Shirley Paulson, DNP, MPA, RN, NEA-BC

Dr. Shirley Paulson, DNP, MPA, RN, NEA-BC, is a distinguished nursing leader with a career spanning over 45 years in healthcare. She began her journey as the first new graduate hired into Stanford’s ICU in 1979 and gained extensive experience as a critical care transport nurse. Her early leadership roles included positions at the VA Palo Alto and Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, where she honed her skills in clinical operations, patient safety, and quality improvement. Over the decades, Dr. Paulson advanced from bedside nursing to senior executive roles, culminating as Regional Director for Adult Patient Care Services at Kaiser Permanente Northern California, where she served until her retirement in 2024. Throughout her tenure at Kaiser Permanente, Dr. Paulson led transformative initiatives that significantly improved patient care and clinical outcomes across 21 medical centers. She was instrumental in developing programs such as the Advance Alert Monitor (AAM), an AI-driven early-warning system for at-risk patients, and the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program, which improved surgical recovery and reduced opioid use. Her teams received numerous regional and national awards, including the Lawrence Award for Quality and Patient Safety, the James Vohs Quality Award, and the Daisy Nurse Leader Award, reflecting her commitment to innovation and excellence in healthcare delivery. Dr. Paulson holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from California State University, East Bay, a Master’s in Healthcare Administration, and an Executive Leadership Doctorate of Nursing Practice from the University of San Francisco. Beyond her formal leadership roles, she continues to mentor nursing students, review academic manuscripts, and consult on healthcare quality and program development. A dedicated advocate for patient safety and professional growth, she also maintains memberships in the American Nursing Association and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. In her personal life, she enjoys travel, crafting, and spending time with her family, including her newborn grandchild.