At Kaiser Permanente, employees are encouraged to think globally and make a difference through volunteer projects in the United States and around the world.
One of those employees who took this encouragement to heart is Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Quality Nurse Consultant Katie Rolan, DNP, who travels twice a year to a rural area in Kenya to help improve health care there.
Rolan distributes scrubs and medical supplies to health care professionals. Many health care providers in Kenya wear regular clothes, so having an opportunity to wear scrubs is special.
“Scrubs are expensive, so it’s great that we are able to bring about 100 pairs each trip to our health care friends in Kenya,” Rolan said. “They are always excited to receive our donations.”
It takes a village.
“When I asked our leaders to help to make this happen, they rose to the occasion,” Rolan said. “The support I received from my colleagues was overwhelming — they donated stacks and stacks of scrubs, as well as much-needed medical supplies. Most of our items have been donated by our Kaiser Permanente employees.”
Helping Kenya in a variety of ways
Rolan delivered supplies and scrubs when she was going to Kenya as part of her volunteer work with Goal4.org. Since 2020, she has volunteered with Goal4.org, which focuses on mother education and providing safe birthing places with a skilled attendant.
Through Goal4.org, Rolan has helped to develop Respectful Maternity Care and Know Your Birth training programs for health care professionals, community health promoters, pregnant mothers, and their birth companions. They have been implemented in collaboration with University of the Pacific, which sends nursing students to Kenya twice a year with Rolan.
“Volunteers provide supplies and expertise to a rural maternity unit, so health workers can offer a safe place for women to give birth,” Rolan explained. “A few years ago, 13 mothers gave birth at our rural facility in Kenya. Last year, that number exceeded 400 babies.”
‘Volunteering has always grounded me’
Rolan began volunteering at just 12-years-old, joining international missions that shaped her passion for serving others. At 17, she embarked on her first medical trip to Romania — an experience that inspired her to pursue a nursing career.
“Volunteering has always grounded me,” Rolan said. “It reminds me of the power of compassion and the responsibility to use my skills to make a meaningful difference.”
Rolan values the connections she builds with communities and believes that service is one of the most authentic ways to understand others. Today, her commitment to global health and health equity continues to shine through every part of her nursing career.
“Volunteers like Katie are the hearts of our communities,” said Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Chief Nursing Executive Stacy Alves, RN. “We are very proud of Katie and the work she is doing in Kenya. Kaiser Permanente employees who volunteer are dedicated to service locally and globally. Volunteering is good for the health of our communities and the health of our volunteers.”
