Her Story
About Shannon
Shannon Hicks is the Care Without Delay Director in the Emergency Department at Kaiser Permanente San Leandro, where she leads initiatives focused on optimizing patient throughput and ensuring individuals receive the right care at the right time and in the most appropriate setting. She collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to improve emergency department efficiency, coordinate seamless transitions of care, and identify innovative alternatives to inpatient hospitalization, including advanced care-at-home programs, helping patients receive safe, high-quality care while reducing unnecessary admissions. With more than three decades of experience in nursing and healthcare leadership, Shannon is widely recognized for her patient-centered approach, operational expertise, and commitment to improving healthcare outcomes.
Shannon's nursing career began in 1993 after spending 12 years as a nurse aide, a foundation that instilled in her a deep appreciation for compassionate, hands-on patient care. She steadily advanced through the profession, earning her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and Registered Nurse (RN) credentials before completing her bachelor's degree and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) concentration from the University of San Francisco. Her extensive clinical background includes critical care and intensive care nursing, experience that continues to shape her evidence-based leadership style and collaborative partnerships with physicians and multidisciplinary care teams. Throughout her career, she has contributed to nursing excellence by serving on a Magnet committee and helping her first hospital achieve prestigious Magnet designation.
Driven by a genuine calling to serve others, Shannon attributes her success to an unwavering commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care. Whether providing simple acts of comfort, mentoring colleagues through graduate education, or leading initiatives that enhance the patient experience, she believes every interaction is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference. She has proudly mentored multiple nurses through master's degree programs and remains active in her community through volunteer service with the Alameda County Community Food Bank. Passionate about developing the next generation of healthcare professionals, Shannon encourages aspiring nurses to pursue the profession not only for its stability and career opportunities but, more importantly, for the privilege of caring for others and positively impacting lives every day.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Shannon
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to answering a calling that I never expected would become my life's work. Nursing has given me the opportunity to serve others with compassion, empathy, and purpose, and I have always believed that the smallest acts of kindness can have the greatest impact, whether that's providing comfort, washing a patient's hair, or simply being present when they need someone most. While working night shifts, raising my children, and continuing my education, I learned the value of perseverance, resilience, and lifelong learning. I was fortunate to be mentored by Mary Jane Colburn, whose guidance shaped both my career and my approach to leadership. Today, I find great fulfillment in mentoring others as they pursue advanced degrees and grow into confident healthcare leaders. Helping people, whether they are patients or future nurses, continues to be the greatest measure of my success.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women to pursue nursing if they have a genuine passion for helping others. It is a career that offers exceptional job security, countless opportunities for growth, and the flexibility to explore a wide range of specialties and leadership paths. Most importantly, never lose sight of why you entered the profession. Technical skills and knowledge are essential, but true success comes from treating every patient with compassion, empathy, and respect. When you lead with a caring heart and remain committed to lifelong learning, you can make a lasting difference in the lives of those you serve while building a rewarding and meaningful career.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me are compassion, integrity, service, and lifelong learning. My journey from nurse aide to nursing leader has taught me that every role has value and that leading with humility, respect, and empathy creates stronger teams and better patient outcomes. Earning my master's degree was one of my proudest professional achievements because it allowed me to expand my leadership, influence positive change, and support the growth of both patients and colleagues. I also take great pride in contributing to my first hospital's achievement of Magnet status, an experience that reinforced my commitment to excellence in nursing. Above all, I strive to keep patients at the center of every decision, while mentoring others, fostering collaboration, and creating a culture where compassionate, high-quality care is always the highest priority.
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