Darlene Peck, RNP

Bio

My motivation for nursing and the specialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology is grounded in the Women's Health Movement of the 1970's and the concept of patient as partner in health care management. After several years as a hospital nurse, I completed the Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Program at UCSF and graduated with a Masters in Nursing. I have worked as a women's health care provider in community clinics, Planned Parenthood and private practices, in addition to my now twenty years with Kaiser Permanente.

I am a member of the Santa Rosa Ob Gyn Department team, a team comprised of thirteen physicians, seven nurse practitioners, several nurse midwives, nurses, social worker, medical assistants and support staff dedicated to providing the best in women's health care. I am qualified to provide routine well woman and prenatal care and manage common problems in the specialty of women's health. My goal is that each visit be an educative and supportive interaction promoting optimum health. I have a special interest in the menopause transition and am the designated Menopause Champion for Santa Rosa's Ob-Gyn Department. In 2005 I have shared the position of Women's Health Liaison with a fellow nurse practitioner. We work with several others to develop new programs addressing women's health issues and refining the delivery of our services.

My Medical Specialty

More details about my specialty:

Women's early interaction with the health care system is often focused on reproductive health screening, sexuality, contraception and prenatal care. I seek to make the interaction one of learning and provide a gentle and respectful exam.

My specialty interests and affiliations within my field:

I have studied the menopause and the ever-evolving best medical opinion on this life transition. With several other physicians and health educators I worked to develop menopausal guidelines of care. This involved a review of the most current research and writing a document summarizing optimum menopausal care.

I teach a monthly Menopause Class. Usually twelve or more women join the session to share their experience and learn about self-care measures.

Current projects or research:

As Santa Rosa's Women's Health Liason, I am involved in projects to improve health care delivery. Current focus includes improving recognition and services in postpartum depression, female urinary incontinence, and domestic violence. It is also a goal to improve the awareness of Kaiser Permanente staff and members to the health care resources that exist through Kaiser Permanente.

Great health resources that I refer to:

Kaiser's Health Education resources are excellent and ever expanding.
I recommend often the North American Menopause Society, Breast Cancer Action and the American Social Health Association websites.

Interests

Hobby Photos & Links:

Me with sunflowers

Walking in the garden.

Jay and sunflower

Family & Friends

People in my life:

I come from a large family and enjoy maintaining contact through phone, letter and family gatherings. I delight in being a grandmother times six and aunt to several young men and a special niece.

Travel

An adventure I've had:

Most of my traveling experiences have been to conferences, or for hiking vacations or to visit family and friends. Kaiser Permanente had annual Hawaii OB-Gynecology conferences for several years that gave me the joyful experience of warm ocean water play and snorkeling. Hiking along the Napali coast is a special memory as is hiking in Glacier National Park. Both trips were with a very close friend who has since died of breast cancer. We had also celebrated our college graduations together by taking a float down the Colorado river.