Karen Rodriguez
Burbank,USA
Summary
Professional Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner with robust experience in providing pediatric general surgery care. Skilled in patient assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving optimal patient outcomes. Adaptable to changing needs and consistently reliable. Valued for clinical expertise, compassionate care, and effective communication skills.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center
11.2010 - Current
- Provide daily complex care coordination for team of six Pediatric Surgeons covering the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Region, ensuring children with pediatric surgical needs receive timely and high quality pediatric surgical care service. Work with multiple medical centers and various pediatric medical and surgical specialists (Orthopedics, Plastic Surgery, Oncology, Pulmonology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, etc.) to optimize patient care and provide a family-centered approach to care delivery for the most complex pediatric cases in the region. Serve as a resource to outpatient pediatricians and family medicine physicians to ensure timely access to pediatric surgical services for their patients.
- Provide direct daily care to seriously ill neonates, children, and young adults with acute and chronic surgical needs. Work daily with attending physicians, medical students, house-staff residents, nursing managers, bedside nurses and other advanced practice providers (APP). Maintain own patient panel of children with chronic surgical conditions, complex anorectal malformations, disorders requiring gastrostomy tubes, colostomy, ileostomy care, and bowel management issues. Provide post-operative care and follow up for children and families.
- Development of centralized Pediatric Surgery referral “HUB” -2011
- Implementation and development of specialty care clinic: Pediatric Surgery Anorectal Malformation/ Bowel Management Clinic
- Kaiser Permanente Pediatric Care (KPPC)- provide clinical perspective and content expertise to leadership.
- Pediatric Surgery Morbidity/ Mortality monthly educational conference coordination
- Advanced Practice Providers (APP) Group-Coordination Committee 2011-Present
- Medical Staff Office Committee Interdisciplinary Practice (CIDP) - Nurse Practitioner Member 2011- Present
- Department of General Surgery UBT- APP Representative 2011-2017
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
09.2003 - 11.2010
- Provided daily care to seriously injured children and their families, in addition to managing General Pediatric Surgery patients at a busy Level I Pediatric Trauma Center. Responsible for coordination of multidisciplinary team to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Development of Clinical Guidelines and Standards. Spearhead multiple on-going Performance Improvement/ Quality Improvement Projects for General Surgery/ Pediatric Trauma patient populations. Teaching to nursing staff, pediatric and surgical house- staff, medical students, critical care and surgical fellows. Provided an independent Trauma follow-up clinic in addition to supporting eleven Pediatric Attending Surgeons and their patient's outpatient clinic care needs.
- Advanced Practice Nursing Group at Children's Hospital Los Angeles-Chair 2001-2010
- Medical Staff Committee - Committee on Interdisciplinary Practice - Lead Nurse Practitioner Representative/Liaison 1999-2010
- Lead Nurse Practitioner – 2002- 2010
- Level I Pediatric Trauma Center - Trauma Program Nurse Practitioner – 2007-2010
- American College of Surgeons (ACS) and Los Angeles County Trauma Verification and Site Survey – 2007 and 2010
- Morbidity and Mortality meetings and Quarterly Quality Improvement meetings 2000-2010
- “Road to Magnet” 2008-Lead Nurse Practitioner
- Versant RN Residency- Nurse Practitioner – 2000- 2010.
- Gastrostomy Tube Standardized Procedure: A House Wide Performance Improvement Project – 2006
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner / Nurse Manager
Boulevard Pediatrics, Inc.
Encino, California
07.2008 - 04.2009
- Provided primary pediatric medical care to children and their families. Managed staff of 4 medical assistants, 3 licensed vocational nurses, 3 receptionists and 2 insurance billers/ coders. Ensured proper documentation and OSHA compliance was maintained in the office. Prepared staff and physicians for audits and visits by major payers- United Healthcare, Cigna, Healthcare Partners.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
10.1999 - 09.2003
- Performed pre-operative history and physical examinations in preparation for surgical procedures. Worked closely with anesthesia and surgical staff to ensure child's readiness for operative procedures. Prepared business plan to support need for more APP's given growing demand of peri-operative area. At my departure, practice had grown to 15 nurse practitioners in three separate peri-operative areas; Main OR: 15 rooms, Ambulatory Surgery Center: 5 rooms, Procedure Rooms, and Ancillary Areas such as Radiology.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
01.1999 - 10.1999
- Provided care in the Urgent Care and Emergency Department. Diagnosed and treated common illnesses of childhood. Patient and family education pertaining to immunizations, car seat/ bike safety, nutrition/ diet and other anticipatory guidance topics.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
07.1996 - 01.1999
- Provided daily care to children with diseases specific to the head and neck. Provided initial evaluation and work up for the surgeon, specifically for children being referred for tonsillectomy/ adenoidectomy and/ or chronic otitis media. Established recommendations for primary care givers on proper initial treatment of otitis media and developed a “When to refer” brochure for primary care givers. Managed the complex needs of families and children with tracheotomies.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
05.1995 - 07.1996
- Performed pre-operative history and physical examinations in preparation of children for surgical procedures. Worked closely with anesthesia and surgical staff to ensure child's readiness for operative procedures. First nurse practitioner to work in this capacity and setting at CHLA.
Lecturer/ Clinical Instructor Undergraduate School of Nursing
Azusa Pacific University
09.1994 - 06.1995
- Instructed and supervised undergraduate nursing students during their pediatric rotations. Provided supervision in the hospital and lectured on all aspects of care of the pediatric patient.
Clinical Nurse II
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
08.1992 - 05.1995
- Performed the duties of a registered nurse in this fast-paced emergency department. At the time we saw approximately 45,000 patients in the ED per year. Cross-covered to PICU and Transport Team services.
Education
Master of Science Nursing - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
University of California
Los Angeles01-1995
Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Nursing, Child Psychology
Azusa Pacific University
01-1992
Skills
- Medicolegal Expert Review/ Testimony- Pediatric Surgery and Trauma
- Pediatric Trauma Care
- Research Coordination
- Nurse Practitioner Professional Practice Issues
- Standardized Procedure Development
- Medical Staff Process for Advanced Practice Providers
- Legislative Issues affecting Local, Regional, and National Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistants Practice
Affiliations
- American Pediatric Surgeon Association -APSA- Section of Affiliated Professionals in Pediatric Surgery -SOAPPS Member 2024- Present
- National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) Member: 1995- Present Member: Special Interest Group - Acute Care
- National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners -Los Angeles Chapter Member: 1995-Present Member: Executive Board 2002-2004, 2006-2007 Member: Annual Regional Conference Committee 2007- Present
- American Pediatric Surgical Nurses Association (APSNA) Member: 2003- Present Member: Program Committee 2003- 2010 Member: Executive Board 2012-14 Member: Special Interest Groups: Practice Management, Pectus Excavatum, Bowel Management, Trauma Contributor: Specialty Content 2008- Present Book/ Chapter Reviewer 2008
- Sigma Theta Tau- Nursing Honor Society Azusa Pacific University Iota Sigma Chapter
- Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam - 2005 Item Writer
Certification
- Pediatric Nursing Certification Board Dually Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care/ Acute Care Certification # 3476
- California Board of Registered Nursing RN # 480512 NP# 7847
- California Board of Registered Nursing Nurse Practitioner Furnishing # 7847
- National Provider Number NPI #1154644813
- Drug Enforcement Agency-DEA Schedule II-VI #xxxxxx095
- American Heart Association Basic Life Support Provider (BLS)
Professional Activities
- American Pediatric Surgical Nurses Association: APSNA 28th Annual Scientific Conference, May 2020- Virtual Same Day Discharge Pectus Excavatum Repairs- ERAS Kaiser Permanente Experience
- Pediatric Surgery APP Annual Conference: 2nd Annual Pediatric Surgery Conference: Committee Member/ Speaker Coordinator/ Presenter-September 2019 Complex Anorectal Malformations/ Implementation of Complex Anorectal Malformation/ Bowel Management Program
- Pediatric Surgery APP Annual Conference: 1st Annual Pediatric Surgery Conference Committee Member/ Speaker Coordinator/ Presenter- September 2018 The Surgical Neonate
- American Pediatric Surgical Nurses Association: APSNA 26th Annual Scientific Conference, May 2018 Pectus Excavatum Care After Implementation of Intraoperative cryoICE Therapy - Kaiser Permanente Experience
- National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Los Angeles Chapter (NAPNAP-LA) Annual Regional Conference April 2017 Pediatric Surgery for the Primary Care Provider
- National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Los Angeles Chapter (NAPNAP-LA) Annual Regional Conference April 2016 Nurse Practitioner Legal Responsibilities
- Pacific Association of Pediatric Surgeons Annual Scientific Meeting-May 2014 Long-term incidence of adhesive small bowel obstruction following repair of gastroschisis (Sydorak, Rodriguez, Shaul)
- Pediatric Nurse Liaison Conference - May 2012 Pediatric Surgical Emergencies
- American Pediatric Surgical Nurses Association: APSNA 21st Annual Scientific Conference-May 2012 Intestinal Magnetism - Surgical Intervention
- National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Los Angeles Chapter (NAPNAP-LA) Annual Regional Conference April 2011 Pediatric Surgery: 101
- American Pediatric Surgical Nurses Association: APSNA 19th Annual Scientific Conference- May 2010 Nurse Practitioner Championed Trauma Continuity Clinic Implementation
- Society of Trauma Nurses National Conference –April 2010- Poster Nurse Practitioner Championed Trauma Continuity Clinic Implementation
- Society of Trauma Nurses National Conference –April 2009- Poster Nurse Practitioner Championed Clinic- A Medical Home
- American Pediatric Surgical Nurses Association: APSNA 16th Annual Scientific Conference May 2007 Congenital Uterine Anomalies Anatomical Review/ Case Presentation
- APSNA 13th Annual Scientific Conference - 2004 Choledochal Cyst Anatomical Review/ Case Presentation
- Rettig, R. L., Rudikoff, A. G., Lo, H. Y., Lee, C. W., Vazquez, W. D., Rodriguez, K., … Sydorak, R. M. (2021). Same day discharge for pectus excavatum—is it possible? Journal of Pediatric Surgery.
- Tsai, Jerry, Shaul, Donald B., Sydorak, Roman M., Lau, Stanley T., Akmal, Yasir, Rodriguez, Karen A; Ingestion of Magnetic Toys: Report of Serious Complications Requiring Surgical Intervention and a Proposed Management Algorithm. Permanente Journal; 17(1): 11-14, Winter 2013.
- Rodriguez, Karen A., Lyons, E.; Gastroschisis: A Review. American Pediatric Surgical Nurses Association (APSNA) Sutureline. Vol. 19, Issue 3, Spring 2012.
- Rodriguez, Karen A., Goodhue, C., Upperman, J. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Implementation of a Pediatric Trauma Continuity Clinic Utilizing the "Medical Home" Model. Journal of Trauma Nursing. 17(2):64-66, April/June 2010.
- Reuter-Rice, K., Bolnick, B. Pediatric Acute Care: A Guide for Interprofessional Practice. Rodriguez, Karen A. Abdominal Pain/Abdominal Mass 481-489. 2008
- Kline, A., Reider, M., Rodriguez, K., Van Roeyen, L. Journal of Pediatric Health Care. Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioners: Providing Quality Care for Acute and Critically Ill Children. Vol. 21., 268-272. July/ Aug 2007
TEACHING/ FACULTY APPOINTMENTS
- 1998- Present UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES SCHOOL OF NURSING Assistant Clinical Professor Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program Provide clinical topic discussions, mentoring and precepting of many Pediatric Nurse Practitioner students.
- 2018-Present UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK Family Nurse Practitioner Program Preceptor for Nurse Practitioner Student's
Honors
- Nurse of the Year: Professionalism- 2015 Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center
- Daisy Award Nominee- 2011 Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center
- County of Los Angeles Mayors Commendation for Outstanding Care October 2012
- City of North Hollywood Jewish Community Center Shooting- August 1999
- Recognition and Commendation- Congressman Brad Sherman, City of Los Angeles Honors for Valor Service- January 1994 Northridge Earthquake- Charge Nurse in Emergency Department at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles night of early morning natural disaster.
Timeline
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center
11.2010 - Current
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner / Nurse Manager
Boulevard Pediatrics, Inc.
07.2008 - 04.2009
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
09.2003 - 11.2010
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
10.1999 - 09.2003
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
01.1999 - 10.1999
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
07.1996 - 01.1999
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
05.1995 - 07.1996
Lecturer/ Clinical Instructor Undergraduate School of Nursing
Azusa Pacific University
09.1994 - 06.1995
Clinical Nurse II
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
08.1992 - 05.1995
Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Nursing, Child Psychology
Azusa Pacific University
Master of Science Nursing - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
University of California