Meet our Kaizen Promotion Office (KPO)Team!
The Harbor-UCLA Kaizen Promotion Office is small but mighty. We pride ourselves with leading, teaching, modeling the principles of Lean in every aspect of our work and continuously look for ways to improve.
Denise Ranada, MSN, RN
Chief Kaizen (Improvement) Officer & Director, Kaizen Promotion Office
Denise is a dedicated registered nurse with a diverse clinical background, having spent about five years as a bedside RN in the trauma-medical-surgical step-down unit and in the trauma and cardiothoracic intensive care units. She began her Lean journey in the Kaizen Promotion Office in 2015 and took on the role of Chief Kaizen (Improvement) Promotion Officer at Harbor-UCLA in March 2022. She earned her Toyota Production System (TPS) Train-the-Trainer Certification from the Toyota Motor North America, Inc. Headquarters in Torrance, CA (2017), and continues to receive mentorship from the executive leadership at Toyota’s nonprofit arm, TPS Support Center.
Before starting in the nursing field, Denise earned an Associate of Arts in Merchandise Marketing from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandise (FIDM) in Los Angeles. This education provided her with a solid foundation in merchandise marketing and product development. She started in retail and franchise management, advancing to leadership roles that enhanced her product development and interpersonal skills, making her well-equipped to implement Lean practices in healthcare. Her diverse background uniquely positions her to implement Lean practices in healthcare, integrating her marketing and product development expertise with her clinical nursing experience and commitment to nurturing future Lean leaders.
Denise is known as an excellent educator and mentor, working enthusiastically with everyone and anyone—from new employees and students to managers and leaders—to inspire different generation of leaders to “catch the vision.” Her drive, enthusiasm, and devotion to her work continue to motivate and inspire the many individuals and teams she collaborates with. Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of continuous improvement and lifelong learning.
In her free time, Denise enjoys exploring nature, visiting Disneyland with loved ones, and engaging in activities that allow her to savor moments with her family, friends, and her beloved dog, a Rhodesian Ridgeback named Harbor.
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Annette Berbano, MSN, RN, CCRN
Associate Director, Kaizen Promotion Office
Annette proudly graduated from the Los Angeles County College of Nursing and Allied Health in 2006. With over a decade of service at LA County, she honed her critical care skills in the demanding environments of the 4 West Cardiology ICU and the 3 West Trauma-Surgical ICU. In 2016, she transitioned to the Kaizen Promotion Office, where her genba experience significantly contributed to further developing Harbor’s Lean program.
Annette holds the CCRN® certification from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, reflecting her commitment to excellence and continuous education. She also completed the Toyota Production System (TPS) Train-the-Trainer Certification in September 2017 at Toyota Motor North America, Inc. Headquarters in Torrance, CA, where she received direct mentorship from senior Kaizen mentors from Toyota’s non-profit arm, TSSC (TPS Support Center).
Having grown up at Harbor-UCLA—as a student, a student nurse worker, an RN with an Interim Permit, and an alumna of Harbor’s first New Graduate RN Program—Annette has developed a well-rounded perspective on patient care and process improvement. Her patients, dedicated mentors, and passionate colleagues have continuously inspired her to strive for efficient, high-quality care.
Outside of the professional realm, Annette enjoys cafe-hopping, and spending time with her family, including their new fluffy and affectionate roommate—a three-year-old orange tabby cat named Clem, who was previously a stray
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Rachel Germono, BA, RN
Supervisor, KPO & Lead Lean Facilitator (Clinical)
Rachel is a registered nurse, who graduate from the Los Angeles Harbor College in 2010. Rachel began her nursing career serving the South Bay communities as a home health and a case manager nurse. She then began her nursing tenure with Los Angeles County at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Harbor-UCLA Medical Center on February 2013. As a bedside nurse in NICU, Rachel carried a special place in heart caring for neonate, preemies, and “miracle” micro preemies with the earliest to survive being only twenty-three weeks old and barely over one pound. Along with caring for these delicate lives, Rachel closely interacted with her patients’ parents and families, educating and updating them on the specialized care being provided for the babies.
Rachel completed her bachelor’s degree in mass communication at the Assumption College, Philippines in 1991. She also carries over her ten years of experience in human resources (HR) with various industries such as healthcare, telecommunications, and software. Her vast experience in HR allowed her to assist organizations with their staffing, recruitment, conflict-resolution, relocation, immigration, succession planning, and employee development needs. Rachel also had the opportunity to manage and coordinate a corporate high school paid internship program allowing underprivileged inner-city students in Los Angeles a chance to obtain true-to-life work experience and mentorship.
Rachel enjoys and is passionate about her interactions with people and has greatly valued and embraced opportunities she’s had to serve in the industries she has worked in. She deeply values her faith and spending quality time with family and friends.
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Yuriced Carbajal, BSN, RN
Lean Facilitator (Clinical)
Yuri proudly graduated from Mount St. Mary’s University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing—a testament to her unwavering dedication to serving her community, particularly vulnerable populations that often grapple with challenges such as low socio-economic status, elevated rates of comorbidity, and a rich tapestry of cultural diversity.
Since beginning her professional journey as a registered nurse at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in 2010, Yuri has immersed herself in a variety of clinical environments over the past eight years. She has gained invaluable experience in medical-surgical units, step-down units, trauma-surgical intensive care units, and cardiothoracic intensive care units. Driven by a profound desire to give back to the community that has shaped her, Yuri is eager to cultivate a culture of continuous improvement at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. She finds deep meaning in her work, recognizing that her efforts can truly transform the experiences of both patients and staff.
When she seeks to recharge her social battery, Yuri finds joy in audiobooks, relishing in the stories and insights they offer. She also finds peace in nature, cherishing the moments spent outdoors with her loved ones, creating lasting memories filled with love and laughter. Her dedication to her work and community, alongside her love for family and nature, beautifully illustrates her empathetic spirit.
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Nancy Yuen, BSN, RN
Lean Facilitator (Clinical)
Nancy is Harbor’s newest Kaizen team member and Lean facilitator. Prior to her transfer to the KPO in 2022, Nancy had twelve years of experience as a nurse, starting her career off as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) in 2010. After obtaining her bachelor’s degree in nursing, her journey continued as a medical-surgical RN at Olympia Medical Center. In 2016, Nancy transferred to the 3 West Trauma-Surgical Intensive Care Unit of Harbor-UCLA. She then accepted the opportunity to specialize as a certified PICC line nurse for the Vascular Access Team of Harbor in 2019, serving Inpatient, ED, Outpatient Chemotherapy service, and other areas of the hospital.
Nancy is known for her enthusiasm to cheer on her patients and teammates, as well as for her eagerness to advocate for and see positive changes through. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nancy witnessed firsthand the struggles of the healthcare system while actively working as a redeployed ICU nurse here at Harbor-UCLA. This perspective further clarified for Nancy the value obtained from a strong performance improvement infrastructure, steering her career path to the Kaizen Promotion Office—where her beliefs align with improving healthcare processes one steady step at a time through the application of Lean/Toyota Production System.
On her days off, Nancy enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends, exploring different restaurants because she’s a big foodie, and Netflixing the current top 10 shows or movies
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Jennifer Taylor
Office Manager
Jennifer began her journey at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in 2001 when she took on the role of Nursing Attendant on the 4 East Orthopedic/Medical-Surgical Unit. After five years, she transitioned to become the unit’s secretary. In 2007, she accepted a new challenge in bed control, where her compassion for patients truly shone as she supported the facilitating patient flow and coordinating hospital bed management.
Her remarkable professionalism and strong work ethic did not go unnoticed. In June 2007, she transitioned to the Nursing Quality Improvement Department, and by July 2013, she moved into Nursing Administration, providing support to the Chief Nursing Officer and Clinical Nursing Director. In March 2016, Jennifer was invited to share her expertise with the Kaizen Promotion Office (KPO), where she now serves as the office manager. She has brought her experiences and professional demeanor to the KPO, and her colleagues deeply appreciate her creativity and organizational skills. Her gracious temperament and welcoming smile have a way of brightening the office, fostering a supportive and collaborative environment.
Outside of her professional commitments, Jennifer finds joy in helping to feed those experiencing homelessness. On her days off, she enjoys cooking and loves catching up on the latest Netflix series.
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Susan Black, MSN
Founder of the Kaizen Promotion Office & Former Chief Kaizen (Improvement) Officer
Susan holds a Master of Science in Nursing from California State University, Long Beach; and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas. She has over 30 years of experience in healthcare and has a varied clinical background both as a registered nurse and as an adult nurse practitioner in acute care as well as community settings. Susan has spent the past 20+-years dedicated to improving healthcare quality. She currently serves as the Chief Kaizen Promotion Office for Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and is responsible for implementation of the hospital’s quality improvement program through implementation of the Lean management system. Susan is a passionate educator and has mentored many students in quality management from various programs across the country. She has received a number of awards including the National Management Association Silver Knight Award and Golden Knight Award for Outstanding Leadership.
Susan retired from Harbor-UCLA after 31 years of outstanding public service in 2022.