And just like that—an amazing 45-year career Cheri Watson, RN

Leading the pathway of exemplary care, we highlight just one of many of our wonderful nurses at Adventist Health Glendale. Our medical center has deep roots in education, and it is the reason Cheri Watson, Rehabilitation RN, is the longest-working nurse at Adventist Health Glendale. At 45 years in her signature nurse’s hat—named a “Flossie” in tribute to the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale—Cheri bought six hats the last time she renewed her supply, and she is on her last one.

Having grown up Seventh-day Adventist in St. Helena where her father was a cardiologist, Cheri attended nursing school here in Glendale, living in a dorm which is now the Center for Cancer Services. Nursing students would answer a hotline anytime backup help was needed at the hospital. “As an Adventist, I could only see myself working here.” When patients would ask why the hospital did not serve bacon or shrimp, Cheri felt comfortable explaining why. She feels that it is important, at a faith-based hospital, for patients of all faiths to have access to the spiritual care staff to talk with, if needed.

Cheri chose rehabilitation as her specialty, and her empathy for patients needing to re-learn certain tasks or adjusting their lifestyles after a health crisis is evident. She feels the art and basic tenets of nursing are sometimes overlooked in a stressful environment of other departments, but the process of rehabilitation demands thorough and repetitive lessons. Cheri’s patience and appreciation for this pace clearly result in comprehensive healing for her patients.