UTSC Candidate Biographies
April 2014
Officer Candidate Biographies
Debra Sung
For UTSC President
I am Debra Sung and I am running for the office of President of United Therapists of Southern California (UTSC). I was on the negotiating team to develop our first contract, and am asking for the opportunity to continue that work as we establish our UNAC/UHCP affiliate. I am passionate about our new opportunities to influence our professional lives, help ensure professional and high quality care for our patients and safeguard work/life balance for our UTSC members.
I graduated from South Dakota State University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, attended physical therapy school at Des Moines University (formerly University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences) and graduated with a Master of Science degree in 1996. I began my Kaiser Permanente career in December of 1997 at Kaiser Sunset. I have worked at various Kaiser locations throughout Southern California and have been in my current position, which includes inpatient and outpatient settings, at Baldwin Park since 2009. Two other accomplishments that I am very proud of include my two children, Ryan (10 yrs) and Natalie (8 yrs).
I am thankful to work for Kaiser Permanente and believe that through our united efforts we can ensure a successful future that benefits our patients and colleagues. Thank you for your consideration.
Preston Kent
For Vice President, Physical Therapy
My name is Preston Kent. The following will provide you with some information about myself. After graduating from the University of Oklahoma with a BS in Physical Therapy, I began employment in 1978 working at St Mary Medical Center in Long Beach California. My job duties involved acute rehab, out-patient and in-patient rotations. I earned a Master’s degree in Health Care Management from CSULB in 1982. In 1994, after 17 years, I left the acute hospital setting to work in capacity of out-patient at Kaiser Permanente in Downey, California. I have been employed with Kaiser Permanente for 20 years as an out-patient Physical Therapist with intermittent weekend acute hospital rotations. As a Downey medical center representative, I was involved in 7 months of negotiations. As a result of these encounters, I have developed a passion towards the implementation and success of our newly written contract.
I decided to run for the position of Physical Therapy Vice President to have more direct participation in resolving issues with Kaiser Permanente management and the involved therapists. As your union officer, I will do everything in my power to represent the wishes and needs of the therapists. Throughout the contract negotiation days, issues were being brought to our attention that, in the past, would have gone unaddressed due to virtually nonexistent inter medical center communication. Also, therapists were not speaking up due to being an at-will employee. By unionizing, we now have an increasingly effective communication system. Work schedules were amongst the most difficult to resolve. Our contract language does allow for ongoing committees to be formed and meet toward resolutions in dealing with therapist work schedule issues. By working together, I will assist the therapists in mediating resolutions in a more timely and effective manner. I am looking forward to your support.
Terri Chavez, OTR/L, NDT, PAM
For Vice President, Occupational Therapy
My name is Terri Chavez and I served on the contract committee this past year. It has been my pleasure and honor to illustrate the experience and aptitude my fellow OTs/PTs/RTs provide for Kaiser Permanente. Because of my KP experience, I was able to be instrumental in debating and contributing to the current contract. I believe my KP experience and exposure to the negotiation process has afforded me the insight to represent you as the Vice President of Occupational Therapy.
Over the 17 years here at KP I have had numerous areas of experience including working as a Senior Occupational Therapist for 5 facilities, served on the front line of program development in Orange County and various committees for OT/PT regionally and nationally. I have clinical experience in all areas including outpatient hands/upper extremity, pediatrics, neuro, inpatient services and NICU. I am now closer to home in Ontario/Fontana working with these populations.
My experience on this negotiating team has revealed OT/PT/RTs working together better than I’ve ever seen. We were able to communicate the value and needs in our services and the potential for amazing undertakings in our future. The future is promising and would be better served with contract familiarity to complete this process. I feel it would be valuable to lend my voice to implement the contract we have set forth.
For those of you who know me, you know I have the passion for our discipline and will not hesitate to stand up for us. For those who do not know me, I would welcome the opportunity to represent you and voice your concerns. I welcome you to email me with any questions as you make your decision.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely, Terri A. Chavez, OTR/L, NDT, PAM
Roselle Atienza, PT, MPT
For Vice President, Home Health
I am a graduate of the University of the Philippines with a BS in Physical Therapy in 1993. After immigrating to the United States, I enrolled at Loma Linda University and earned a Master's degree in Physical Therapy. Currently, I am pursuing my Doctorate degree In PT.
For the last 20 years, I have been working as a Physical Therapist with the emphasis on Home Health for over 14 years.
I came to America for the opportunity to make my life better. Now, I want to give back by making our lives better while balancing our personal lives and duties as Home Health Therapists.
I am driven and passionate in fighting for our rights for a better work environment, and opportunities to improve our skills.
Daniel Eriksson, HHPT
For Vice President, Home Health
Dear Fellow Home Health Therapists:
I am Daniel Eriksson, HHPT. I have had the privilege for 12 years of being a part of and working for Kaiser Permanente San Diego in her Home Health department as a Physical Therapy Case Manager.
I was an integral part of our early grass roots campaigns by attending meetings and rallying our fellow therapists to understand and vote for the opportunity we had at the onset of our new and improved Union endeavors. I am seeking the VP position to further serve you all by continuing to be involved with UNAC/UHCP and improving how it affects us all as Kaiser Therapists in Home Health. I fully understand and appreciate our work loads and our responsibilities. I hold the necessary focus to be a part of the advancement of our current situation with respect to all areas of our day to day careers in Home Health. If I am fortunate enough to gain your trust in this position, then I look forward to working with Labor and Management to find and create positive, efficient ways to make our patient's lives as well as our own lives better. I thank you all for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Daniel Eriksson, HHPT
Yohan Peck, MPT
For Vice President, Home Health
Greetings friends and colleagues! I’m excited to have this opportunity to represent the ambitions and interests of the Greater Los Angeles Area Home Health Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists.
First, a brief summary of my experience and qualifications. I’ve been a physical therapist for 12 years and have experienced working in a diversity of settings, including: Home Health (LAMC), In-patient (LAMC & Cedars Sinai), SNF, and Acute Rehab. My recent leadership roles within my current home health department include: UBT (Unit Based Team) representative and participation in patient satisfaction improvement projects.
Why am I running for this position? I have a passion for ensuring our patients receive effective, compassionate treatment. I also have a passion for self-improvement and a vision for the improvement and well-being of my colleagues. I believe a high quality patient experience can only be delivered through the hands of well-trained professionals who share a common vision of excellent care. Through our joint collaboration of defining what kind of training we desire and defining what excellent customer service looks like, I believe we can significantly improve the value that our PTs and OTs bring to Kaiser Permanente and the patients we serve.
I look forward to working with you in the upcoming years, in joining us together, for a unified vision of excellent care and improving our professional skills and the value we bring as therapists.
Sincerely,
Yohan Peck, MPT
Peter Rambo, PT
For UTSC Treasurer
I have been a PT with Kaiser for 24 years. Currently I specialize in treating the outpatient vestibular and balance impaired patient. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and MS in PT. Having been involved with the Therapist/Kaiser management process since this all began approximately 5-6 years ago, as well as being a member of the contract negotiation team, I would like the opportunity to continue serving as part of the Union team as the Treasurer. I strongly believe in elevating and supporting the professional growth of Physical, Occupational and Recreation Therapy.
I am proud of the contract that we negotiated and the unity we demonstrated in our ratification vote. I offer a commitment to a professional organization with the belief that I am representing all of our professions. How does one say that they are good with numbers and have excellent organizational skills without sounding egotistical? I believe I have both those qualities and would make a good treasurer. If nothing else, vote for me because my name truly is RAMBO!
Benjamin Chen, MPT, OCS, Board Certified Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy
For UTSC Steward Coordinator (2 Year Term)
Coming from a family of Kaiser employees I attained dual bachelor’s degrees at Miami University of Ohio, and completed my clinical degree at University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. Throughout my educational pursuits, I was fortunate to have training in leadership through various organizations. Also, during my term as president of student government, I learned the importance of strong communication skills in motivating and persuading others when solving problems as a team.
I have worked in the health care field since 1996, providing care in various clinical settings from the Emergency Department to the Rehabilitation Department. When I became a health care professional in 2002, I advanced my skills as a leader and team builder while working. During my time as Team Leader of a group of outpatient therapists at Physiotherapy Associates, I was responsible for training staff, planning education, and heading meetings. I came on board to Kaiser in 2006 and helped open clinics in the Ontario Medical Center.
As Steward Coordinator, I intend to assist in the recruitment and training of the future leaders of our professional union. This is integral to continuing the legacy we have begun with UNAC/UHCP. Effective Stewards will keep our organization united and on task.
Nancy Eriksson
For Steward Coordinator
My name is Nancy Eriksson and I have been part of the Kaiser organization since March 2002 as a San Diego Home Health PT case manager before transitioning to the San Diego Continuing Care department in 2009 as a Clinical Specialist II. During my tenure I have been involved in many UBT positions and realize the importance of being an active participate in all aspects of our work environment and not just limited to our specific job skills.
Currently I am the President of my own HOA and have been since 2006 so I understand the dedication needed in fulfilling the obligations of an officer within an organization. I possess the focus to fully engage in the union process to work for all of us to better our positions as therapists within the Kaiser organization as we begin this new Labor Management Partner relationship.
Warm Regards,
Nancy Eriksson
Dorna Hoseiny
For UTSC Steward Coordinator (2 Year Term)
I am originally from Vienna, Austria and moved to Texas at the age of 13, where I attended both High School and the University of Texas at Austin for my undergraduate degree in Psychology. I received my Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Columbia University in New York City. I joined Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles in 2012, where I work in the inpatient setting with adults and also assist with the Pulmonary Rehab group on a monthly basis.
Having only been a Californian since the beginning of 2012 I can see myself staying here for the long haul, due to its perfect weather and beautiful landscapes. In my free time you will find me enjoying one of the many activities that can be done outdoors, especially in close proximity to the ocean.
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