Kira Skidmore Breast Care Center

The Kira Skidmore breast care center opened at Kaiser Santa Rosa's Medical Center in February 1994. The purpose of our center is to provide the highest quality, comprehensive breast care services for our patients. Timely access to appointments, advanced technology and procedures, group and individual educational counseling and patient advocacy activities are just a few of the accomplishments the center has achieved over the years.

The purpose of our center is to provide the highest quality, comprehensive breast care services for our patients.

The center was named for a health education department volunteer, who in 1993, was instrumental in promoting changes in breast cancer services for women. In 1994 services were expanded to include evaluation and diagnosis of breast problems. Currently the breast care center is staffed by Rose Ambrosino-Cook, RN, MS, CNS, CFNP, AOCN, and Paula Kelleher RN, MSN, NP. Dr Roger Kirchner is chief of the Surgery department and oversees the breast care center. Paula is a breast cancer survivor of over ten years.

Rose Cook and Paula Kelleher, Breast Care Center

Rose Ambrosino-Cook, RN, MS, CNS, CFNP, AOCN, is the center's new breast care coordinator and works specifically with newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Rose helps patients gather information and connect to resources and support from diagnosis through treatment to follow-up. The education programs, support groups and outreach projects are also part of Rose's role and she co-chairs the Medical Center's Multidisciplinary breast care committee, which works to improve breast care facility work.

The breast care center also provides evaluation for women with breast concerns. Paula Kelleher, RN, MPH, NP, working closely with the surgery, medical imaging and pathology departments offers a complete breast evaluation, including diagnosis with needle biopsy. Breast self-exam instruction, annual clinical breast exam and risk assessment are also offered in the breast care center. Paula has been involved in women's health issues for many years and has been with the breast care center since its beginning in 1994.

Since inception, the Kira Skidmore breast care center has provided high quality breast care services, from initial evaluation, through diagnosis then treatment, all in a coordinated, compassionate manner. Future plans include an expansion to a larger site with room for more educational and outreach programs.

Breast Cancer Resources

Breast Care Specialist Nurse Practitioner

Paula Kelleher RN, NP, MSN, is the breast care specialist nurse practitioner and works closely with the surgery, medical imaging and pathology departments, offering a complete breast evaluation which may include the following:

• Clinical breast exam and evaluation of breast problems such as fibrocystic breast changes
• Access to diagnostic mammography and ultrasound evaluations
• Procedures including cyst aspiration and core needle biopsy
• Breast self examination instruction and breast health education
• Breast care followup
• Risk assessment: such as genetic counseling

Breast Care Coordinator

Rose Ambrosino-Cook, RN, MS, CNS, CFNP, AOCN is the breast care coordinator and works specifically with newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Rose helps patients gather information and connect to resources and support from diagnosis through treatment to follow-up.

• Breast Cancer Surgery Overview
• Support During Treatment
• Education After Treatment
• Second Opinion Referrals