Contact Board Members
To contact any of the board members please email alumni@plu.edu
Janelle Bogart
Graduated from PLU in 1991 with BSN and in 2004 with MSN in Care and Outcomes. Janelle works with CHI – Franciscan Health as the Director for Cardiology Clinic Services. She joined the Nursing Alumni Board to engage and network with alumni and interact with current students.
Beatha Johnson, RN, MBA
- Graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in 1973.
- Worked as a Pediatric RN at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, WA from graduation to 1974.
- Moved to Seattle and worked at University Hospital from 1974 to 1984. Started as a staff nurse first in Pediatrics, then moved to adult Critical Care where I advanced to the assistant head nurse then head nurse. I finished my time at University Hospital as a house supervisor.
- While going to graduate school (1983 – 1984) I continued to work at University Hospital and also Harborview Medical Center part time in Critical Care, Burn Unit and as the house supervisor.
- In 1984, I graduated with a Master’s in Business Administration with a major in Information Systems and a minor in Healthcare Finance.
- I then worked at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, WA for the next thirty years retiring in October 2014. During that time, I was an Administrative Director, Patient Care Operation (1984 – 1994), a Systems Development Manager to Interim Director to Director Information Systems (1994 – 2001) ending as the Director, Clinical Information Systems responsible for implementing an Electronic Medical Record system (2001 – 2014). My greatest achievement was taking the hospital and 450 physician practice from typewriters and paper to near full clinical automation (6.3 out of 7 on the HIMSS scale of Electronic Automation)
I am the second of four children, older brother and two younger sisters. I grew up in Gresham, OR and was the second generation to attend PLU (father, mother, brother and I all had the same PLU English teacher). I enjoy theater, quilting and my volunteer work with Children’s Hospital. I joined the Nursing Alumni Board as a means to give back to the school that gave me my 40+ year career in healthcare.
Virginia (Ginny) Johnson
My name is Virginia (Ginny) Johnson. I graduated from PLU School of Nursing in the class of ’91. I’ve worked at Good Samaritan Hospital for 26 years. I started as a nursing student in the Special Care Unit. After graduation, I was offered a position in labor and delivery at Good Sam and I’ve been there ever since. I guess I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie, the challenge of taking care of both mom and fetus at the same time is what I love most! Anything can happen and when it does it can happen fast!
I have two children. One is in college on a rodeo scholarship and the other in high school playing football. I’m very proud of both of them. My “other” children are horses, goats, dogs and a polydactyl cat.
Megan Kilpatrick '04, ARNP-CS, MSN, AOCNS
- 2+ years as an inpatient oncology RN
- 7+ years as an outpatient oncology infusion (chemo) RN
- Graduated from Seattle Pacific University in 2013 with MSN
- Oncology/Med-Surg educator for large hospital system
- Med-Surg Clinical Nurse Specialist for St. Francis Hospital in Federal Way.
- Licensed as a CNS in 2016
I enjoy spending time with my family, experiencing the great outdoors, cooking and crafting in what little spare time I do have. I’m also active in my church and love traveling to new places.
Barbara L. Olson, MSN, RN
- 1977 – Graduated from Tacoma General School of Nursing in May.
- 1977-1981 – Worked as an RN II at Child Study and Treatment Center: providing inpatient care for emotionally, mentally and behaviorally dis-regulated children, ages: 6-18.
- 1981-1996 – Worked as a Community Nurse Specialist at Western State Hospital’s Center for Forensic Services Community Program.
- 1991- Received my BSN from St Martin’s University.
- 1997- Volunteered for Hospice.
- 2001- Became an unpaid Congregational Health Ministry Nurse, volunteering to the present time at Christ Lutheran Church in Lakewood, WA.
- 2004 – Started part-time work at PLU as a Mental Health Clinical Instructor.
- May 2008 – I graduated with my MSN with a focus on Care and Outcome Management from PLU.
- Via The PLU Wang Center program I have been able to facilitate three J-term Study Away programs to study Traditional Chinese Medicine in China. (2011, 2013 and 2014).
I am the middle child of six kids, 4 sisters and a brother. I grew up in Parkland, WA. I am married to Kent and have one daughter, Heather, and a son, Phillip. I enjoy walking, music, camping, SeaDooing, reading, and being with family and friends. I joined the PLU Nursing Alumni as the school of nursing faculty liaison and am interested in promoting positive collaboration with the community at large.
Shaina Santonil (Delta Iota Chi Representative)
I’m in the nursing program and will be a third-year at Pacific Lutheran University starting Fall 2016. I’m from Dupont, WA but I’ve moved around a lot because my dad was in the military. I have many relatives who are nurses and that presence influenced me to become a nurse. At PLU, besides working as the Delta Nursing Rep for the board, I also work for the Admission office as a tour guide. I get to meet many people every year who are interested in PLU, but my favorite moments are when I get to meet nursing prospective students. It’s been an honor to meet and work with these potential future Lutes. This year, I get to work with Lute alumni. I am so excited for this upcoming year to work with the nursing alumni and the nursing students of Delta Iota Chi!
Leslie (Perry) Watts, BSN, MA Edu
Career:
- BSN PLU ‘65, MA Edu PLU ‘74
- Resort Nurse, Army Nurse (Recovery/ICU/Open Heart Surgery unit), Asst Head Nurse (Recovery/ICU), Clinical Instructor, CCU/ICU Nurse, School Nurse, Chief Nurse
- 40 year career at Pierce College – as College Health Nurse, Mental Health Counselor, Pre-nursing and Allied Health Advisor
- Now retired and work as Exec Director of Nations Social Services, a 501c3 social service agency with a small food bank and emergency assistance for rent, gas, utilities for low income families in Parkland and Spanaway
Accomplishments:
- Helped start School of Nursing at Pierce College; currently on their Nursing Advisory Board.
- Worked with Pierce County Health Careers Consortium focused on coordinating county-wide retention efforts for students training toward health careers
- Received Student Advocate Award by students, Outstanding Faculty Award from administration, and Distinguished Faculty Award by faculty peers
- Served as President x 2 for the PLU Nursing Alumni Board
- Meritorious Service Medal awarded for keeping Practical Nurse Course going during Desert Storm
- Over 45 years experience in consulting and teaching.
Patricia Ann Wigington RN, MSN
- Graduated from PLU in 1986 with BSN
- Graduated from PLU in 1997 with MSN
- 30 years of experience in a variety of clinical settings and clinical roles;
- Medical Surgical hospital units both pediatrics and adult
- Oncology pediatric and adult
- Home Health and Hospice both pediatric and adults
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Manager
- Director
- Chief Operating Office
- 2002 Certification in Aroma therapy
- Currently work as a Medical Center Manager for Kaiser of Washington formerly Group Health.
I am a native of Washington State; born and raised here. I have been married for 30 years and we have 3 grown children who have given us 6 wonderful grandchildren. (My favorite job so far is that of grandma.) I enjoy reading, crocheting, beading and photography. I love to bake and was once told that all the world’s problems could be solved over a cup of tea and a home baked peanut butter cookie. I have perfected the recipe for that cookie.
I joined the alumni board because I was told by my very first mentor that all I had to do to pay her back for all the help she gave me was to pay it forward to another young scared nurse. I believe that the Alumni board is dedicated to connection with both students and new nurses. I find my joy in practice when I am able to give back to this profession through these connections.
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