Marianne Lara, MSN, FNP

Marianne R. Lara graduated her Baccalaureate degree major in Nursing in 2002 from Velez College of Nursing, one of the only three schools recognized as a Center of Excellence for Nursing and Medicine in Cebu Philippines by the Commission on Higher Education.

She then received her training as an Operating Room Nurse at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VCMMC), a Teaching and Training medical facility owned by the Philippine Government. Her O.R. training enables her to participate in one of the World-renowned Rotaplast International "Cheiloplasty Mission" in which she assisted International Surgeons and Medical Team.

She started to work at Perpetual Succor Hospital-Cebu Heart Institute, the first hospital in Cebu with state of the art diagnostic and interventional facilities in Non-invasive Diagnostic procedures and was acknowledged as a leader in Surgical Heart procedures and Vascular Studies. She had the opportunity to be trained in assisting Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery and worked with Cardiovascular Surgeons.

She migrated in the United States in 2006 where she continued her Nursing career after passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
Marianne had tried to experience the different areas in Nursing. Caring from newborn to geriatric as well as School Nursing. This gives her the holistic approach in dealing with patient according to their age level.

Working at Skilled Nursing Facility as Nursing Supervisor, she learned and understands the often-complex mental and physical health needs of older population. She helped them cope and adjust with changes in their physical and mental abilities so they can stay independent and active as long as possible.

Experienced in maternal and newborn Nursing, Marianne applied her knowledge and skills in newborn screening and post partum care and promotes the importance of breastfeeding and couplet care and encouraged maternal bonding in the early stage of life of the newborn.

In 2009, Marianne started to work as a School Nurse at Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), the second largest School District in the nation. As a first responder for health emergencies and injuries, Marianne was able to trained School Personnel on how to properly administer Emergency Medications such as Glucagon, Diastat and Epipen. Marianne also trained School Teachers and other School Employees about Blood Borne Pathogens in accordance with OSHA regulations.

Working in an underserved community, Marianne was able to help out students and their families to get free resources available in the community. She referred out qualified students and families to School Bell Program where they can be provided free school supplies, clothing, and shoes. She facilitated free Vision Program sponsored by Vision to Learn to provide free eye examination and free eye glasses in the School. She also facilitated Dental Services from Big Smile Program, which benefited a lot of students, and families who cannot afford the services. She also assisted families of students with no health coverage to get free or low-cost health insurance through Children's Health Access and Medi-Cal Program (CHAMP).

Guided by the recent Act of 2001, No Child Left Behind (NCLB), Marianne ensure that student receives proper accommodation without discrimination in school despite of their Medical status, Physical Disability, and Mental issues.

In addition to her extensive clinical expertise, she also has an outstanding academic backgrounds that includes her School Nurse Credentials which she took at California State University-Long Beach and a Master of Science in Nursing and Family Nurse Practitioner Program of Charles R. Drew University in Los Angeles, California.

Combination of clinical education and experience, she can provide holistic care that considers not only the physical aspects of a patient's illness, but the emotional and spiritual aspects as well. She believes that healing and wholeness are matters of body, mind, and spirit.