Sandra Diaz Career Panels
Nursing instructor Sandra Diaz, who died of COVID-19 complications on January 29, 2021, was a vital member of the De Anza College community – first as a student, and later as a faculty member, colleague and friend.
(Read more about Sandra in this President's Message, the Academic Senate's Resolution and this story about the 2021 faculty tenure celebration.)
The annual Sandra Diaz Nursing Profession Career Panel event brings nursing professionals from a variety of disciplines together to share insights and experiences from their own academic and career journeys.
2025: Registered Nurses on the Front Lines
- Tuesday, March 4, 2025: 12:15-3 p.m.
These panelists discussed their challenges, celebrations and current work on the front lines:
- Oraly Heraz Sanchez, RN, BSN, Clinical Nurse
- Hannah Berberich, BSN, RN, CCRN-NAR 2
- Christine Jew Miyamoto, BSN, RN, CCRN-NAR 2
- Jany Melgar, BSN, RN, CCRN-NAR 2
- Moderator: Adrian Espinosa, MPH, MS, PHN, RN, FNP-BC (Co-Founder and President SOLN)
Additional activities included a clinical skills lab in the Nursing Quad and the dedication of a Sandra Diaz Bench in the S Quad, with songs by @MoniCanta
This event was presented by the Diversity Health Care and Engagement Committee and cosponsored by DALA, Office of Equity, MESA, the Nursing Department, Society of Latinx Nurses (SOLN) and UndocuSTEM.
2024: Uplifting Pathways to Health Careers
- Wednesday, March 6, 2024: 6-7:30 p.m.
Registered nurses shared their academic and career journeys to inspire and motivate De Anza students interested in health careers.
Hear from a panel of health professionals and students, including
- Rosafel Nogra, DNP, FNP-C, PHN, director of De Anza Student Health Services
- Yesi Xitlalic Riles, RN, RNC-OB, BSN C-EFM, Labor & Delivery, El Camino Hospital
- Daniela Vargas, MSN, MPH, MA-Bioethics, RN, PHN
- PeelGadol Ben Yisrael, nursing student at De Anza College
- Find out about SB 1159 and undocumented student programs
- Learn more about De Anza's health career resources and programs
Presented by the APASA Filipinx Caucus; PE-Athletics Division; Career Technical Education (CTE) Division; De Anza Latinx Association (DALA); Equity Office; Health and Life Science Village; Higher Education for AB 540 Students (HEFAS); Latinas in Bio; Math Performance Success (MPS); Math, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA); Nursing Department; Society of Latinx Nurses; Student Health Services; UndocuSTEM
2023: Registered Nurses on the Front Lines
The Third Annual Sandra Diaz Nursing Professions Career Panel was held on April 26, 2023, with speakers including
- Dr. Liz Aquino, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, University of Illinois, Chicago, School of Nursing
- Eliana Lopez, BSN, RN, Clinical Nurse II, Stanford Health Care
- Erik Francisco Martinez, RN, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center
- Silvinita "Nita" Rowe, RN, DNP, CNOR Nursing 50 Instructor, De Anza College Nursing Department
Co-sponsors included the STEM Success Program, the Nursing Department, Career Technical Education Division, Student Success and Retention Services, Society of Latinx Nurses, De Anza Latinx Association and the Office of Equity, Social Justice and Multicultural Education.
2022: Second Annual Sandra Diaz Panel Event
This event is presented by De Anza's Diversity Health Care Engagement Committee. Co-sponsors include the De Anza Athletics Department; Career Technical Education Division; HEFAS; Latinas in Bio; Office of Equity, Social Justice and Multicultural Education; Nursing Department; Society of Latinx Nurses; STEM Success Program; Student Health Services; and the Student Success Center.
2021: First Annual Sandra Diaz Career Panel
Nursing professionals discussed their academic and career journeys – including challenges, celebrations and their current role in the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic – during this online panel held April 27, 2021.