Unit Director, Pediatric Cardiac ICU and Pediatric Cardiac TCU

Angela's Bio: 

I am a first generation American. I have been a Nurse for 20 years. I entered my BSN program immediately after high school.  I began my career in Chicago and came to UCSF as a traveler two years later. I fell in love with the dynamics of the Pediatric Heart Center and accepted a leadership role in the Pediatric Cardiac Transitional Care Unit. I spent two years there before I had my first child. I then returned to the bedside in the CICU and spent the next 5 years growing my expertise and developing leadership skills.  I had three more children and then I transitioned the Pediatric Cardiac Cath and Electrophysiology Labs. I helped to open the first Pediatric Cardiac PACU before taking an Assistant Unit Director role in the department with cross bay coverage to Oakland Children’s Hospital.  Four years later I returned to the Pediatric Cardiac ICU and TCU as the Unit Director.  

I have had many opportunities for growth and development at UCSF. From starting a mock code program in the CTCU in 2010 to helping to lead our Neonatal Cardiovascular Center of Excellence in the Pediatric Heart Center today, I have had no shortage of opportunities to participate in redefining possible at UCSF! 

What’s on your reading list?   

The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. It helps ground me when I am analyzing the different approaches to leading multiple generations. I’m also hoping it makes me a better mom. 

What advice would you give yourself early on in your career? To a woman entering your field today? 

Do not feel like you ever need to “take a step back” in your career. Whatever life brings you that requires you to chose a different role in your career is also the next steppingstone to your future career advancement.  

Can you tell us about a significant role model or mentor in your life?

Kim Scurr, former Benioff Children’s Hospital Leader. She pushed limits for improvement and growth. She helped to build the vision for Mission Bay Children’s Hospital, and she kept high quality patient and family centered care at the forefront of each step in the process. She taught me that it can never be wrong to advocate for higher quality and greater safety for our patients and families. She taught me the importance of teaching a team how to arrive at their full potential by supporting their development and challenging the status quo.  She had faith in me as a very young leader and helped to shape my development as time went on. 

What brought you to healthcare?

I went into Nursing because I developed a great sense of satisfaction through helping people. My work has transitioned from helping patients and families at the bedside to helping my team develop the skills to strengthen themselves as a united team as well as to develop the individual skills to provide high quality care.  

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