Appreciating Our Nurses

National Nurses Week, celebrated annually from May 6th to May 12th, is a special time to appreciate the incredible dedication, compassion, and clinical expertise of On Lok's nursing professionals.

To celebrate this week, we are thrilled to shine a spotlight on four amazing nurses from different centers across our organization. Internal Communications asked these four nurses—who represent just a fraction of our outstanding team—to reflect on this year's theme, "The Power of Nurses," and their answers capture how that power fuels the PACE environment and impacts the lives of our participants.

Join us in celebrating and getting to know these four powerful nurses!

• Leda Reyes, LVN | On Lok PACE San Jose Center | 5 years at On Lok | 20 years total

  • "My superpower as a nurse is being compassionate, resilient, and calm under pressure."

• Isaiah Saluta (they/he), RN Lead | On Lok PACE Peralta Center | 2 years at On Lok | 4 years total this August

  • "My nursing superpower is making complex ideas easier to understand and empowering patients to take care of their health."

• Suki - Shi Qi He, LVN | On Lok PACE Gee Center, Jade | At On Lok since 2014 | 11 years an LVN

  • "My nursing superpower is being highly organized to ensure patient safety and accurate medication processing."

• Jessica Wong, RN | On Lok PACE Gee Center, Rose | 4 years at On Lok | 4 years a nurse

  • "My superpower as a nurse is the ability to connect with participants."

The PACE model allows us to provide comprehensive, wrap-around care for our seniors. In your experience, how does the 'power of nursing' uniquely drive the success of this model at On Lok?

Isaiah: "As nurses, we have the opportunity to meet participants where they're at with their health issues. We can partner with other team members to educate them with medication management and lifestyle changes. We also have the opportunity to take the time to learn about their health issues from their perspective and empower them or act as advocates for their needs."

Leda: "In my experience, the power of nursing is the nurse connection between the participants, their families and the team. It helps build trust and quality in our care."

Working so closely with our participants allows for deep, meaningful relationships. Can you share a powerful moment or story where you felt your nursing care profoundly impacted an On Lok participant's quality of life or helped them maintain their independence?

Suki: "I recall during the COVID-19 pandemic, a senior couple chose to discontinue their home care services and planned to manage their medications independently. I provided education and training on how to properly use their medipak, take as-needed medications, and the easy way to administer eye drops and eye ointment. In addition, I prepared a medication report translated into Chinese so they could clearly understand their medication regimen. This extra support improved their comprehension, promoted medication safety, and further enabled them to manage their treatment independently and confidently at home."

Jessica: "I have a participant that is highly anxious, has a fear of clinical staff, and does not like any medical procedures. However, I had earned her trust through empathy and kindness as her nurse, then she became willing to receive care."

At On Lok, our nurses work alongside interdisciplinary teams. How does the power of the nursing perspective strengthen the collaborative care provided?

Isaiah: "Nurses have a unique, flexible role that can help facilitate collaboration through continuity of care. With how often we see participants in the clinic, at the center, or in the field, we cultivate relationships not only for ourselves with participants, but also between other team members and participants."

Jessica: "By working with the Interdisciplinary Team, we are able to bridge the gap of care by not just focusing on treating a specific medical condition, but by caring for the person as a whole."

Nursing requires immense strength, both physical and emotional. What fuels your personal power and resilience on challenging days, and what keeps you passionate about serving our older adult community?

Jessica: "Most of our participants come from vulnerable backgrounds, and being the person they trust for help and to solve their problems fuels my personal power and resilience on challenging days. This further deepens my passion about serving our older adult community because I had my first nursing experience by helping manage my grandma’s chronic conditions at the age of 5."

Leda: "There are days that are more challenging than others. What helps me stay resilient is finding joy every day, whether it is making participants or my peers laugh or sharing stories about our lives. Feeling connected allows me to put my best foot forward, and empathy fuels my resilience."

To Leda, Isaiah, Suki, Jessica, and every single nurse across our organization—thank you. We are incredibly grateful that you choose to use your powers here at On Lok every single day. ❤️