Head of nursing for Cottage dies in highway incident
March 11, 2006
Alicia Kelley, a long-time and well-loved nurse who had served as Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Office for Cottage Health System since 2001, was killed on Friday evening [March 10] in a single-car incident on Highway 101 in Goleta. Ms Kelley had been returning from a hospital-sponsored event for members of the medical staff. No other vehicles were involved and there were no passengers in Ms Kelley's car.
With Cottage since 1992 when she first joined as Administrative Nursing Supervisor, Kelley had previously served as Interim Vice President for Nursing Services, and before that as Vice President for Quality Support Services. Responsible for directing all nursing services for the System's three hospitals in Santa Barbara, Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley, Ms Kelley's reputation was one of a constant and ardent advocate for nursing, and she will be sorely missed by the hundreds of staff members and physicians who knew her. President and CEO Ron Werft, in an e-mail announcement to staff today, added, "This tragedy is very painful for so many of us who love Alicia, and again, I am so sorry to share this news."
Prior to joining Cottage, Kelley was Assistant Administrator for Patient Services at Sansum Medical Clinic. Her previous hospital experience has included directing obstetrical nursing in both Ukiah, California and Tacoma, Washington.
A registered nurse with a certification in professional health care quality, Kelley received her BS in Nursing from Cal State University, Los Angeles, her MS in Nursing from UCLA, and her MBA from California Lutheran University.
March 14, 2006
KELLEY-LEGER, Alicia
One of the biggest hearts in local health care and the greatest advocate anywhere for the nursing profession died on Friday, March 10, in a single-car incident in Goleta. Alicia, a passionate and outspoken advocate for quality patient care and the important role of nursing, dedicated her life in service to others. She was beloved by all with whom she worked, most particularly by the staff, physicians and volunteers of the Cottage Health System, where she served as Vice President for Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer.
Her sudden death at age 56 has shaken the entire healthcare community who remember her energy, her warmth and her humor and are left wondering how they will survive without her in their midst.
Born January 14, 1950, in Berkeley, California, to the late Dr Douglas McGlashan Kelley, a leading psychiatrist at UC Berkeley, and Alice-Vivienne (Hill) Kelley of Santa Barbara, Alicia grew up in Kensington in the Berkeley hills. She moved to Tennessee with her family for a year, before coming to Santa Barbara in 1968. It was while she was working as a candystriper at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital that she fell in love with nursing. She went on to dedicate the rest of her life to the profession, touching all with whom she came in contact with her compassion and sincerity.
Alicia always found time to listen, to empathize, to laugh and to enjoy life. She made extraordinary efforts to support the nursing and other hospital staff at Cottage. For her, Christmas Day and holidays meant coming in with treats for those on duty, making the rounds throughout the hospital to dispense her special hugs and warmth, often stopping to comfort a patient's family member. In her own special way, she touched everyone and they were better for it.
The other great love in Alicia's life was her husband, Tyrelle Leger. It had been love at first sight ever since that evening in 1989 at The Palms in Carpinteria. Alicia and a group of friends were at one table. Tyrelle and his friends were at another. Their eyes met and history was written.
In addition to her husband, Alicia is survived by her mother, her two brothers, Douglas Kelley, Jr, and Allen Hill Kelley, and a nephew, Douglas Kelley, III. The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her name to the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Foundation, where they will be used to establish the Alicia C. Kelley, RN, Memorial Fund for the Advancement of Nursing Education and to help build the new Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. Both are causes and projects about which she was passionate and on which she will surely smile with fondness.
Her co-workers recognize the legacy Alicia leaves--one of caring, compassion and energy. It will sustain us all through our personal grief. That legacy cannot be shaken by her absence, only made stronger by the determination to honor her and everything for which she stood.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 17, at 2 pm at the First Presbyterian Church at State and Constance.
