Cathy Coleman, DNP, RN, MSN, CNL, CPHQ

Dr. Cathy Coleman’s professional career and her passion for nursing and education includes decades of experience across multiple clinical settings and organizations as a nurse, consultant, and volunteer. Most of her career focused on oncology; she specialized in comprehensive breast center development and quality/performance improvement, spending years as a consultant for clients that include a medical device startup. After ten years with a CMS-funded Quality Improvement Organization in San Francisco, she earned her MSN (2010) and DNP (2013) at the University of San Francisco School of Nursing and Health Professions.

While teaching in the post-licensure RN-MSN program, Cathy enjoys preparing students to be clinical nurse leaders who foster academic and operational excellence through change management and systems approaches with the goal of improving patient and organizational outcomes. Cathy lives in Santa Rosa and enjoys museums, the Golden Gate Bridge, travel, nature hikes, ballet, theater, and beach walks to reflect and recharge. She dotes on her 15 (!) nieces and nephews who reside around Philadelphia in her home state of Pennsylvania.

• Quality improvement
• Team effectiveness
• Leadership
• Comprehensive breast center development

• Elected Member, Board of Commisioners, Commission on Nurse Certification
• Associate Editor, Quality & Safety, Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing

• DNP, Nursing, Healthcare Systems Leadership, University of San Francisco
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), University of San Francisco
• Diploma, Nursing, Thomas Jefferson School of Nursing

• USF SONHP, 70 years anniversary story of impact, 2023

• Finalist, CURE Magazine, Oncology Nurse Extraordinary Healer Recognition, Volume 15, pp. 65-67, 2021

• Outstanding Service, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Clinical Breast Care Project. 2011
• Special Recognition, CA Department of Health Services, Cancer Detection Section. 2002
• Outstanding Leadership, American Cancer Society, CA Division, Conceptualizing and Leading Special Touch Breast Health Program. 1989

• Coleman, C. M. (2023). American Association of Colleges of Nursing: New essentials, quality and safety domain, Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 27(2),199-203.
• Baldwin, C. M., Coleman, C. M. & Saria, M. G. (Eds). (2023). Advanced Oncology Nursing Certification Review and Resource Manual (3rd ed.). Oncology Nursing Society.
• Coleman, C. M. & Chaudhary, V. (2023). Cancer Risk Assessment & Genetics, Prevention, Screening and Early Detection. In Advanced Oncology Nursing Certification Review and Resource Manual (3rd ed., Ch 4). Oncology Nursing Society.
• Ortega, A., Goulding, T. & Coleman, C. M. (2023). Care Coordination, and Interprofessional Collaboration. In Advanced Oncology Nursing Certification Review and Resource Manual (3rd ed., Ch 3). Oncology Nursing Society.
• Coleman, C. & McGinty, M. (2019). Ever-changing guidelines for breast cancer screening: Utilizing mobile mammography outreach in underserved women. In R. Ellison & L. Clack (Eds.), Health policy management: A case approach (chapter 10). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Coleman, C. (2019). Leadership in oncology nursing: Becoming a catalyst for change. In Murphy-Ende, K.M. (Ed.). Current trends in oncology nursing (2nd ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society.
• Coleman, C. (2019). Quality and improvement science. In Murphy-Ende, K.M. (Ed.). Current trends in oncology nursing (2nd ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society.
• Coleman, C. (2018). Simulation to improve knowledge and skills related to meaningful use and new core measure data sets. In Harris, J. L., Roussel, L., A. & Thomas, P. L. Initiating and sustaining the role of the clinical nurse leader. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Coleman, C. (2017). Early detection and screening for breast cancer. Seminars in Oncology Nursing, 33(2), 141-155.

Publications and Presentations

• Coleman, C. (2019). Quality and improvement science. In K. M. Murphy-Ende (Ed.). Current trends in oncology nursing (2nd ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society.
• Coleman, C. (2019). Leadership in oncology nursing: Becoming a catalyst for change. In K.M. Murphy-Ende (Ed.). Current trends in oncology nursing (2nd ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society.
• Coleman, C. & McGinty, M. (2019). Ever-changing guidelines for breast cancer screening: Utilizing mobile mammography outreach in underserved women. In R. Ellison & L. Clack(Eds.), Health policy management: A case approach (chapter 10). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Mott, K. M., Gishizky - Smith, T., & Coleman, C. (2019). A nurse practitioner led cancer risk assessment and genetic evaluation service in a semi-rural community hospital: Program development, outcomes and lessons learned. Manuscript in preparation.
• Coleman, C. (2018). Simulation to improve knowledge and skills related to meaningful use and new core measure data sets. In Harris, J. L., Roussel, L., A. & Thomas, P. L. Initiating and sustaining the role of the clinical nurse leader. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Coleman, C. (2017). Early detection and screening for breast cancer. Seminars in Oncology Nursing, 33(2), 141-155. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.soncn.2017.02.009
• Coleman, C. (2017). Professional Performance Update. In Oncology Nursing Certification Review Course. Pittsburgh, PA. Oncology Nursing Society.
• Coleman, C. (2015). Stimulating a culture of improvement: Introducing an integrated quality tool for organizational self-assessment. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 19(3), 261-264.
• Mott, K. M., and Coleman, C. M. (2015, May 4). Development of a nurse practitioner (NP) led cancer risk assessment (CRA) service in the ambulatory setting. Sonoma County Annual Nursing Research Symposium. (Kaiser, St. Joseph’s Health).
• Coleman, C. M. (2014). Contributing writer, editor for revision of national Oncology Nursing Certification Review Course: Professional Performance. Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society.
• Coleman, C. (2013). Time for change and improvement: Development of a toolkit for team transformation at the San Francisco General Hospital – Avon Comprehensive Breast Center (unpublished doctoral project). University of San Francisco, School of Nursing and Health Professions, San Francisco: CA.
• Coleman, C. (2013). Integrating quality and breast cancer care: role of the clinical nurse leader. Oncology Nursing Forum, 40(4), 311-314.
• Coleman, C. (2013). Clinical nurse leaders integrate quality and breast cancer care.
• Bailey, L., et al. (2011). White Paper. Why are women in California still being diagnosed with late stage breast cancer? American Cancer Society, California Division, Oakland: CA.
• La Fargue, M. M., & Coleman, C. M. (Guest editors). (2010). Exploring the economics of breast care: A quest for quality. The Breast, 19(4), 251-252. doi:10.1016/j.breast.2010.03.020
• La Fargue, M. M., & Coleman, C. M. (Guest editors). (2009). Exploring the economics of breast care: In search of excellence. Seminars in Breast Disease, 11(3), 113-115. doi:10.1053/j.sembd.2009.04.002
• Coleman, C. (2009, June). Improving quality, saving lives. Introducing the California breast health campaign. Poster presentation, University of San Francisco - Clinical Nurse Leader Summer Institute, San Francisco: CA.
• Kaufman, C. S., Shockney, L., Rabinowitz, B., Beard, C., Coleman, C., Landercasper, J. . . .Wiggins, D. (2009). National quality measures for breast centers: A robust quality tool.Annals of Surgical Oncology, 16:24.
• Coleman, C. M. (2008, October). Quality and cross–cultural health care: The San Diego Physician
• Kaufman, C. S., Shockney, L., Rabinowitz, B., Beard, C., Coleman, C., Landercasper, J. . . .Wiggins, D. (2009). National quality measures for breast centers: A robust quality tool.Annals of Surgical Oncology, 16:24.
• Goldright, C., & Coleman, C. (April, 2004). Breast cancer - new directions, new hope;NurseWeek.
• Saslow, D., Hannan, J., Osuch, J., Alciati, M. H., Baines, C., Barton, M., Coates, R. (2004). Clinical breast examination: Practical recommendations for optimizing performance and reporting. CA Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 54, 327-344.
• Coleman C. M. (2004). The breast cancer clinic: Yesterday, today and tomorrow. In P. C. Buchsel, & C. H. Yarbro (Eds.), Oncology Nursing in the Ambulatory Care Setting: Issues and Models of Care (2nd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Barlett Publishers.
• Coleman, C. M. (February, 2003). Mammography and Pain: Old Problem, New Solution. Breast Center Bulletin, National Consortium of Breast Centers, Inc.
• Parikh, J. R., & Coleman, C.M. (2002). Building a better breast program. Decisions in Imaging Economics, 15 (11):60.
• Kurowski and Company. (September, 2000). for AMGEN, Improving Outcomes in Breast Cancer: A Step-by-Step Guide.
• Coleman, C. M. (2000). Building quality into comprehensive breast care: A practical approach. Surgical Oncology Clinics of North America, 9(2): 319-337.
• Cole, C., & Coleman, C. M. (1999). Breast imaging today and tomorrow. Nurse Practitioner Forum, 10(3).
• Coleman, C. M., & Lebovic, G. (1996). Organizing a comprehensive breast center. In: Diseases of the Breast, edited by J.R. Harris, M.Lippman, M. Morrow, and S. Hellman. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott-Raven Publishers,
• Coleman, C. M. (1993). The role of the comprehensive breast center. Nurse Practitioner Forum, 4:110.
• Coleman, C. M. (1992). The breast cancer team: Roles, conflicts, and interfaces, Innovations in Oncology Nursing, 8:1.
• Lee, C. Z., Coleman, C. M., & Link J. (1992). Developing comprehensive breast centers: Part I Introduction and overview. Journal of Oncology Management, 1:1.
• Lee, C. Z., & Coleman, C. M., Link, J. (1992). Developing comprehensive breast centers: Part II Critical success factors. Journal of Oncology Management, 1:6.
• Coleman, C. M. & Crane, R. C. (1990). Knowledge deficit related to prevention and early detection of breast cancer. Guidelines for cancer nursing practice, Oncology Nursing Society, Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders.
• Coleman, C. M., Somkin, C., & Sung, M. (Eds.). (1990). Special Touch Trainer Guide, Second Edition. Oakland, CA: American Cancer Society, CA Division.
• Coleman, C. (1990).Mammography positioning guidebook for fundamentals of mammography - The quest for quality, Long Beach, CA: Memorial Cancer Institute (contributor/editor).
• Cancer Coalition of California. (1990). Screening Mammography in California: Where we are now. Northern California Cancer Center, Belmont, CA.
• Cancer Control Applications Branch, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Cancer Institute, Promoting Mammography Screening: Ideas and Resources for Public Health Departments. National Cancer Institute, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health NIH publication No. 90-497, 1990
• AACN National Clinical Nurse Leader Summit, Podium Presentation. Together We Transform: Achieving the Quadruple Aim Through a Regional Academic-Practice Partnership. 2019
• Oncology Nursing Society National Congress 2019. Oncology Care Transitions: Nurse Leadership and Care Management Outcomes. 2019
• Sigma Theta Tau International. University of San Francisco Beta Gamma Chapter. Keynote address: Find a Hero, Be a Hero. 2018
• Charge Nurse Symposium. Invited keynote speaker. California Pacific Medical Center. Becoming a successful leader at the bedside. 2016

Seminar Presentations (Selected)

• Coleman, C. (2019, April 11).Oncology Care Transitions: Nurse Leadership and Care Management Outcomes. Invited presentation. Oncology Nursing Society, 44th Annual Congress, Anaheim, CA. DOI: https://ons.confex.com/ons/2019/meetingapp.cgi/Person/7939
• Charge Nurse Symposium, Invited lead speaker. California Pacific Medical Center. Becoming a successful leader at the bedside. San Francisco, CA. August 31, 2016
• Mentorship @ California Pacific Medical Center: Helping nurses practice to their full potential. Invited guest speaker. California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, CA. June 30, 2015
• Go Hope Seminar: Breast Cancer Rehabilitation and Survivorship. Sponsored by GoUSF, Wellness Department, USF School of Nursing and Health Professions and St. Mary’s Medical Center. October 27, 2015
• Improving Care at Home: Palliative Care and Hospice: Defining Differences & Finding Resources. Sponsored by USF School of Nursing and Health Professions. October 24, 2015
• Go Hope Seminar: Progress Against Breast Cancer. Sponsored by GoUSF, Wellness Department, SONHP and St. Mary’s Medical Center. October 13, 2015
• Breast Cancer Detection: Optimizing Clinical Breast Examination. San Francisco General Hospital. Sponsored by Avon Breast Center. March 23, 2015

Videography and Television

• Consultant and volunteer collaborator; MammaCare Clinical Breast Examination Simulation and Education Project. MammaCare Foundation, Gainesville, FL. 2013 – present.
• Consultant and Subject Matter Expert. Lange Productions, Award-winning breast health and breast cancer series; public and professional education, Hollywood, CA. 1983-1990
• Consultant, Subject Matter Expert and Guest. The Home Show, ABC Television Network, and HOME & FAMILY (Family Channel) Breast Health & Cancer Series. Award-winning productions featuring Cathy Masamitsu, breast cancer survivor. Woody Fraser Productions, Hollywood, CA. 1989-1997
  • November 6-10, 1989 - The Home Show (ABC Television Network) "Cathy Saved Her Life and You Can Too" 5 day documentary series (Susan G. Komen Foundation Media Award 1990)
  • January 29 - February 2, 1990 - The Home Show (ABC Television Network) "Cathy Saved My Life” 5-day documentary series (follow-up to the 1989 series)