Paula Kelleher, RN, NP, MSN
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Joined Jul, 1986 Department: Surgery Title: Nurse Practitioner Degree: RN, NP, MSN Interests: Gardening is my favorite hobby but hiking, folk dancing, painting and home projects are right in there as well. Practitioner Homepage |
BioI can hardly believe thirty years have passed since I left Penn. State with my bachelor's degree in nursing. Ever the adventurer, I came to California and started my nursing career at UCSF Medical Center. There I honed my medical-surgical hospital skills as a new graduate. Something was missing for me, though, and I realized I wanted to be involved in well-care, keeping people out of the hospital. An opportunity to work for the Oakland Perinatal Health Project arose and my change to women's health occurred. Women's health (or "Ob-Gyn") was the perfect match: health education and promotion a large part of the care but with enough clinical challenges to keep me interested. I spent the next several years involved as a nurse in both outpatient and inpatient care and came north to Sonoma County to work in labor and delivery at Community Hospital (now Sutter). It was at Community Hospital that I met the Ob-Gyns doctors from Kaiser (we didn't have a hospital yet) and my relationship with Kaiser was "born". I went back to UCSF, this time to the School of Nursing, and received my Master's in Nursing, with a certification as a women's health nurse practitioner, in May, 1986. Most of my clinical training was at Kaiser and I was hired July 1, 1986. I'm happy to say I'm just as pleased to be here at Kaiser Santa Rosa today as I was twenty years ago. We have a great medical center, committed leadership and wonderful patients. No wonder these thirty years of nursing have flown by. | |
My Medical Specialty | |
More details about my specialty:I've spent most of my career as a women's health specialist. In 1994, I joined the staff of the Breast Care Center in the Department of Surgery. In my role as nurse practitioner, I evaluate women with breast health concerns, including breast cancer screening. Being part of the work to diagnose and treat breast cancer patients has special meaning for me. Both my mother, sister and myself are breast cancer survivors and I know the impact the diagnosis has on a woman and her family's lives. Helping smooth the way for proper care is something special I can give. I'm proud to be part of a great team here at the Breast Center. My specialty interests and affiliations within my field:Teaching clinicians to do a better breast exam and to understand breast care issues is an ongoing interest of mine. For many years, medical and NP residents from Sutter, Sonoma State and UCSF have spent time in my clinic learning. In addition, I have taught with the Breast Cancer Early Detection Project for the California Dept. Of Health Services and served on the state committee for provider education in breast care. My hope is for patients to benefit from the enhanced training. Great health resources that I refer to:See the Breast Care Center web page on the Kasier Santa Rosa site. The link can be found on the Surgery Department page. There are lots of resources and information listed there. |
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Interests | |
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The pinnacle of my hiking days was summiting Mt. Whitney at 14,500 ft. What an experience! Fabulous views and terrain plus the feeling of accomplishment, as every step above 12,000 ft. requires extraordinary effort. It's something I'll never forget. Gardening is my other love;there's something about growing beautiful plants and vegetables that nourishes all of me. This past year, we finished a great deal of our backyard and with the wonderful weather we had, everything grew like crazy. Here's a photo of our fire pit area where we sit on cool summer evenings. My favorite book or author: Great movie: |
Hobby Photos & Links:
On top of Mt. Whitney 
the corner of my garden |
Family & Friends | |
People in my life:I happily share a home with Richard, my partner of six years. We share many interests, especially a love of the outdoors. The house was recently remodeled and I moved in after it was done! The ongoing project is the garden and you'll find Richard and me out there this spring. My children and people I care about:My pride and joy is Alissa, my 20 year old daughter. She is a junior at Pomona College in Claremont, one of the Claremont Colleges in southern California. I'm happy to say she loves Pomona and is always busy with her studies and activities. This spring she is studying abroad at the University College London. Arts are her interest as is science so her double major is neuroscience and dance. Alissa will be doing both at UCL and I'm quite proud of her! |
Photos of my Family & Friends:
Richard and me in Seattle 
my daughter, Alissa |
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My pets: Richard and I have two "old ladies". Sosable is our 12 year old brown dog, a rescue pup who has spaniel in her. Callie is the 13 year old calico, cranky as ever (hence no photo), but still a pretty cat. Those two keep us quite amused. |
Pet Photos:
Sosable |
Travel | |
Favorite place in the world:One of our most favorite places is Wright's Lake up in Desolation Wilderness, just southwest of Lake Tahoe. It's pristine Sierra granite, water and forest with lots of trails and places to explore. We go most years with a group of friends to camp under the stars (on an air mattress, of course). We are so lucky to have such a place nearby to enjoy! One of my recent trips:In 2007, I went to Seattle for the first time. Despite the rainy weather, I enjoyed exploring the city. Pikes Market was especially fun and here I am at one of many flower stands. |
Trip Photos:
Pikes Market |