Ruth Palmeri, RN, is a dedicated pediatric critical care nurse at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, specializing in the care of the most critically ill pediatric patients. Nursing is Ruth’s second career—her path began with a biology degree from Scripps College, followed by a master’s in marine biology from Ryukyu University in Japan. Initially aspiring to a career in marine research, she explored various roles, including working as a fishery observer on crab boats in Alaska and as an aquarist at a San Francisco aquarium.

She later pursued a nursing degree at the College of San Mateo and began her career in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) through UCSF’s new graduate program. Since then, she has remained a committed bedside nurse, advancing to the charge nurse role and mentoring new graduate nurses and staff.

At CGN, Ruth is collaborating with a team of nurse leaders at Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to develop and implement the country’s first perioperative nurse training program. This initiative aims to expand access to surgical training for nurses in sub-Saharan Africa and elevate the practice of perioperative nursing.