The Next shift speakers

Keynote Speaker-Joe Avelino is currently the Chief Executive Officer at College Medical Center located at Long Beach, CA. He serves as a former Chair Elect of the Executive Board for the Hospital Association of Southern California; Executive Vice-President for the United Hospital Association; former Board of Director for the American College of Healthcare Executive (ACHE) of Southern CA, and former Board of Director of the Southern California Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA).

Joe began his career in healthcare as an ER and Neurosurgery Critical Care Nurse. Joe has also served over 25 plus years with the U.S. Army, where he was a Lieutenant Colonel, coordinating the medical care of the injured soldiers returning home from the Middle East. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, and the California Commendation Medal.

Joe has also been appointed to the Board of Examiners for the Governor’s Quality Award, published in Who’s Who Among American Nurses, and received his Certification for Professional Healthcare Quality. He received his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from American University, and his Master’s in Health Services Administration from George Washington University. 

Guest Speaker-Angel Coaston began service as the founding dean of Pepperdine’s School of Nursing in the College of Health Science on July 1, 2024. Coaston has more than 10 years of experience as a full-time faculty member with administrative responsibilities in university settings, bringing innovations to nursing schools in the areas of population health and school-based, community-based, and faith-based nursing. 

She came to Pepperdine from California Baptist University, where she served as associate dean of clinical academic practice partnerships and associate professor of nursing. 

Previously at Azusa Pacific University, Coaston served as the director of the master of science in nursing program and as the site director of the School of Nursing Inland Empire regional campus. At Loma Linda University Medical Center, Coaston was the executive director of case management and transitional care management and the manager of community health development, where she planned, developed, and implemented innovations to bridge the gap in the care continuum across the healthcare system. 

You represent The Leadership Architect—a nurse leader, mentor, and advocate dedicated to developing people and strengthening the future of nursing. Your commitment to cultivating the next generation of nursing leaders embodies the very spirit of #TheNextShift. 

You represent The Mental Health Innovator—using your expertise in psychic nursing, innovation, education, and advocacy to challenge traditional approaches and improve the way we care for those experiencing mental-health challenges. Your commitment to creating meaningful change embodies the spirit of #TheNextShift. 

You represent The Red Carpet Advocate—a nurse who has expanded her impact through media, entertainment, storytelling, and passionate advocacy for autism and the families you serve. Your ability to use your voice and platform to elevate important conversations embodies the spirit of #TheNextShift.