Men in Nursing 2024
Men in Nursing 2024
Special Annual Feature
We are thrilled to introduce this year’s cohort of 22 local nurses featured in our annual Men in Nursing spotlight. Here they share insights into their specialties, memorable patient experiences, and proudest professional achievements.
Ali Al-Masri, RN
ICU Nurse
Olive View–UCLA Medical Center, Sylmar
What’s something you love about your specialty?
I love dealing with highly complex acute patients, the teamwork and collaboration among nurses, and the challenges and rewards of caring for a vulnerable population.
Please share a memorable patient story.
Recently, I had a patient who’d suffered a major occlusion in his coronary artery. His prognosis was poor, and the doctors called his family to the bedside. I worked hard in collaboration with the team, and by the end of my shift, the patient’s condition did a 180. He was later transferred to the med-surg floor. It brought me so much happiness to be part of a case where life and death were hanging by a thread.
Tell us about something new and exciting in your work.
I am excited to be part of our mentorship program for new nurses, which will allow me to introduce new hires to the beauty of an honorable job.
Misak Anyan, RN, BSN
Unit Supervisor, ICU/CCU
USC Verdugo Hills Hospital
What’s something you love about your specialty?
Having the opportunity to dissect a case and take a deep dive into patients’ charts is very enjoyable. Sometimes, you learn complicated pathophysiology about a patient with an uncommon diagnosis, or are exposed to new facts or ways of approaching things that shape your practice.
Please share a memorable patient story.
During my first year, I had an older patient who had trouble pronouncing my name. Eventually, she pointed down at the socks on her feet and said, “Me-sock?” That was the first time someone had made that connection, and it finally gave me a way to explain how to pronounce my name. Months later, I encountered the same patient. She scratched her head and said, “Me … Me-shoe?” Her daughter and my coworker were nearby, and they got a good laugh out of that. Even now, this coworker greets me, “Hi, Me-Shoe.”
Tell us about a recent professional achievement.
In 2023, our director and manager selected me and a coworker to lead our application for the Beacon Award for Excellence through the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. It took months of hard work, but I’m proud to say our ICU received Gold designation — the highest possible!
Richard Conrad, RN
Clinical Nurse Manager, Telemetry and Medical Surgical Services
Adventist Health White Memorial, Montebello
What’s something you love about your specialty?
I love the vastness and unpredictability of the job. Some days are focused entirely on patient- related issues, while others are focused on improving workflow or the resources available to my staff.
Please share a memorable patient story.
During the peak of the COVID pandemic, we treated an elderly husband and wife who both ended up in the ICU. The wife managed to downgrade to my DOU, but her husband passed away. Her family asked us not to let her know, terrified that it would impact her condition. She was unbelievably kind and gracious, so we all tried to field her questions without giving away the news of her husband’s passing. It was uplifting to see this interdisciplinary effort on her behalf, but it was devastatingly hard to put on the happy face she needed.
Tell us about a professional achievement you’re working towards.
I’ve always enjoyed school, so I’m excited to finally be earning my BSN.
Adrian P. Dacanay, RN, MSN
Nurse Educator
Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center, Harbor City
What inspired you to choose your specialty?
My first nursing job was at a high-acuity trauma hospital. I had to learn a lot quickly, which was overwhelming. However, I was paired with two patient, knowledgeable preceptors who focused my training and orientation on the things I needed to acclimate. I knew that I wanted to pay that same kindness and wisdom forward.
Please share a memorable patient story.
A patient was transferred to our DOU/ SDU unit with unresolved tachycardia. The hand-off report seemed benign enough, but when I saw the patient, I immediately knew something was wrong. He had severely altered level of consciousness, an oddly warm and distended belly, and really low blood pressure. I called the doctor to get an urgent transfer to ICU. Scans revealed the patient had a necrotic bowel, and he went to surgery that night. I credit my preceptors for teaching me to quickly assess, recognize emergent symptoms, and intervene.
Tell us about something new and exciting in your work.
I recently attended the International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare, and discovered two new games-based education modalities. One is the “escape box,” a variation of the healthcare escape room, while the other is a healthcare-based version of a life-size, turn-based board game. These are fun, creative ways for staff to test knowledge and apply their skills.
Paul Dizon, RN, BSN
RN I, Operating Room
Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
Torrance
What inspired you to choose your specialty?
When I was 3 years old, I had an accident and didn’t have the opportunity to see a doctor or specialist. As an adult, I was finally able to have surgery. In nursing school, my first rotation was in the OR, and I dreamed of becoming an OR nurse.
Please share a memorable patient story.
I had a preoperative patient, a 60-year-old Latina mom, who was crying and distressed. I tried my best to speak to her in Spanish, introducing myself as “Pablito.” It turned out she had a son who had passed whose name was Pablito. This created an instant connection that helped the patient cope during a difficult time. Later, I bumped into her at the grocery store. She recognized me and approached me with gratitude.
Tell us about something new and exciting in your work.
Our team has “Wellness Wednesdays,” with activities focused on the emotional stability and wellbeing of staff. This helps staff feel that they are part of a family, not just workers.
Alejandro Garcia, RN, BSN, MICN
Charge Nurse, Emergency Department
PIH Health Whittier Hospital
What advice would you give a new nurse starting in your specialty?
Trust your team. The expectation isn’t that you’ll know everything, but that you can work with your team to care for patients as best as you can. The ED can be a humbling environment, but with that humility comes growth.
Please share a memorable patient story.
I was involved in the care of a young teenager brought into our ED following a traumatic car accident. Despite countless interventions, the patient succumbed to their injuries. The family’s mourning at the sudden, unexpected loss of their child echoed through the department. It gave me a heightened awareness that tomorrow is never guaranteed.
Tell us about a recent professional achievement.
I recently became certified in intraosseous insertions, which allows me to quickly establish access to a patient’s vascular system in critical situations where traditional IV access may be challenging. This has already proven invaluable.
Gerry Gorospe III, RN, MSN, PHN, BMTCN
Clinical Nurse Manager, Oncology Services
USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles
What’s something you love about your specialty?
Cancer care is evolving so quickly, which is very exciting. Cellular therapies, like CAR T-cell and bispecific antibodies, are changing how we treat certain hematological diseases. When I was a new nurse, we didn’t have supportive care like we have now.
Please share a memorable patient story.
When I was a HSCT (hematopoietic stem cell transplant) coordinator, I assisted a leukemia patient who was to receive a transplant. We connected through our shared passion for running marathons. She was not able to run during treatment, but her husband organized friends and family to run from their home to the hospital, wearing orange shirts with her name. Although I was unable to join their run, I wore her shirt at a half marathon around the same time. Fortunately, her transplant went well, and I saw her and her family at our annual reunion.
Tell us about a recent professional achievement.
This year, my colleague and I shared four poster presentations at an Oncology Nursing Society conference.
Minas Kedilerli, RN
House Supervisor, Critical Care/ Rapid Response
UCLA West Valley Medical Center, West Hills
What’s something you love about your specialty?
I love being able to problem-solve and devise innovative ways to manage limited resources. Although I face different challenges each night, I find satisfaction in helping to make a difference for patients.
Please share a memorable patient story.
As a new nurse, I had a patient nearing the end of his life who never had any family or loved ones visit his room. During his final moments, he asked if I could turn on some music for him. I happily did so, and stayed by his side until he peacefully passed away. Sometimes, the simplest acts of compassion can be the most important.
Tell us about a professional achievement you’re working towards.
I am working towards my bachelor’s degree in nursing and hope to also pursue a master’s degree in management.
Anthony Levesque, RN, BSN
Clinical RN, Telemetry/Neurology
Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital
What inspired you to choose your specialty?
I’m starting my first nursing job after working at the same hospital as a nursing assistant, and before that in housekeeping. During my time in housekeeping, I learned that I have a passion for helping others and realized that I would enjoy a nursing career.
Please share a memorable patient story.
As a CNA, I cared for a stroke patient who was having a tough time adjusting and was often frustrated. She had almost given up, but our team continued to encourage her, and she remained resilient. She ended up going to a rehabilitation facility. A few weeks later, I ran into her while walking my dog. She had fully recovered and was out for an evening stroll. Seeing her recovered has motivated me to always encourage my patients.
Tell us about something new and exciting in your work.
Our hospital recently purchased new Verathon BladderScan units, which are so much better than the older scanners we used to have. I’ve never met a nurse who doesn’t get excited about a new bladder scanner.
Jonathan Martinez, RN
Patient Flow Coordinator, Emergency Services
Huntington Health, Pasadena
What’s something you love about your specialty?
I love that we get to help people in their times of greatest need. Working in such an intense setting with critical patients has also enabled me to form many strong bonds with my coworkers.
Please share a memorable patient story.
One of my coworkers had a patient who was turning 100 years old, but had no family or friends to celebrate with her. My coworkers bought a card and flowers, and gathered a group of nurses, doctors, and ER techs to sing “Happy Birthday.” I’ll never forget the smile on her face.
Tell us about something new and exciting in your work.
I am really excited for our new graduate program. Observing the growth of novice nurses is a profoundly rewarding experience.
Gabriel Molina, FNP-C, MSN
Nurse Manager, 5100-Med-Surg
Redlands Community Hospital
What inspired you to choose your specialty?
I enjoy med-surg because you get to care for patients with many different health conditions. This
diversity has helped me hone my skills, including communication, empathy, time management, and critical thinking.
Please share a memorable patient story.
I had an elderly male patient, “John,” who was about to discharge home with a Foley catheter. Because he and his wife were both in their 80s and had a language barrier, I said they could call me if they needed help with the Foley. The next morning, a Sunday, the wife called me to say John was in great pain. They lived only blocks from my home, so I agreed to go over to help. When I arrived, I washed my hands, gloved up, manually irrigated the catheter, and was able to clear a large elongated blood clot, which provided almost immediate relief for John (and me!). As nurses, we can never stop caring, even on our days off.
Tell us about a recent professional achievement.
My relatively new role as unit floor manager has been challenging and eye-opening. As a floor nurse, it is difficult to truly understand all the things that need to happen behind the scenes for our everyday practice.
Athanase Nyamugira, RN
Med-Surg Charge Nurse
Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center Los Angeles
What advice would you give a new nurse starting in your specialty?
Make sure you join the team. A patient’s team consists of your fellow nurses, the CNAs, and the doctors, but also the patient’s family. Patient care is a community effort, and it involves many people. Be part of the whole team!
Please share a memorable patient story.
A patient came to us suffering from alcohol withdrawal, confused and unable to write his own name. At first, he unfortunately had to be restrained. After treatment, he was calmer and more at peace. I truly believe it was because he saw that we were there for him and cared for his wellbeing. He came back a few months later, just to thank us and let us know he was doing okay.
Tell us about a recent professional achievement.
I was recently selected for our Global Ambassador Program. Our health system has facilities in seven countries, and this biannual program sends 10 nurses to Seoul, South Korea, to learn more about our global network, exchange ideas, and build international relationships. I was proud to represent my hospital and the United States.
Patrick O’Hare RN, MSN, CCRN
Clinical Nurse Manager, 5W Pediatrics
UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital
What inspired you to choose your specialty?
I love the variety: There can be such a difference in taking care of a 7-year-old versus caring for a 2-year-old, so there’s always something new to learn. And, of course, there are the kids! They are so resilient. It doesn’t matter if there are tubes, drains, and machines connected to them — they just want to be kids.
Please share a memorable patient story.
I had an 8-year-old patient who was waiting for his second liver transplant. He was having a hard time because he missed his friends. He and I are both quite competitive, so one day, while working with PT/OT, he challenged me to see who could do 10 sit-ups the fastest.
He beat me, and since then, he has nicknamed me “Slowpoke.” The patient isn’t on the unit as often now, but when he sees me, he still calls out, “Hey, Slowpoke!”
Tell us about a recent professional achievement.
At this year’s Solutions for Patient Safety National Learning Session, I presented my unit’s CLABSI (central line associated bloodstream infection) project. Our focus is on taking a proactive rather than reactive approach. We’ve had great success in decreasing CLABSIs, and it was an honor to showcase my unit’s work.
Andrew Palor, RN
Nurse Manager, Neurology and Stroke Units
California Rehabilitation Institute, Los Angeles
What inspired you to choose your specialty?
After working in different units in different hospitals, I found acute rehabilitation to be the most satisfying. Helping patients return to their lives is very rewarding.
Please share a memorable patient story.
I once took care of a patient who’d had a stroke, and I enjoyed getting to know him during his entire admission. We talked about sports and our love for the Lakers. Three years down the line, I happened to see him at the Staples Center, catching a game with his family.
Tell us about something new and exciting in your work.
Our hospital just started using the Sarcos Guardian XO full-body powered exoskeleton. It’s amazing technology that helps patients with their mobility.
Randy Retama, RN, MICN
Emergency Services
Dignity Health-St. Mary Medical Center, Long Beach
What inspired you to choose your specialty?
I began my career as an EMT and was hired as an RN four years ago. I chose the ED because of its fast-paced, dynamic nature. I love that you never know what to expect.
Please share a memorable patient story.
I cared for a patient whose wife was by his side throughout his stay. Although the patient was discharged fairly quickly, the wife expressed immense gratitude for my support. As I helped her get her husband into their car, she offered me a ceramic cereal bowl as a gift. It was clear how much it meant to her and how thankful she was for the care I provided, so I accepted.
Tell us about something new and exciting in your work.
I currently serve as a mobile intensive care nurse at the Long Beach base station. I love collaborating with local fire departments, providing them with guidance to ensure that patients receive the care they need.
Jack Reynolds, RN
Psychiatric Nurse
Ventura County Medical Center
What inspired you to choose your specialty?
My work in inpatient psych, addiction medicine, and the ED has been driven by different experiences/encounters, but also by asking myself, “What do YOU want?” I love that nursing is such a versatile profession with many options to explore.
Please share a memorable patient story.
As a new LVN, I was dropping off paperwork in the involuntary unit when I overheard a heated discussion and saw a patient holding a pair of scissors to my coworker’s neck. I asked what was going on, and the patient replied that my coworker was not listening and kept talking over them. I acknowledged their frustration and asked, “What can I do to help you?” They said they wanted to speak to someone who would listen. I said I would, and they handed over the scissors. The patient and I spoke for a few minutes, and when I went to leave, I found the SWAT team standing in the hallway! Fortunately, everything ended peacefully, but I still think of that situation whenever I ask someone, “What can I do to help you?”
Tell us about something new and exciting in your work.
I’ve recently had the opportunity to utilize my emergency room training to care for the mental health population in the ED, which has always been a passion and career goal of mine.
Kevin Roa, RN
Clinical Nurse Lead, ICU
Adventist Health White Memorial, Los Angeles
What inspired you to choose your specialty?
Early in my career, there were two ICU nurses that I looked up to. I remember feeling such a sense of security when they were around, and being impressed with their skills and quick judgement. When the opportunity came to transfer to ICU, I took it.
Please share a memorable patient story.
During the last World Cup, we had a terminal patient with no family who always looked forward to watching the games with me. One day, I came to work, and he was doing significantly worse. I went out of my way to talk with him about the matches as much as possible that day. I’m glad I was able to spend some happy moments with him before his passing.
Tell us about something new and exciting in your work.
My hospital hosts a lot of mission trips, from Africa to the Philippines to Mexico. I joined for the first time last year, and it was a wonderful experience.
Seth Rodriguez, RN
Care Management Specialist
L.A. Care Health Plan
What inspired you to choose your specialty?
When I changed careers from special education to nursing, care management was a natural fit: I can utilize my strengths as a teacher to educate patients on how to improve their health and also how to navigate our often confusing healthcare system.
Please share a memorable patient story.
I like to include at least one fact about a patient’s personality in their care plan, to remind others that the patient/member is an individual. I worked with a young boy, “J,” who was going through chemotherapy. He told me he loved Teslas, so I included this in his care plan. A few weeks later, J’s parents called to say his oncologist had arranged not only to give J a toy Tesla to play with, but also for him to get a ride in a real Tesla on his last day in the hospital — “per his care management plan.”
Tell us about a professional achievement you’re working towards.
I am currently working towards certification in data analysis and programming to help nurses become more involved in creating and implementing.
John Serrano, RN, BSN
Preop/Preadmission Testing
Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare, Pomona
What inspired you to choose your specialty?
What I love about the OR is seeing the results from the surgery. When the surgery goes according to plan, it helps the patient return to the activities they love.
Please share a memorable patient story.
We had a patient who’d recently become a grandparent, but was unable to pick up or hold their grandchild due to a rotator cuff tear, which caused tremendous pain, both physical and emotional. After surgery, the patient came back to share photos with the OR staff, beaming with pride that they could now lift and hold their grandkid.
Tell us about something new and exciting in your work.
We’re making changes to reduce the risk of infection in the OR by minimizing traffic throughout procedures. Steps like this may seem trivial, but they make a difference.
Guillermo Soriano, RN, BSN, CNRN, SCRN
Stroke Coordinator
San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital, Banning
What inspired you to choose your specialty?
I chose stroke coordination after witnessing the profound impact timely intervention can have on stroke patients. I also love the dynamic nature of this specialty, but seeing patients recover and regain their lives is the most rewarding aspect.
Please share a memorable patient story.
We recently had a patient who suffered a major stroke, but received treatment very quickly, so her symptoms resolved remarkably well. This case was special because the patient is part of a retirement community where I have been conducting community education over the past few years. It was amazing knowing that our community education efforts made a real difference.
Tell us about something new and exciting in your work.
I’m involved in an exciting project to enable our hospital to achieve EMS designation for stroke care. This will allow us to receive stroke patients directly from the community, improving our emergency response time and ensuring patients receive timely care.
Mark Vaccarino, RN, MSN, NE-BC
Administrative Supervisor, Oncology
UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center
What inspired you to choose your specialty?
Leadership was not something I sought — I was guided towards this path by mentors I
respected — but it has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. I’ve had the privilege of mentoring numerous nurses, watching them grow into leaders themselves.
Please share a memorable patient story.
An older woman was brought in with a fever and decreased level of consciousness, although vital signs were stable. As I assessed her, her husband stood by her bedside, quietly sobbing and repeating, “Please don’t leave me — you are all I have.” It became clear that in that moment, he needed my care and reassurance more than his wife did. I placed my hand on his shoulder and did my best to reassure him without giving any false hopes. Fortunately, she stabilized and was admitted to a medical-surgical unit. This experience taught me a profound lesson in empathy and the importance of pausing to listen.
Tell us about a recent professional achievement.
Last year, I started my psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) post-master’s certification. I’m excited to contribute to the evolving field of alternative treatment for mental health conditions.
Julio Vides, RN, BSN
Emergency Department
MLK Community Healthcare, Los Angeles
What inspired you to choose your specialty?
I love expecting the unexpected. The ED will throw everything at you, from minor bumps and bruises to life-or-death situations. Being part of a team that can make a difference on the worst day of someone’s life is what drives me.
Please share a memorable patient story.
I love when patients or family members come back to our ED after treatment and say, “I remember you — thank you for taking care of me.” When I became a nurse, I told myself that if I can make a difference in one person’s life, I will have done my job.
Tell us about something new and exciting in your work.
Our emergency department is the third-busiest in California, but also one of the most efficient: Most patients are medically cleared and discharged within three to four hours. We’re now gathering data to present the efficiency of our ED to other organizations through events such as yearly conferences.
We asked our featured nurses to share their favorite ways to de-stress. Click here to explore photos of the hobbies and activities that bring them joy and help them unwind. Turn page 36 of the Flip Mag.
In this Article: Career Advice, Self-Care and Wellness
