my bachelor's degree in nursing at SFSU. It was there that I was introduced to public health and fell in love with it. I had worked for the County of Marin for 12 years in women's health and another hodgepodge of other per diem positions until that program was eliminated. I have been working at Marin Community Clinics for the past 5 years also working with women in my areas of expertise in gynecology and obstetrics. My specialties are family planning and adolescent health. As a bilingual nurse in the County of Marin I have worked with generations of women helping them carefully plan the spacing and timing of their families, while supporting them during their pregnancies. I feel privileged to work in the same community where I live, and where I was trained as a nurse.
Peggy Lagomarsino 1989
After graduation, I worked on 9 Long at UCSF on what was then the liver transplant/major abdominal surgery floor. During that time, I applied for and was accepted into the last Bachelor/Maser class at UCSF School of Nursing. I received my BSN in 1991 and my MSN in 1993 after completing the Family NP program. I continued to work part time at UCSF while gaining some experience in the NP world which led me eventually into the field of addiction and Addiction Medicine. For the last 22 years, I have worked for Kaiser Permanente in Vallejo as an NP in the Chemical Dependency Recovery Program which I helped to build. I have thoroughly enjoyed working right at the interface of medicine and psychiatry for all those years. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with those with substance use disorders, helping them learn how to manage them and to believe in something more powerful than self-doubt.
Susan McConnell 1989
I was hired into the ICU @ UCSF straight out of COM Nursing School. It was UC's first ever new grad training program and all of us in the program, including Maureen Martin and I, were very successful. I still work there as an ICU Staff and Charge nurse. Many years ago, I decided to get my CCRN - an intense but absolutely worthwhile endeavor. This decision to become an RN when I was in my late 20's has been one of the best decisions of my life. It enabled me to work part time when my kids were little and be a great provider for my family later on. The friendships I made while in this program were very strong and many continue to be among my best friends. This career has given me a great sense of accomplishment and pride in what I do. I am truly proud to be an RN and it is the PERFECT career for me! Thanks, COM!
Franciska Moore (Ciska Moore) 1989
After graduation I work as staff nurse at UCSF liver transplant abdominal surgery. I then moved to Colorado at work internationally at Club Med as an RN; Mexico, Moorea, copper mountain, sandpiper and Cuba a job that was surprisingly hard. After that I couldn't see myself squeezing back into scrubs in a hospital and ended up at our community health center in both the English and Spanish speaking clinics. From there I moved into homeless outreach which was shockingly awesome and the last 8 years I work on a parent infant mental health team doing homeless prevention, in a way, by promoting parent infant attachment and ensuring healthy growth and development on a team of RNs and therapists. All jobs were meaningful and interesting and so diverse. I am so grateful!
Ruth M. Silverman 1989
My first two years after graduation I worked as an RN on the adult cancer floor at Children's Hospital in San Francisco. My next step was Hospice Nursing with Visiting Nurses and Hospice of San Francisco. After about eight years there, I transferred to Hospice of Marin. Hospice Nursing felt like a calling for me, I loved the work. I am now retired from nursing care, though still doing part-time educational work with the Hospice Home Health Aides of Hospice By the Bay. And, of course, helping friends who are ill. In 1995 I received the "Help Is On the Way Award" while working at Visiting Nurses and Hospice in San Francisco.
Mary Kay Stratigos (Mary Kay Eliopoulos Medias) 1989
Upon graduation from COM I received 3 job offers in the Intensive Care Nursery-ICN (new grad training program). I accepted an ICN position at Mt Zion. After a year at Mt. Zion we merged with UCSF. Today 27 years later I am still working at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in the ICN. After graduation I enrolled in the BSN program at Sonoma State University. I went to school part time while I worked in the ICN. I completed the BSN program in 1995. In 2001, I split my time between the bedside and Unit Nurse Educator. As the Unit Nurse Educator, I help to plan, organize and teach the new grad training program in the ICN. In 2004 I spent a year as an Interim Assistant Nurse Manager in the ICN covering for maternity leaves. I have been running the ICN new grad training program for the last 12 years. I am an active committee member for Hospital wide committee: Daisy Award Committee (helping to select the Daisy recipients), Value Analysis Committee, Vascular Access, Medication Device Committee and Neonatal Standards Committee. I am the chairperson for the ICN Education/Products committee. I am part of ICN interdisciplinary committee which includes Joint Practice and Patient Safety. In 2004 I received the Perinatal Nurse Award. I have participated in twin education to parents, participated in March of Dimes walk, Relay for Life walk and help with the annual ICN reunion (former patient return to participate in a Halloween theme party). I am always excited when Jo Ruddle sends me a student because they are always the best! Thank you COM!