(SALINAS, Calif., June 6, 2025) — Natividad hosted its sixth annual Innovation, Patient Safety & Quality Improvement Showcase on Thursday, June 5, bringing together clinical leaders, family medicine residents and interdisciplinary teams to present innovative quality improvement projects focused on advancing patient safety, eliminating health care disparities and elevating health equity throughout the region.

Co-sponsored by the Natividad Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Committee and the Natividad Family Medicine Residency Program, the event featured narrated poster presentations judged on measurable impact, interdisciplinary collaboration and potential to improve patient care. The event took place from noon to 3:00 p.m. at Natividad’s Nora Dowd Community Courtyard and lobby.

Dr. Julianne Dean, Chair of the Patient Safety & Quality Committee, opened the event with remarks on the critical role of quality initiatives in fostering a culture of safety. She was joined by Natividad CEO Dr. Chad Harris, who underscored the organization's mission of safety, quality and health equity. Additional speakers included Dr. Craig Walls, Chief Medical Officer, and Tammy Perez, RN, Director of Quality.

“Quality improvement is not only central to excellent patient care — it is a cornerstone of the education we provide to the next generation of clinicians,” said Dr. Melissa Nothnagle, Residency Director and Chief of Family Medicine at Natividad.

The showcase featured more than a dozen poster presentations, including:

• A Diabetes Needs Assessment at Laurel Family Practice – Conducted by a resident team serving Spanish-speaking farmworkers in Salinas including Vivian Garcia, MD, Maria Ruiz-Ruelas, FNP, MPH, Bao Ly, DO, Meghan Zander, MD, Marie Schilling, MD, Marissa Scott, MD, Celene Serrato Flamenco, MD, Diana Ornelas, MD, Jacob Ongaro, DO, Jasmine Morante, MD, Stephanie Morales, MD, Alexandra Arnold, MD, Ginger Tissier, MD, Mina Khodabandeh, MD, Annika Kreye, MD, Susan Park, MD,
• Natividad-Led Clinic Outreach to Reduce Anemia at Time of Delivery, Peter Chandler, MD, MPH, Alex Gonzalez, RN, Caroline Kennedy, MD, Alicia Ventura, MD, Victoria Zentner, RN, Bob Peng, MD, Brittany Lore, DO, Hillary Fish, Anthony Leal
• Every Drop Counts: Motivating & Optimizing Maternal Milk in Natividad (MOMMS), Dr. Martha Douglas-Escobar, Monica Nguyen, RN, Carolyn Fisher, RN, Donna Trementozzi, RN, Naomi Amaro, Stephanie Snell, RN, Diane Atsatt, Karen Fiala, CNM, MSN, RN, Kate Hartnett, RN, Lisa Preimesberger, RN

The afternoon concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing top poster presentations for their contributions to clinical innovation and measurable patient impact.

The annual showcase reinforces Natividad’s role as a regional leader in health care quality and its dedication to training healthcare professionals in real-world improvement science that drives better outcomes for all patients.

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About Natividad

Natividad is a hospital and trauma center providing compassionate high-quality health care to everyone, regardless of ability to pay. Located in Salinas, Calif., Natividad is a public health care system offering a wide range of inpatient, outpatient, emergency, diagnostic and specialty medical care for adults and children. Founded in 1886, the 172-bed medical center has more than 11,000 admissions and 60,000 emergency visits annually. Home to the area's only Level II Trauma Center, the hospital's specialized personnel, equipment and services provide a vital local community service that saves lives and keeps patients close to home. Natividad's Baby-Friendly® facility delivers nearly 2,400 babies every year and is affiliated with UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals. It also operates an accredited Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, giving the tiniest and most fragile babies the best chance for a healthy start. Through its UCSF-affiliated Natividad Family Medicine Residency, Natividad is the only teaching hospital in Monterey County. For more information, please call (831) 755-4111 or visit www.natividad.com. 

Media Contact:

Marci Bracco Cain, The Buzz PR

marci@thebuzzpr.net | 831-747-7455

Hillary Fish, Natividad Director of Marketing & Community Relations

fishh@natividad.com | 831-783-2693