Paula E. Edwards

Paula Edwards is the Executive Director of the National Care Coordination Center at Kaiser Permanente, where she provides executive leadership for care coordination initiatives that improve patient outcomes and strengthen continuity of care across the organization. With more than two decades of healthcare leadership experience, she has held progressive roles spanning operations, post-acute services, case management, hospice, palliative care, and clinical nursing. Her expertise in leading multidisciplinary teams and optimizing healthcare delivery has positioned her as a respected leader committed to advancing high-quality, patient-centered care.

Paula's career is a testament to perseverance and continuous growth. She began as a unit clerk while attending school in eastern North Carolina, working her way into nursing before launching her clinical career in a cardiac intensive care unit. She later served as a travel nurse in Arizona and spent a decade leading hospice and palliative care programs, including managing an inpatient facility. After joining Kaiser Permanente, she expanded her leadership experience across primary care, pediatrics, care management, and national continuum operations, steadily advancing into executive leadership through a commitment to excellence and service.

Throughout her career, Paula has remained passionate about improving healthcare systems while ensuring compassionate care remains at the center of every decision. She is dedicated to developing high-performing teams, enhancing care coordination, and creating operational strategies that improve the patient experience across the continuum of care. Her journey from frontline caregiver to executive leader reflects her belief in lifelong learning, servant leadership, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients, families, and healthcare professionals alike.