Kimberly Perris, DNP, RN, CNL, PHN, is an Assistant Professor and Director of Cal Poly Humboldt’s RN-BSN Nursing Program. She has been a resident and nurse in Humboldt County since 1993. After recognizing the need to advance her education if she wanted to make a greater impact on healthcare, Dr. Perris pursued and achieved both her master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of San Francisco (2013-2018). This experience reinvigorated her outlook on the profession of nursing and provided her with a new lens on improving healthcare. Her passion and research focus is in interdisciplinary (team-based) care, expanding the RN role in community health settings, and quality improvement methods to promote change and innovation in healthcare. Dr. Perris is committed to empowering the RN to be solution-oriented leaders, from the bedside to the boardroom. An advocate for wellness and self-care, walking is her favorite mode of transportation, exploration, and meditation. She lives with her husband of 23 years on the beautiful Northcoast in Eureka.