Nursing Profiles

Maria Abot - 6South
Jeff Bunditsatheon - 7ICU
Linda Castro - PACU
Kathy Coe - 6N
Kimberly Howard - 4S-ICU
Judith James - Psych
Wayne Jones - 7North
Laurel Kemp - Cath Lab
Thomas Mansaray - 5North
Mario Manzano - OPSC
Kim Matthys - ATICU
Kathleen Rosales - CTICU
Melinchie Tana - 3South
Thelma P. Zamora - Surgery

Maria Abot:
I have been employed at USCUH for almost three years now and I get the feeling of making a difference in other people's lives.  Although sometimes you don't always get what you'd hope for in patient outcomes, which makes it difficult, at least you know in your heart and in your mind that you did your best.  Professionally, I have gained not just the excellent training, but also the camaraderie of my colleagues striving hard to work together for the benefit of both patients and staff. 

Wayne Jones:
I feel privileged to work with our excellent surgeons and strive to provide nursing care equal to their surgical care.  In my own unit, I work with a wonderful group of very knowledgeable nurses who are always willing to help each other out.  The collegial atmosphere of a teaching hospital, where interns often need our guidance is also stimulating and rewarding.

Laurel Kemp:
I work with a great team.  I look forward to coming to work every day.  We strive to take really good care of our patients and we often get positive feedback from patients like 'you guys work really well together,' or 'you all seem to really enjoy your work.'  Personally, I have never felt more supported by a group of co-workers.  Everyone has their ups and downs, but people in the cath lab really care about one another.

Thelma P. Zamora:
Being employed here for the last 12 years is one of my "American Dreams" come true, especially give I am a foreign -graduate RN from the Philippines.  This is a great hospital which provides me with not only a tremendous learning experience from the highly specialized surgeries that we perform, but also the opportunity to be of service while meeting the challenge of each day's assigned task and dealing with the multi-ethnic group of people with whom I happily work.  Our department is like a small family supporting my needs as a nurse and as a working mother.  They have inspired me when I pursued my CNOR and also allowed me to go to the AORN convention.  Most importantly, our department accommodates my ever-changing time schedule due to my children's school routine.   I am really grateful for all of this.  This hospital also promised to support we nurses who are interested in continuing with a Master's Degree.   USCUH fulfills my everyday goals as a nurse.  For whatever success this hospital has and will achieve, I am PROUD that I am a part of it.

Kathleen Rosales:
Personally and professionally, I'm very excited to be able to work with high risk patient populations and a qualified health care team.

Melinchie Tana:
My stay here at USCUH has been rewarding both personally and professionally throughout the years.  I have been able to work with some very interesting, informative and intriguing patients, co-workers and medical professionals, making my experience most exciting and educational.  The experiences that USCUH have given me have made me strong and mature in making decisions and dealing with different types of situations.  It has helped me to love what I do, especially when I see my patients smile.  I know in my heart that I helped to make their stay a bit easier.

Kathy Coe:
I remember the anticipation of a new job when I was hired on to USCUH.  Upon arrival, I felt an out-pouring of good feelings from all whom I came in contact with.  That feeling has grown over the past 5 years and this is "home" to me now.  My co-workers are like family.  For me, my job has been all about the care of my patients and families.  They come first to me.  From my teenage years as a nurse's aid to now as an RN, I continue to find my job a rewarding experience.  I work in a supportive environment and continue to grow through some of the educational opportunities offered by USCUH.

Linda Castro:
I have enjoyed professional growth in a supportive unit during my eight years at USC-UH.  Building collaborative relationships with highly specialized services can help us in our goals to improve patient care outcomes as well as provide me with a great sense of self-satisfaction.

Thomas Mansaray:
Personally, I am developing my knowledge about being a caregiver by helping those in need.  I am also working on developing my social and communication skills, as every day I come to work, I meet different people of all ethnic backgrounds.  Professionally, I have been getting excellent training skills needed to provide effectively for my patients.  Since the first day I started here as a new grad, I have experienced improvement in my career.  There are many resources in the hospital available to help me do my job both effectively and efficiently.

Mario Manzano:
I enjoy being able to provide advanced assistance and care to patients undergoing surgical interventions.  Professionally, I am able to work with a conscientious and dedicated surgical team in an ever-evolving surgical environment.

Judith James:
I truly enjoy being able to assist with the care of others.  It provides me with a great sense of self-satisfaction.

Kimberly Howard:
USCUH has allowed me to meet so many great friends.  All the employees here are team players when it comes to patient care and satisfaction.  I am very comfortable here at this facility.  Professionally, I am always challenged by different patient populations.  This has been a great learning and growing experience for me.

Kim Matthys:
We have very bright doctors so we get the opportunity to see patients that some of the other doctors have either given up on or have referred to us for further treatment.  You can't always find that at some of the local community hospitals.  It's a teaching hospital, so you are constantly learning.  The acuity of the patients here is higher than most hospitals.  So if you've worked at USC University Hospital, your future employment options may be better.  I've grown here, professionally, so it's really hard to pull myself away.  It feels like home to me, which means I'm comfortable.  I like being in a place where you are like family and everyone knows you.  After almost 11 years here, I still learn something new almost every day.

Jeff Bunditsatheon:
This unit has provided me with great mentors which have given me the opportunity to build a great foundation in nursing care.  I also have been lucky to develop great relationships with my co-workers which have made the job a little more satisfying as well.