Nurse’s Knowledge Nook
Nurse’s Knowledge Nook: Your Trusted Healthcare Resource
Welcome to the Nurse’s Knowledge Nook, a space where CVH nurses share valuable insights to help you make informed healthcare decisions. Our team of Registered Nurses specializes in Trauma, Stroke, life-threatening heart attacks (STEMI), and Obstetrics (OB) care. With decades of combined experience and ongoing education, we are committed to excellence in patient care and community education.
Meet Our Team
Jesse Sheperd, RN – ER/Trauma Coordinator
Jesse brings 21 years of diverse clinical experience at CVH, including roles in the Emergency Department, Medical floor, Surgery, and Endoscopy. As the ER/Trauma Coordinator, he plays a vital role in ensuring the emergency team remains highly trained, properly equipped, and ready to respond to any trauma situation. Jesse’s leadership was instrumental in earning CVH its Level 4 Trauma Center designation through the State Time Sensitive Emergency (TSE) program, reflecting his commitment to meeting and exceeding statewide standards of care. He is now leading efforts toward securing Pediatric Trauma designation, further strengthening trauma readiness and elevating the level of care available to pediatric patients in the community. Jesse is highly dedicated to the nursing profession, mentoring students and new hires and is an instructor for life saving credentials of BLS, ACLS, and PALS. Jesse is credentialed in BLS, ACLS, PALS, NRP, TNCC, S.T.A.B.L.E., and NIHSS-C.
Kim Stinson, RN – OB Coordinator
Kim brings over 18 years of nursing experience, including 10 years in labor and delivery. She oversees care for mothers and newborns, collaborating closely with providers to ensure safe, compassionate care throughout pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum. In her role as OB Coordinator, Kim helps develop and maintain evidence‑based protocols, supports staff education, and ensures the OB team is prepared for both routine and complex deliveries. She plays a key role in monitoring quality metrics, supporting safety initiatives, and coordinating multidisciplinary communication to enhance patient outcomes. Kim also serves as a resource for both clinical staff and families, helping guide patients through their birth experience with education, reassurance, and individualized support. In addition, Kim supports communication between the clinic and hospital, ensuring patient needs are met every step of the way. She is currently working toward certification in Car Seat installation to better support new families and is collaborating with Obstetric providers to expand prenatal education offerings within the community. Her dedication strengthens continuity of care and improves the overall experience for expecting parents. Kim is credentialed in BLS, ACLS, PALS, NRP, and S.T.A.B.L.E.
Dawn Mason-Dunkle, RN – Stroke & STEMI Coordinator
Dawn joined CVH 4.5 years ago, bringing with her more than 30 years of experience in Neuro, ER, Trauma, and Flight Nursing. She has been a key contributor to our Stroke/STEMI workgroup—partnering closely with physicians, the Director of Quality, and the Director of Nursing to develop standards that surpass both state and national requirements. Through this collaborative effort, CVH earned designation as a Level 2 STEMI Hospital and a Level 3 Stroke Hospital under Idaho’s Time Sensitive Emergency Program (TSE). Dawn continues to advance our excellence in care by diligently reviewing charts, refining protocols, and supporting ongoing quality improvement. Dawn is credentialed in BLS, ACLS, PALS, NRP, TNCC, and NIHSS-C.
Cata Granger RN, BSN, CEN – Director of Nursing Services
Cata is an accomplished Registered Nurse with more than 27 years of experience across Emergency and Intensive Care settings. Cata brings a strong foundation in caring with compassion. She is a collaborative clinical leader with a proven ability to mentor staff, implement quality‑driven initiatives, and enhance patient outcomes in high‑pressure situations. She is dedicated to maintaining excellence through ongoing education and professional development. Cata is passionate about improving care quality, supporting staff through education, and ensuring compassionate, evidence‑based care for patients and families within the community. Cata is a Certified Emergency Nurse and is credentialed in BLS, TNCC, and NIHSS-C.
Alyssa Adams, RN, MSN – Director of Quality
Alyssa is a lifelong resident of Clearwater County and has worked for Clearwater Valley Health and St. Mary’s Health for 10 years. She serves as the Director of Quality for St. Mary’s and Clearwater Valley. As a key member of the Trauma, Stroke and STEMI team, she is dedicated to strengthening systems of care, improving patient outcomes, and supporting staff as they deliver exceptional, lifesaving treatment close to home. Alyssa plays an essential role in maintaining safe, high‑quality patient care through her involvement in numerous Process Improvement Committees. In collaboration with physicians and nursing teams, she helps develop and refine processes and policies that ensure safe, consistent, and effective care. Her leadership and expertise drive meaningful improvements in both patient outcomes and the overall care experience within our community. Alyssa is credentialed in BLS and ACLS.
Why This Matters
These designations mean CVH meets or exceeds national and state standards for emergency and specialty care. When seconds count, your health is in expert hands.
We’re Here for You
Have questions or topics you’d like us to cover? We’d love to hear from you!
You can reach us at NurseKnowledge@kh.org with any questions or suggestions.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency—or think you may be—please call 911 immediately.
Thank you for trusting CVH. We look forward to continuing to serve you and support our community!
Credentials at a Glance:
- TNCC – Trauma Nurse Core Curriculum
- CEN – Certified Emergency Nurse, National Certification
- ACLS – Advanced Cardiac Life Support
- PALS – Pediatric Advanced Life Support
- NRP – Neonatal Resuscitation Program
- BLS – Basic Life Support
- NIHSS-C – National Institute of Health Stroke Scale – Certified
- T.A.B.L.E. – Stands for the six assessment and care modules in the program. The S.T.A.B.L.E. Program is an investment in safety, quality and preparedness for newborns.
Now that we’ve introduced ourselves, let’s move on to our first topic: Stroke, by Dawn Mason-Dunkle, RN.
A stroke is a medical emergency. Seek immediate medical attention if you—or someone near you—experiences any signs of stroke. Like heart attacks, strokes are time‑sensitive. The sooner you get to a hospital for evaluation, the faster we can begin treatment. Time = Brain & Function. Every minute without adequate blood flow increases the risk of severe and lasting symptoms and permanent disability.
Please DON’T stroke and drive.
You cannot safely run stop signs, red lights, or speed to the hospital. Paramedics can take you or your loved one directly to the CT scanner, saving precious minutes. Remember: Time = Brain & Function.
Show love for your friends and family. If you notice even one stroke symptom, call 9-1-1 immediately to get them to the nearest hospital.
