A Caring Career

Nursing alumna has impacted patients and colleagues alike for four decades at Valley Children’s Healthcare

By Lauren Nickerson (’10)

In the heart of the Central Valley, a partnership between Valley Children’s Healthcare and Fresno State can be highlighted in many ways – including the story of a woman whose journey from a small mountain town to a prominent health care executive exemplifies the power of education, leadership and a shared commitment to serving the community.

Beverly Hayden-Pugh, a proud alumna of Fresno State, embarked on an extraordinary career that took her from Fresno State graduate to senior vice president, chief nursing officer and chief transformation officer at Valley Children’s.

Hayden-Pugh’s journey began in the mountain town of Big Creek, where her father, a physician for Southern California Edison, introduced her to the world of health care. She spent her formative years assisting her father in treating an array of injuries for both locals and tourists, from chainsaw lacerations to broken bones.

While volunteering at the clinic exposed her to all of the possibilities of a career in medicine, her father’s trusted nurse, Esther, was her inspiration. “Esther showed me how, as a professional nurse, that you could positively impact people in ways beyond the immediate clinical visit”

Hayden-Pugh says. In this close-knit community of around 500 residents, she learned the invaluable lesson that helping people could take many forms.

After a few years away at the University of California, Santa Barbara, Hayden-Pugh came home to Fresno State, initially pursuing a bachelor’s degree in health sciences and eventually completing the nursing program in 1983. Her path led her to a career that has spanned four decades, left an indelible mark on countless lives and has been closely intertwined with her alma mater.

She joined Valley Children’s Healthcare in August 1983 as a registered nurse in pediatric oncology. It was there she found her calling. Working with a dedicated team and caring for a special patient population, she fell in love with the mission of Valley Children’s.

Beverly Hayden-Pugh

Hayden-Pugh’s impact over her 20-plus years as chief nursing officer and 40-plus year career at Valley Children’s is nothing short of remarkable. Under her leadership, the organization achieved the prestigious Magnet Nursing Designation, an accolade earned by less than 5% of hospitals nationwide. One of the most significant touchpoints of Hayden- Pugh’s career has been her close collaboration with Fresno State.

She served as a preceptor for Fresno State students early in her career, participated in the Children’s Institute and contributed to the development of health care policy, and championed clinical education. Under her guidance, Valley Children’s has become a vital training ground for Fresno State students in nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, child life and even business and technology internships.

“Nursing is a wonderful pursuit. I have had the opportunity to serve in a variety of roles ranging from being a bedside caregiver for pediatric oncology patients to director of outpatient surgical clinics to being a health care executive,” she says.

“I see future nurses as having the same opportunities to create the paths that they choose. Such is the gift of professional nursing. People say that the COVID-19 pandemic changed health care forever, and I would agree – COVID helped us realize our opportunities.”

One such opportunity has come through the partnership that has blossomed between Valley Children’s and Fresno State – two pillars of the region that are invested in the success of Valley youth. The two organizations launched a joint initiative, “Healthy Kids. Healthy Futures.,” in May.

“Beverly’s journey from a Fresno State graduate to a distinguished health care leader inspires us all. Her unwavering commitment to nurturing the next generation of health care professionals exemplifies the values we hold dear at Fresno State,” says Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez- Sandoval. “Her story is a testament to the high quality leadership that our alumni manifest –they live and breathe the transformative power of their Fresno State education that elevates the quality of life in our Valley.”

TV commercial

In the university’s national TV commercial that debuted this fall, that partnership was on full display. The commercial highlights alumni who are leaders in their fields, including Fresno State alumnus and NFL quarterback Derek Carr, and Sarah Holland, another registered nurse at Valley Children’s who is shown in the ad wearing a Fresno State-branded surgical cap while caring for her patient. Formalizing the partnership and highlighting the many touch points between Fresno State and Valley Children’s Healthcare, makes Hayden-Pugh immensely proud. “Both organizations are inspirational in their own right, but our leaders are equally inspiring as well,” she says.

“There are few individuals who more perfectly reflect the very best of health care and of nursing – hope, dedication, compassion and giving more to others than you ever receive,” says Dr. Todd Suntrapak, Valley Children’s president and CEO, a Fresno State alumnus. “Beverly’s journey is a testament to the limitless possibilities that education and opportunity can offer – and to the shared values and commitment of the Valley Children’s and Fresno State partnership to improve our community’s well-being.”

As Hayden-Pugh continues her journey, mentoring future leaders, advocating for quality health care, she remains a shining example of how collaboration between visionary leaders and institutions can make a profound difference in the lives of children and communities.

“You cannot walk through the hospital without seeing a child and remember why you are here,” Hayden- Pugh says. “It takes everyone working together to make an impact on the health of a child and our community.”

– Lauren Nickerson is the associate vice president for University Marketing and Communications at Fresno State

Top Photo: Inspired by a nurse at her father’s clinic, Fresno State alumna Beverly Hayden-Pugh worked her way up to senior vice president at Valley Children’s Healthcare.