AACN Chapter @ UCLA Quarterly Digest

AACN CHAPTER AT UCLA NEWSLETTER

On Purpose: Transforming Challenges Into Impact

Highlighting leadership, education, and community

engagement across the Greater Los Angeles area

APRIL 2026

Board members at the 2026 On Purpose Leadership Symposium at Tamkin Auditorium in Ronald Reagan Medical Center.

Left to right: Melody Kashani, Shana Adibi, Yasmin Faggin, Mary Nichols, Danielle Long, Angela Fitzmorris, Sandra Lee, Feri Kiani, Jessa Tiu, Jose Chavez, Daisy Samonte

ANNUAL LEADERSHIP SYMPOSIUM

The Power of Purpose: Transforming Challenges Into Impact

The AACN Chapter at UCLA hosted the 2026 Annual Leadership Symposium on February 21st, 2026 on Saturday from 7AM to 4:30PM at the Tamkin Auditorium in the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Through keynote presentations and discussions, participants gained practical tools to navigate today's complex healthcare environment with confidence and compassion. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make this event a success!

Chapter Board with AACN Chapter Advisor Elizabeth Wheeler and AACN President Rebekah Marsh

Attendees at the dining area

UCLA School of Nursing students and faculty with Rebekah Marsh, AACN Chapter President Dr. Jose Chavez, and Elizabeth Wheeler

PHOTO GALLERY

Leadership Reflections

Jose Chavez -- AACN Chapter President

"Reflecting on the UCLA AACN Leadership Symposium, I felt incredibly proud of our chapter and how everyone came together to make the event a success. From the smooth setup to the way our team and speakers adapted when technical difficulties arose, it was clear that collaboration and professionalism carried the day. I want to give a special shout out to Feri and the entire Program Committee whose planning, effort, and commitment made the symposium possible."

Feri Kiani -- Program Chair

"Being a part of this year's AACN Chapter at UCLA Symposium as Program Chair was a truly special experience. My hope was to create a meaningful and valuable experience for our attendees, and I'm so grateful to have worked alongside a team that shared tat same commitment. Hosting at Tamkin Auditorium for the first time came with some nerves, but the day unfolded seamlessly. The energy in the room, the engagement of our attendees, and the support from our vendors made it all incredibly rewarding. I couldn't be more proud of what we achieved together."

Meet Our Symposium Speakers!

Our symposium featured an incredible lineup of healthcare leaders who shared their expertise and experiences in leadership with attendees.

Elizabeth Wheeler, BSN, RN, CCRN, PCCN, AACN Chapter Advisory Team

Ms. Elizabeth Wheeler presentation was titled, "AACN Initiatives & Advocacy Updates." She spoke about AACN's mission, vision, and values of driving dedication and excellence in acute and critical care for nurses, patients, and families. Ms. Wheeler touched on the growth of AACN chapters where nurses build community within their local areas, and community building can occur through implementation of the Healthy Work Environment as well as advocacy.

Rebekah Marsh, BSN, RN, CCRN, AACN President

Ms. Rebekah Marsh's keynote address delved into her personal journey of growth and development of confidence as a nursing leader. She spoke about the Healthy Work Environment (HWE) Standards and how the implementation of the HWE model in the workplace positively affects nurses working in the unit. One way to implement a HWE is through encouraging a sense of belonging within the unit, which she displayed during her talk through having the audience engage in reflection and discussions amongst their neighbors and colleagues about how to intentionally inspire belonging and true collaboration.

Dr. Nancy Blake, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, FAONL, FACHE

Dr. Nancy Blake's presentation titled, "The Power of Trust on Supporting a Healthy Work Environment," highlighted how leaders need to build trust within their team, which relates to the implementation of the HWE model. Communicating and actively listening to each voice and deciding from there which intervention is needed will help make someone an effective leader. She stated different examples of her leadership style that she implemented in LA General, which resulted in LA General's achievement of Magnet designation in 2025.

CCRN Panelists from left to right:

Lorraine Sheffield, MSN, RN, CCRN, Vera Lopez, MSN, RN, PCCN, Teri Loera, BSN, RN, CCRN

Moderator on far right: Sandra Lee, MSN, RN

Our panelists, Ms. Lorraine Sheffield, Ms. Vera Lopez, and Ms. Teri Loera, spoke about their personal experiences as unit leaders in Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Santa Monica UCLA, and Children's Hospital LA, respectively. They all emphasized respect, kindness, and active listening when supporting the nurses on their units. As leaders, they highlighted that their role is to serve and support their nursing teams, rather than the other way around.

Dr. Anna Dermenchyan PhD, RN, CCRN, CPHQ

Dr. Anna Dermenchyan spoke about the importance of reflecting on your purpose as as nurse--why you pursued nursing--and how you will move forward and progress on your nursing journey in her presentation titled, "Purpose in Practice: Charting Your Nursing Journey with Intention." Dr. Dermenchyan further highlighted the importance of advocacy--having a voice not only individually but also collectively--to strengthen our profession. Dr. Dermenchyan conducted a reflective activity to help participants plan their priorities and goals they can act upon in both in the near future and the long term: leadership begins with purpose.

Dr. Thanh Neville, MD, MSHS

Dr. Thanh Neville implemented The Three Wishes Program at UCLA to support ICU patients at the end of life. Through compassion and advocacy, she helped fulfill meaningful final wishes, such as watching the sunset outdoors or holding a wedding celebration in the hospital garden. She introduced keepsakes--such as fingerprint art and recordings of a patient's heartbeat set to music--to provide families with lasting memories. Her leadership exemplifies how compassion, innovation, and patient centered advocacy can transform end-of-life care for both patients and their families.

Dr. Hassan Bencheqroun, MD, FCCP, MBA

The final presentation, "Back to the Nursing Roots: Rediscovering Humanity in the Age of AI" was presented by Dr. Hassan Bencheqroun. He highlighted the importance of using artificial intelligence as a tool not only to help reduce documentation burden and for nurses save more time for patient care but also to help educate patients, say, with pros, cons, and objective data for patients to consider. On the other side of it, Dr. Bencheqroun touched on limitations of using AI, such as ethical considerations, bias, and "made-up" or incorrect statements. However, it is guaranteed that AI will partner with the healthcare system. Therefore, nurses should educate themselves about AI to spearhead and guide this drastic change for the greater good of patient care.

Key Takeaways from the Day

Throughout the symposium, our speakers shared diverse experiences and insights on leadership in nursing. Despite their different perspectives, several key themes emerged that highlight the values and skills needed to lead with purpose in today's healthcare environment.

Purpose guides leadership.
Healthy work environments strengthen nursing teams.
Leadership is rooted in service.
Compassionate, patient-centered care creates lasting impact.
Nurses must embrace innovation while preserving humanity in care.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors who showcased new evidence-based practices, as well as their support for our symposium!

Baxter

Platinum Sponsor

Zoll

Platinum Sponsor

Teleflex

Platinum Sponsor

Fresenius Kabi

Gold Sponsor

Cedars-Sinai

Gold Sponsor

Becton Dickinson

Gold Sponsor

Ceribell

Gold Sponsor

Molnlycke Health Care

Gold Sponsor

Lungpacer Medical

Silver Sponsor

Sanofi Pharmaceuticals

Silver Sponsor

Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals

Silver Sponsor

Urgo Medical

Silver Sponsor

UCLA Joe C. Wen School of Nursing

Academic Sponsor

Azusa Pacific University

Academic Sponsor

Mount Saint Mary's University

Academic Sponsor

Vigilant Software

Academic Sponsor

Thank you to the UCLA School of Nursing!

UCLA School of Nursing class at the Tamkin Auditorium stage.

BSN4 class and Dr. Cuenca with Dr. Jose Chavez, Ms. Rebekah Marsh, and Ms. Elizabeth Wheeler

Many thanks to the UCLA School of Nursing BSN and MECN Program Director, Dr. Emma Cuenca, for sponsoring her Advanced Leadership and Role Integration BSN4 class and several UCLA School of Nursing faculty to join us at the symposium!

Looking Ahead!

Thank you to our speakers, attendees, and sponsors for making this symposium a success. We encourage members to stay engaged with the AACN Chapter at UCLA through upcoming events, initiatives, and leadership opportunities. We look forward to continuing to build community, support leadership development, and create meaningful opportunities for engagement within the AACN Chapter. Continuing our commitment to supporting and recognizing nurses, the AACN Chapter at UCLA also engaged with the community by celebrating Certified Nurses Day and providing ongoing educational opportunities!

. . .

Looking Ahead: AACN NTI Conference

The AACN National Teaching Institute (NTI) Conference is coming up on May 17-20 2026 at the San Diego Convention Center. A virtual option is also available from June 15-17 2026. This event is an upcoming opportunity for nurses to engage in professional development, attend educational sessions, and connect with nurse leaders from across the country. We are proud to share that two of our AACN Chapter at UCLA board members will be presenting at NTI, and that Daisy Samonte will be recognized as a recipient of the AACN Circle of Excellence Award! We encourage members to explore this experience and take advantage of the resources and networking opportunities offered through the AACN.

Daisy Samonte -- Circle of Excellence Recipient

The AACN Circle of Excellence Award honors nurses who demonstrate outstanding leadership and excellence in critical care practice. Recipients are recognized for fostering healthy work environments, driving meaningful change, and achieving measurable improvements in patient care and team outcomes. Daisy exemplifies all these qualities--read what Feri shared about Daisy's impact:

Congratulations, Daisy Samonte!

"We are proud to celebrate Daisy Samonte, President of the AACN Chapter at UCLA, on receiving the Circle of Excellence Award. Daisy's leadership has strengthened the chapter through meaningful partnerships, sustainable educational programming, expanded access to high-quality education, and increased visibility and impact across our community. She has also fostered a positive, collaborative culture by encouraging open communication, engaging members, and recognizing their contributions while supporting their growth. Daisy's leadership continues to inspire and uplift our chapter, and we are thrilled to see her recognized with this well-deserved honor."

On the National Stage: AACN NTI

Our two wonderful board members, Feri Kiani and Sandra Lee, will be speaking at the NTI on May 19th from 1-2:15PM at Ballroom 6D! In their session, "Expect the Unexpected: Wild Pediatric Case Studies from the Edge of Critical Care," Feri and Sandra will be exploring complex, life-threatening critical care cases--including Propofol-Related Infusion Syndrome and Tension Hemopneumothorax--and sharing insights on diagnosis and management. Come support them at NTI!

Feri Kiani, MSN, RN, CCRN, Ped-BC, RRT, NPS

"I'm excited to share that I will be co-presenting as a podium speaker at NTI 2026--an incredible opportunity at one of the largest and most inspiring conferences in critical care nursing. This is something that once seemed impossible, and being part of the AACN chapter at UCLA has truly empowered me to find my voice, push beyond my comfort zone, and take on challenges at a whole new level. The support, mentorship, and sense of community within our chapter have played a huge role in this journey, giving me the confidence to grow, speak up, and reach beyond what I once thought possible."

Sandra Lee, MSN, RN, CCRN

"I've spent over a quarter of a century working in pediatric critical care, and I still feel that there is so much to learn! We will explore two case studies: Propofol-Related Infusion Syndrome and Tension Hemopneumothorax. Journey with us as we discuss how our team diagnosed and managed these initially mysterious and life-threatening conditions at the crucial decision points."

Certified Nurses Day Celebration!

Celebrating Excellence in Nursing

Certified Nurses Day, celebrated annually on March 19, recognizes and honors nurses who have achieved speciality certification, demonstrating their commitment to clinical excellence and professional growth. In celebration, the AACN Chapter at UCLA supports our board members by sponsoring meals and treats for their units, allowing them to recognize and appreciate certified nurses at the bedside. Thank you to Mary, Daisy, Angela, Sandra, and Feri!

Our chapter celebrated with these units this year:

UCLA Health Santa Monica ICU
UCLA Health Santa Monica 5MN
UCLA Health West Valley Emergency Department
UCLA Health West Valley Oncology
UCLA Health West Valley Telemetry
UCLA Health West Valley Orthopedics
UCLA Health West Valley Burn Unit
UCLA Health West Valley ICU
Children's Hospital Los Angeles

Santa Monica ICU

Santa Monica 5MN

Cedars-Sinai

West Valley ED

West Valley

West Valley Oncology

West Valley

West Valley ICU

West Valley

CHLA

Monthly Chapter Dinner Series

Purposeful Education, All Year Long

The AACN Chapter at UCLA hosts educational dinners on the first Wednesday of each month to support the ongoing professional development of critical and progressive care nurses. These sessions provide accessible, evidence-based education that directly enhances bedside practice, reinforces professional integrity, and promotes high-quality patient care. These educational offerings reflect our commitment to lifelong learning, innovation in healthcare, and advancing nursing excellence across the Greater Los Angeles area.

Our recent Educational Dinner topic includes:

Potluck Discussion: Sharing the Burden of Care

Potluck Discussion: Sharing the Burden of Care

Thank you to Sandra Lee for hosting our first Wednesdays of the month dinner on March 4th, 2026. This event was potluck-style along with a Socratic Seminar style conversation based off documentaries and literature such as, "The Pitt" on HBO, "Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End" by Atul Gawande, "How Doctors Die: It's not like the rest of us, but it should be" by Ken Murray, "A Bittersweet season: Caring for Our Aging Parents - and Ourselves" by Jane Gross, "Elderhood: Redefining Aging, Transforming Medicine, Reimagining Life" by Louise Aronson, and more!

Front, Feri; 2nd row, Yasmin and Jessa; 3rd row, Sandra and Daisy

Sandra's guest signature board with art

Board members in Sandra's living room

Learning in Action: Board Meetings

Purposeful Education, All Year Long

During each Board Meeting on the 3rd Wednesday of the month, the AACN Chapter at UCLA integrates educational sessions as part of our commitment to lifelong learning, clinical excellence, and professional growth. By embedding evidence-based education into our meetings, we ensure that knowledge sharing is accessible not only to leadership, but to all general members, reinforcing AACN’s mission to promote optimal patient outcomes through informed and empowered nursing practice.

Recent Board Meeting Educational Sessions included:

AACN Chapter Resume Building and Interview Workshop
-- Bruce Santos, RN
Stop the Bleed Training & Instructor Pathway
-- Erik Coll, MPH, BSN, RN

AACN Chapter Resume Building and Interview Workshop

Guest Speaker: Bruce Santos, RN

Event Coordinator: Jessa Tiu

Bruce Santos, an ICU manager at UCLA Health West Valley, shared insights on what hiring leaders look for when evaluating new nurses. He emphasized that success is less about perfection and more about mindset--being hungry, coachable, accountable, and intentional in both learning and practice. Resumes and interviews are opportunities to demonstrate clinical judgment, reflection, and professionalism, while showing a commitment to growth and contributing to the team. Ultimately, nurses who show readiness, curiosity, and a willingness to invest in themselves are the ones leaders want to support and develop. Thank you to Bruce for your amazing talk!

Bruce Santos, RN

Bruce Santos, RN is an ICU manager and healthcare operations leader with 15+ years of experience across multiple hospital systems, including UCLA Health. He specializes in improving workflows, strengthening staff engagement, and driving operational and patient care excellence while developing high-performing nursing teams.

UCLA School of Nursing students with AACN Chapter board members and Bruce Santos on Zoom

Nursing students who attended in person

Students and chapter board participating in a roundtable style discussion

Bruce Santos on Zoom while students listen to his talk

Feri leading a discussion

Stop the Bleed Training and Instructor Pathway

Instructor: Erik Coll, MPH, BSN, RN

Event Coordinator: Melody Kashani

Erik Coll led the Stop the Bleed training course during our March 18th 2026 chapter board meeting from 5-6pm. Attendees were nursing students and registered nurses who were eager to learn how to respond to life-threatening bleeding emergencies before professional help arrives. Participants learn critical skills like applying direct pressure, using tourniquets, packing wounds, and safely managing traumatic injuries. Thank you to Erik Coll, his team, and Melody Kashani for coordinating this event!

Erik Coll, MPH, BSN, RN

Erik Coll, MPH, BSN, RN has over 20 years of experience in emergency and trauma care. He currently serves as UCLA Trauma's Injury & Violence Prevention, Outreach Coordinator, and HEaL Trauma Program Manager, focusing on trauma-informed care, injury prevention, and improving long-term outcomes for patients and communities.

Erik Coll instructing the group how to use a tourniquet

Nursing students practicing how to use the equipment

Students and nurses practicing wound packing using gauze

Hands-on practice with gauze wound packing techniques

Equipment and directions implemented during the Stop the Bleed training course

Check out the link below for the Stop the Bleed attendees to sign up and claim instructor status!

VISIT

Student Outreach & Engagement

Student Engagement & Professional Mentorship

The AACN Chapter also focuses on student-run activities and community engagement, providing nursing students opportunities to lead initiatives, develop clinical and professional skills, and connect with experienced nurses. These activities foster mentorship, teamwork, and real-world exposure, helping prepare the next generation of critical care professionals while giving back to the community.

Events highlighted:

CSULA Arterial Lines & Chest Tube Lecture

CSULA Arterial Lines & Chest Tube Lecture

Speaker: Yury Elkind

Event Coordinator: Melody Kashani

The CSULA Arterial Lines & Chest Tube Lecture was held on March 17th at the CSULA San Gabriel Room. Yury Elkind, our AACN Chapter student outreach chair taught CSULA nursing students shared their experiences in the ICU, PICU, and Emergency Department with nursing students exploring different critical care specialties. Representing CHLA, UCLA, and Santa Monica Medical Centers, the panel fostered meaningful discussion, mentorship, and insight into diverse career pathways in acute and critical care nursing.