March 2021
Irene
Chuman
,
RN, BSN, PHN, MHA
Employee Health Services/Ambulatory Clinical Practice
Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center
Baldwin Park
,
CA
United States
Irene’s leadership influence extends even beyond excellent patient care.
In times of uncertainty, great leaders are a necessity. During this pandemic, Irene Kuwaki-Chuman has demonstrated that great leadership. She has been nothing short of present, prepared, and willing to do not just what is necessary, but also vital. As Director of Ambulatory Practice, her job description may seem limited to management and coordination of Employee Health concerns. In practice her clinical knowledge and leadership has extended beyond the care of our employees, to members, and even the local community.
COVID19 presented circumstances that required her to develop protocols for a situation in which no one was truly an expert. In collaboration with her physician partner (an Infectious Disease Physician Leader), and in accordance with CDC guidelines, she led the development of protocols and processes for COVID19 employee-related issues such as proper testing, monitoring, and return to work guidelines. Together they have worked side-by-side to maintain the highest level of care for our staff and members and to ensure proper protocols are followed.
During her 15 years as Director of Ambulatory Practice, Irene has also demonstrated great leadership qualities in her ability to inspire and motivate nurses to provide compassionate care as one of the foundations of the nursing practice. For Irene, Care Experience and excellent quality of care has been a constant priority and she is seen as a valuable resource in this arena. Her knowledge of clinical practices and her dedication to providing excellent care is evident to all who seek her guidance in the application and execution of policies and procedures.
Irene’s leadership influence extends even beyond excellent patient care. As a great leader, she speaks to the heart of the nurse, empowering nurses to become the leaders they are meant to be, to pursue higher degrees of education, to speak up, and to take their clinical practice to the highest level of scope. Irene demonstrates this through the work she leads in the Ambulatory Professional Practice Council, DAISY Awards committee, Ambulatory Magnet Journey, and in her participation on the Magnet Steering Committee.
COVID19 presented circumstances that required her to develop protocols for a situation in which no one was truly an expert. In collaboration with her physician partner (an Infectious Disease Physician Leader), and in accordance with CDC guidelines, she led the development of protocols and processes for COVID19 employee-related issues such as proper testing, monitoring, and return to work guidelines. Together they have worked side-by-side to maintain the highest level of care for our staff and members and to ensure proper protocols are followed.
During her 15 years as Director of Ambulatory Practice, Irene has also demonstrated great leadership qualities in her ability to inspire and motivate nurses to provide compassionate care as one of the foundations of the nursing practice. For Irene, Care Experience and excellent quality of care has been a constant priority and she is seen as a valuable resource in this arena. Her knowledge of clinical practices and her dedication to providing excellent care is evident to all who seek her guidance in the application and execution of policies and procedures.
Irene’s leadership influence extends even beyond excellent patient care. As a great leader, she speaks to the heart of the nurse, empowering nurses to become the leaders they are meant to be, to pursue higher degrees of education, to speak up, and to take their clinical practice to the highest level of scope. Irene demonstrates this through the work she leads in the Ambulatory Professional Practice Council, DAISY Awards committee, Ambulatory Magnet Journey, and in her participation on the Magnet Steering Committee.