March 2026
Emergency Dept | NICU | Respiratory Therapy
Emergency Dept | NICU | Respiratory Therapy
Kaiser Permanente - Antioch Medical Center
Antioch
,
CA
United States
Emergency Department:
Juan 'JP' Poncia, BSN, RN - Assistant Nurse Manager
Leah Snow, BSN, RN - Staff Nurse II
Tia Aquino - ED Technician II
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit:
Jeannette Moon, RN - Staff Nurse II
Tammy Cripe, RN - Staff Nurse II
Respiratory Therapy:
Armando Meza - Respiratory Care Practitioner II
Renee Ritchie - Respiratory Care Practitioner II
Juan 'JP' Poncia, BSN, RN - Assistant Nurse Manager
Leah Snow, BSN, RN - Staff Nurse II
Tia Aquino - ED Technician II
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit:
Jeannette Moon, RN - Staff Nurse II
Tammy Cripe, RN - Staff Nurse II
Respiratory Therapy:
Armando Meza - Respiratory Care Practitioner II
Renee Ritchie - Respiratory Care Practitioner II
Each member understood their role and supported one another, resulting in a smooth, coordinated response that prioritized both patient safety and family-centered care.
I am nominating this multidisciplinary team for their exceptional teamwork, clinical expertise, and compassion during a critical neonatal emergency involving a 29-day-old infant who required immediate intervention due to a dangerously elevated heart rate.
From the moment the infant was identified as unstable, the team mobilized rapidly and worked with a shared sense of purpose. RN Leah provided clear medical leadership during a rapidly evolving, high-acuity situation. RN Tammy and RN Jeannette brought essential NICU expertise into the Emergency Department, ensuring that all interventions were safe, developmentally appropriate, and delivered with precision.
Assistant Nurse Manager, JP, played a critical leadership role in medication administration, ensuring the accurate and timely delivery of adenosine. Tia performed essential EKG work, allowing for rapid rhythm identification and continuous monitoring that directly supported clinical decision-making.
Respiratory therapist, represented by Armando and Renee, remained continuously at the bedside preparing for possible intubation, ensuring airway readiness, and anticipating rapid changes in the infant’s respiratory and cardiac status. Their readiness added an important layer of safety during an unpredictable clinical course.
In addition to the outstanding clinical care, the entire team demonstrated extraordinary compassion toward the infant’s mother, who was understandably in significant distress. Team members took time to explain what was happening, offered reassurance, and remained present to provide emotional support while continuing critical interventions. Even in a high-pressure environment, the mother was treated with empathy, dignity, and respect.
Despite the intensity of the situation, the team remained calm, organized, and highly communicative. Each member understood their role and supported one another, resulting in a smooth, coordinated response that prioritized both patient safety and family-centered care.
This event strongly reflects the Kaiser Permanente model of high-level care, which emphasizes integrated, team-based practice, clinical excellence, and compassionate, patient- and family-centered decision-making. The seamless collaboration between the Emergency Department, NICU, and Respiratory Therapy demonstrates Kaiser Permanente’s commitment to delivering the right care, at the right time, by the right team.
This team exemplified the DAISY values of extraordinary compassion, teamwork, and clinical excellence, and their coordinated response made a meaningful difference in the care of this infant and family.
From the moment the infant was identified as unstable, the team mobilized rapidly and worked with a shared sense of purpose. RN Leah provided clear medical leadership during a rapidly evolving, high-acuity situation. RN Tammy and RN Jeannette brought essential NICU expertise into the Emergency Department, ensuring that all interventions were safe, developmentally appropriate, and delivered with precision.
Assistant Nurse Manager, JP, played a critical leadership role in medication administration, ensuring the accurate and timely delivery of adenosine. Tia performed essential EKG work, allowing for rapid rhythm identification and continuous monitoring that directly supported clinical decision-making.
Respiratory therapist, represented by Armando and Renee, remained continuously at the bedside preparing for possible intubation, ensuring airway readiness, and anticipating rapid changes in the infant’s respiratory and cardiac status. Their readiness added an important layer of safety during an unpredictable clinical course.
In addition to the outstanding clinical care, the entire team demonstrated extraordinary compassion toward the infant’s mother, who was understandably in significant distress. Team members took time to explain what was happening, offered reassurance, and remained present to provide emotional support while continuing critical interventions. Even in a high-pressure environment, the mother was treated with empathy, dignity, and respect.
Despite the intensity of the situation, the team remained calm, organized, and highly communicative. Each member understood their role and supported one another, resulting in a smooth, coordinated response that prioritized both patient safety and family-centered care.
This event strongly reflects the Kaiser Permanente model of high-level care, which emphasizes integrated, team-based practice, clinical excellence, and compassionate, patient- and family-centered decision-making. The seamless collaboration between the Emergency Department, NICU, and Respiratory Therapy demonstrates Kaiser Permanente’s commitment to delivering the right care, at the right time, by the right team.
This team exemplified the DAISY values of extraordinary compassion, teamwork, and clinical excellence, and their coordinated response made a meaningful difference in the care of this infant and family.