Meet the team
Compassionate.
Caring.
Committed.
When it comes to skilled nursing care, every party involved matters. That’s why we have carefully cultivated a team of the warmest, most caring, and passionate people around.
Our team brings together a wealth of knowledge and experience in healthcare, staffing, and management to bring you personalized care of the highest quality. Many of our Scheduling Services Team are certified nurses—whether you are a client, agency, or nurse, we understand your needs.
We are committed to your success and are here 24/7 to provide the excellent care that you deserve. Meet the members of our team here.
Executive Leadership
A company’s success and reputation always starts at the top and trickles down. With CEO Melissa Fischer at the helm, NurseRegistry is a female-led, nurse-led company that values kindness, swift action, and ensuring every nurse, client, and facility we work with is treated with the utmost respect and care.
-
+ More Info
Alex Johnson Esq.
Founder and Chairman
-
Alex founded NurseRegistry in 2007. He is a licensed attorney in the state of California, but found that his passion lies in helping businesses and the people running them navigate the waters of the startup world. Alex is engaged in every part of NurseRegistry, from sales and marketing to coffee-runs. Alex is both a native and current resident of Palo Alto. Alex is also a member of the Palo Alto Chapter of Rotary International and the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce, and runs a 501(c)(3) NPO in East Palo Alto dedicated to helping the local Polynesian community.
-
+ More Info
Melissa Fischer LVN
CEO
-
As the CEO of NurseRegistry and a licensed nurse, Melissa is deeply passionate about advocating for the nurse workforce and providing a positive experience to members of the nursing community.
Since 2012, she has led NurseRegistry on its mission to deliver the best experiences for nurses, patients, and healthcare organizations.
-
+ More Info
Josh Pangan
CIO
-
Josh joined NurseRegistry in March 2022 and currently manages all company-wide IT and technology strategies and objectives. For the past 12 years, he has worn multiple hats across various organizations, giving him exposure and insight into Sales, Customer Service & Success, Marketing, and overall Business Operations. He has leveraged a variety of technology tools along with defined business processes for rapid organizational transformation.
Josh has a BS in Business Administration - International Business & Economics from Chapman University. He enjoys spending time with his family, cooking, and going to the beach.
-
+ More Info
Maria Calzadia
CFO
-
Maria brings over 14 years of experience as a member of the leadership team for numerous small to mid-sized companies. Maria has successfully utilized problem-solving, process improvement emphasis, and innovative solutions to elevate and transform multiple small businesses into lucrative enterprises.
Maria has a BS in Business Administration – Finance from San Diego State University. In her spare time, she likes to travel, golf, kick box, expand her plant collection, and go on adventures with her husband and two dogs.
Inbound & Outbound Sales
You can’t love a service you didn’t know existed! Our outbound sales team works tirelessly to ensure clients in need of nurses know NurseRegistry is a resource for their staffing needs.
On the inbound side, our team makes sure the process from submitting a form or dialing the phone is met with kindness and knowledge to take you where you need to go.
-
+ More Info
Naiomi Chorneau
Intake Specialist
-
Over the last 7 years, Naiomi has become well-versed in cultivating strong client relationships in various settings. She excels at providing compassionate support to clients and problem-solving at a moment's notice.
In her spare time, Naiomi loves participating in winter sports, salsa dancing, and exploring the outdoors with her friends and family.
-
+ More Info
Jessica Flores
Account Advisor
-
Jessica is a seasoned account advisor with over ten years of experience in sales. She has a proven track record of building strong relationships and providing top solutions for clients.
She is passionate about connecting case managers, physicians, and healthcare companies with top-tier nursing talent. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her husband and kids.
Scheduling Services Team
NurseRegistry’s Scheduling Services Team makes the process of hiring a private nurse as seamless and streamlined as possible. From the moment you call to when you meet your handpicked nurse, our scheduling services team works diligently to match you with high-end nursing talent and keeps you updated every step of the way.
-
+ More Info
Alyssa Pangan
Service Operations Manager
-
Alyssa has over 7 years of building B2B and client relationships and managing key accounts. Her background includes leading process improvements and problem-solving efforts for client care teams. Her customer care background has allowed her to support business development opportunities and create strong bonds with customers.
She currently leads the scheduling services team in providing premium care and support to NurseRegistry clients.
Alyssa lives in Orange County where she enjoys hiking, walking her beagle, and spending time with her family.
-
+ More Info
Natasha Bannister RN
Care Coordinator
-
Natasha brings 15 years of experience as a registered nurse working in several different arenas. Her experience in patient care includes 8 years as a home care nurse and managing the night shift caregivers at a large residential care facility. Before NurseRegistry, she enjoyed working as a clinical data abstractor reviewing medical records for healthcare research.
In her role as Coordinator at NurseRegistry, Natasha is putting her experience to use in providing great care to clients, as well as supporting fellow nurses. In her free time, Natasha enjoys reading, lifting weights and is an avid football fan.
-
+ More Info
Ashley DeWoody
Care Coordinator
-
Ashley joined the NurseRegistry team in July 2020 assisting with intake support and client services. She now focuses on facilitating the best match between the client and the nurse and ensuring the best experience for all.
Ashley graduated from George Fox University in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in social work. Ashley has used her degree to work with victims of domestic violence, homeless and welfare, and helped start a non-profit. She transitioned to the medical field thereafter, where she worked as a chiropractic assistant, and nursing services coordinator for a reproductive clinic, and spent the last year working for the University of Washington.
In her downtime, she enjoys photography, taking walks around the city, and spending time with her friends.
-
+ More Info
Karlei Newcomb
Care Coordinator
-
Karlei helps match a variety of clients—including private patients and facilities—with nurses. Her background includes 10 years of experience as a legal assistant and 15 years as a business owner. Karlei entered the healthcare arena 4 years ago, where she managed bookkeeping and finances (AR/AP) for a healthcare interpreting agency. In her spare time, Karlei enjoys running and attending spin classes.
-
+ More Info
Alissa LaCuesta LVN
Care Coordinator
-
Alissa Trease has been a nurse since 2016. She has a wonderful husband, Penelope the cocker spaniel, Binx the rescue cat, and Hank the pot belly pig. She loves spending time outdoors in sunny San Diego and spending most of her time with family!
-
+ More Info
Lisa Gonzalez
Care Coordinator
-
Lisa has more than ten years of experience in different areas of the medical field. She stepped foot into her career working as a Scheduler/Office Assistant for a Medical Interpreting Agency. Later, that gave her the skills and knowledge to work as an in-person Medical Interpreter and Translator at Stanford Hospital.
Not only does she have the Patient Care Experience acquired from that experience, but she also has the great customer service and administrative experience obtained from working as a Scheduler and Medical Receptionist for many years.
Lisa is family-oriented, keeping her relationship with her loved ones close. Born and raised in the Bay Area, she is a loyal fan of the Oakland Athletics.
-
+ More Info
Sharman Lorimer
Care Coordinator
-
Sharman lives in Reno, NV and has been happily married for 27 years. She is a mother to 3 girls including a set of twins that became mothers themselves in 2021. Sharman brings her caring nature to her role, where she helps new clients find the best nurses.
-
+ More Info
Silvana Kozak
Care Coordinator
-
Silvana joined the NurseRegistry team in January 2022. She has over 14 years of experience in the healthcare field and has served in diverse roles which include Receptionist, Intake Coordinator, Provider Recruitment, and Client Management. She graduated in 2010 and holds a Masters's degree in Education from CUNY/ Queens College. She enjoys shelling and watching sunsets on the beach with her amazing family.
-
+ More Info
Tianna Martin
Care Coordinator
VIP Services Team
The VIP Services Team works hard to provide the level of care that reputable clients have come to expect with NurseRegistry. By facilitating the best matches for premium nursing care, especially 24 hour care, clients can rest assured they are in good hands.
-
+ More Info
Eric Weston RN
Client Liaison
-
Eric got his RN license in 2008. He has since spent time as a travel nurse and working in a Case Management Department in a hospital. He found that helping clients successfully discharge from the hospital or manage their conditions to minimize the need for (and stress of) a hospital admission was very rewarding. He continues to do this in his current role as Client Liaison at NurseRegistry, where he ensures the best nursing matches for each client.
-
+ More Info
Josephine Oh
VIP Care Coordinator
-
Josephine graduated from UC Davis with a degree in Comparative Literature. She has more than 15 years of sales, marketing, and client relations experience, including working as a client and office manager for a medical interpreting agency.
Josephine has always been passionate about helping people. When she's not working she loves to travel, experience new places, cultures, and food, and enjoys spending time with friends, volunteering, or curling up with a good book.
-
+ More Info
Micah Garibay
VIP Care Coordinator
-
Micah has more than thirteen years of experience in the home care industry, where she spent the majority of her time in Palo Alto, California. She is highly experienced in staffing, hiring, and recruiting. Micah is an expert at caregiver matching, and she always works to facilitate the best interaction between the client and the nurse. Like many of the other team members, Micah loves dogs. And, she is a loyal fan of the San Francisco Giants.
Talent
We know that NurseRegistry is nothing without our top nursing professionals. Our Talent team is dedicated to helping skilled RNs and LVNs understand the benefits of working with NurseRegistry and the work-life balance that is possible through per diem nursing. We truly believe we have the happiest nurses who provide the best care possible to clients.
-
+ More Info
Nick Murphy
Revenue Operations & Talent Manager
-
Nick joined the NurseRegistry team in August 2020, where he quickly became Talent Manager. Since then, Nick has also taken on the role of Revenue Operations Manager.
Nick has over 10 years of client relations experience spanning several industries where he has held leadership roles. He takes pride in helping others find solutions and meet their objectives.
In his spare time, he likes to spend it outdoors on hikes and exploring nearby beaches.
-
+ More Info
Erica Jarvi
Recruiter
-
Erica has worked in client relations for over 15 years in multiple industries. She enjoys bonding with clients and making sure they leave having a good experience. She currently provides support and guidance to nurses joining NurseRegistry. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, going to beaches, boating, and kayaking, and taking care of her 3 dogs, bunny, birds, and fish.
-
+ More Info
Anthony Saviola
Recruiter
-
Anthony joined the NurseRegistry team in July 2022. He assists in the onboarding and support of bringing on new nurses to the company.He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from George Fox University and has worked in the sports medicine field since 2012 as an athletic trainer. He has worked in multiple different settings, such as physical therapy clinics, high schools, and most recently a private University.When he’s not working, Anthony enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter and enjoying the occasional round of golf.
Finance
NurseRegistry’s friendly Finance Department strives to keep the payment and invoice process as seamless and quick as possible for clients, facilities, and nurses. Nurses need to be paid in a timely manner, and the Finance Department always delivers.
-
+ More Info
Paula DeSant
Accounting Supervisor
-
Paula has over 15 years of experience in Billing, Accounting, and Finance. She started in medical billing for a single physician's office and later moved on to physician group practices.
She is happy to be a part of the NurseRegistry team and enjoys hiking and gaming in her free time.
-
+ More Info
Rose Strausser
Accounting Specialist
-
As Accounting Specialist, Rose provides support to NurseRegistry's Finance Director. Rose has a caring nature and always wants what is best for NurseRegistry clients and nurses. She has extensive experience as a daycare provider and behavioral interventionist at a school doing ABA therapy for children with autism, along with a degree in behavioral science. Rose loves spending her free time with her four beautiful kids and husband.
-
+ More Info
Vanessa Cruz
Billing and Collections Sepcialist
-
Vanessa spent the past five years in higher education providing accounting services for the entire campus. She is passionate about providing excellent customer service, problem solving, and relationship building with individuals of all backgrounds. Vanessa completed her BA from San Fransisco State with a communications degree. In her spare time, she enjoys hikes, her peloton, thrifting, and hanging out with her children.
Marketing
Before you decide on a nurse staffing agency like NurseRegistry, you must first know they exist. Our Marketing Team utilizes both organic and paid channels to expand NurseRegistry’s reach, gain visibility, and highlight the benefits our company offers clients, facilities, and nurses looking for per diem opportunities.
-
+ More Info
Katarina Livaskani
Marketing Director
-
Katarina (Kat) Livaskani is the Marketing Director at NurseRegistry, where she leads the company's marketing efforts.
Since joining NurseRegistry in 2016, Kat has helped the company reach thousands of families and facilities in need of skilled nurses. She leads a talented and creative team focused on NurseRegistry's advertising, internet presence, and other consumer-facing marketing. Katarina graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Cognitive Science - Neuroscience from the University of California, San Diego.
Katarina lives in the San Jose Bay Area, where she enjoys hiking and spending time with her dog.
-
+ More Info
Tyler Perry
Content Marketing Associate
-
Tyler joined NurseRegistry in October 2022 and is excited to bring 5+ years of digital marketing and content creation experience to the team.
Tyler earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and his Master’s Degree in Creative Writing from the University of Akron, and also co-hosts a paranormal podcast. He enjoys hiking with his wife and son, stargazing, scary movies playing guitar, and watching Cleveland sports (until the end where they, inevitably, lose).
-
+ More Info
Katy Bostrand
Campaign Marketing Associate
-
Katy joined the NurseRegistry team in December 2022. She graduated from California State University San Marcos with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing. She has four years of marketing and sales experience in the private aviation industry.
Katy lives in San Diego where she enjoys spending time in the sunshine and being with her family and friends.
HR & Admin Staff
The HR Team and Administration Staff work behind the scenes to keep NurseRegistry a well-oiled and highly functioning company. They keep pushing NurseRegistry forward with a variety of tasks, from team recruitment and data administration, to ensuring each employee is HIPAA compliant.
-
+ More Info
Linda Newcomb
HR Director
-
Linda has over 13 years of professional experience in business development. She started her career at a healthcare interpreting agency, where she was involved in scheduling, invoicing, and improving efficiency.
Linda has experience in support for executive leadership, streamlining processes, software research, and event planning. In addition, she has worked with sales teams in creating proposals, managing AR, and establishing client relationships, and also had a hand in recruitment, onboarding, and offboarding.
-
+ More Info
Kassandra Allen
Executive Assistant
-
Kassandra joined the NurseRegistry team in 2022 as an Executive Assistant. She has over 15 years in fast-paced administrative settings and thrives in providing exceptional support and anticipating needs.
In her spare time, Kassandra loves spending time outdoors with her husband and listening to 70s music!
-
+ More Info
Caitlin Weston
Junior Business Analyst
-
Caitlin has over 15 years of administrative experience, many of which have been in the medical field. While direct patient care is unfortunately not in her (self-admittedly squeamish) wheelhouse, by joining NurseRegistry as Junior Business Analyst she has the reassurance of knowing she can still actively assist the amazing nurses and lovely clients in her community.
In her free time, she loves hanging out with friends and family, exploring the area to find her new favorite restaurant, and traveling — especially to Ireland.
-
+ More Info
Karina Contreras
Administrative Assistant
-
Karina joined the NurseRegistry team as an Administrative Assistant in November 2022. She has years of experience in the finance field working as both a Collateral Analyst and Verification Analyst. Prior to working in an office setting, she was an EMT in the Bay Area and enjoyed volunteering at the SRJC Public Safety Training Center.
During her free time, Karina enjoys trying new foods, traveling, and spending time with her tiny chihuahua, Lexie.