For Dr. Rayne Soriano, Ph.D., RN, NE-BC, Regional Director of Professional Excellence at Kaiser Permanente, the seeds of leadership were planted in Baguio City, Philippines. “My journey in nursing leadership and education began with my roots in Baguio City, where I witnessed firsthand the power of resilience and community,” he explains. Born to educators, Rayne absorbed lessons of perseverance, sacrifice, and empathy from an early age—qualities that now guide his 27-year career at Kaiser Permanente.
At nine, he and his family moved to the United States. Despite the culture shock, Rayne held onto his Filipino heritage, channeling the values he learned in Baguio to navigate a new environment. Those formative experiences became the bedrock of his belief that nursing extends beyond providing clinical care—it is also about uplifting the human spirit and instilling hope in those facing uncertainty.
Today, Rayne spearheads the Caring Science Academy and the KP Scholars Academy across multiple regions. His role entails championing professional development, academic progression, and research—spheres he believes can transform patient outcomes and the nursing profession at large. Through decades of immersion in leadership, emergency nursing, clinical informatics, and operations, Rayne embodies the richness that occurs when practical skills, cultural identity, and higher learning converge.
“My Filipino heritage is at the core of who I am as a leader,” Rayne notes, highlighting how core Filipino values like hospitality, community collaboration, and respect for each individual’s story have shaped his approach in healthcare and education. Growing up in Baguio City, he witnessed how neighbors and families helped one another during challenging times—a spirit known in Filipino culture as bayanihan. This principle, which conveys communal unity, continues to steer his focus on teamwork and empathy.
Rayne harnesses these cultural strengths to lead in high-stress environments, whether mentoring new nurses or implementing system-wide changes at Kaiser Permanente. He believes in creating spaces where every individual feels valued—a notion he attributes to the warmth he felt in his own family and community. “I believe in creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and supported—a reflection of the warmth I experienced in my own family and community,” he says, encapsulating the inclusive ethos that guides his leadership.
Further fueling his dedication is a recognition of the sacrifices made by those who paved the way for his success. Rayne’s parents, both educators, worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for him and his siblings. Their unwavering commitment to diligence and generosity underscores every project they undertake. Whether supporting frontline nurses in times of crisis or guiding future leaders in the classroom, he sees these initiatives as a tribute to his parents’ devotion to education and service.
Rayne’s multifaceted career at Kaiser Permanente underscores a commitment to innovation in patient care and system improvements. “One of my proudest achievements was being part of the leadership team that implemented one of the largest civilian electronic health record systems across 21 hospitals,” he recalls. This ambitious project revolutionized data management and streamlined workflows, enabling clinicians to make more informed decisions in real-time. For Rayne, the success of that undertaking exemplified what can happen when vision, collaboration, and empathy intersect.
He has also collaborated with Emergency Department teams to develop discharge options that address social determinants of health, a factor often overlooked in conventional care models. These efforts have fortified care equity by ensuring vulnerable patients are not left behind post-discharge. Rayne’s passion for bridging care gaps similarly materializes in his role as a Caritas Coach®, emphasizing the importance of caring science—a holistic, relationship-centered philosophy championed by Dr. Jean Watson and others. By weaving caring science into practical operations, Rayne fosters a culture that delivers top-tier clinical outcomes and nurtures emotional well-being.
Working at the intersection of research, practice, and education, Rayne champions a forward-thinking mindset. He attests to the evolving nature of healthcare as an opportunity for nurses and leaders to push boundaries and elevate standards of practice. “With all of the innovations and changes in healthcare, what a wonderful time to study and get involved in research and evidence-based practice!” he exclaims, echoing his belief that dynamic inquiry is vital for sustaining progress in nursing.
In addition to his administrative and clinical roles, Rayne wears another hat: educator. He teaches Nursing Informatics to BSN and MSN students at Chamberlain University and Healthcare Finance, Ethics, and Risk Management to DNP students at the University of San Francisco. Drawing on experiences from roles like clinical informatics and senior leadership, he gives students a glimpse into real-world challenges and solutions within healthcare organizations. “Both of my parents were teachers, and I often reflect on how they cared for their students as individuals,” he explains. This personalized attention serves as a blueprint for his teaching style, which affirms each student’s potential and fosters enduring mentorship relationships.
Rayne’s educational endeavors don’t stop at formal institutions. His day-to-day work at Kaiser Permanente involves nurturing emerging leaders through on-the-job training, preceptor programs, and continuing education modules. In 2023, as Regional Director for Nursing Practice in Hawaii, he co-led Kaiser Permanente’s Maui Fire response and recovery efforts, exemplifying that leadership is not confined to administrative offices but extends to field operations and crisis management. This multi-faceted approach allows him to turn practical experiences—disaster response, for instance—into teachable moments for students and professional teams.
One of Rayne’s most significant hurdles is balancing leadership responsibilities with his passion for teaching. However, he sees these two roles as profoundly interconnected. The same empathy and strategic thinking that drive him to improve patient care also inform his educational approach. Though time management and emotional bandwidth can be challenging, Rayne remains convinced that the synergy between leadership and teaching fortifies him. “By staying true to my values and remembering why I began this journey, I’ve been able to embrace both roles with gratitude and joy!” he reflects.
Rayne cherishes time with his wife and three children outside of his professional pursuits. This family dimension is not separate from his career but rather interwoven into how he understands service and compassion. The resilience and unity central to his upbringing also shape how he navigates fatherhood and supports his children’s aspirations, seeking to replicate the encouragement and sacrifice his parents once provided.
The ongoing interplay of family, community, and professional life exemplifies Rayne’s holistic perspective on healthcare. By maintaining a presence in each sphere, he models the integrated approach he believes is essential for nurses and leaders in complex organizations. Striking this equilibrium is no easy feat, but it is a goal that anchors him and reinforces his commitment to well-being for self and community.
Rayne’s enthusiasm for mentoring Filipino nurses pursuing leadership and academic roles resonates strongly. “To my fellow Filipino nurses, never forget where you came from. Your roots, your heritage, and the lessons of your family are your greatest strengths,” he advises, calling upon them to harness their cultural values for professional advancement. He echoes a motto from caring science champion Jean Watson—one that resonates with the Filipino concept of kapwa or shared humanity—reminding nurses to be a light for others.
True to his Filipino heritage, Rayne underscores the importance of paying forward the support one receives. He believes success isn’t an end goal but a stepping stone toward lifting others, be they patients, colleagues, or students. Cultivating networks, seeking mentors, and embracing lifelong learning are cornerstones of his counsel. He also highlights the need for emotional intelligence, a skill nurses often develop naturally but can refine further to navigate cross-cultural settings and high-pressure environments.
Rayne believes that self-care is crucial to sustaining passion for such demanding work. Leaders who champion mental, physical, and spiritual well—being can better inspire and protect their teams. In this line, he advocates cultivating practices like mindfulness, reflection, and open dialogue about challenges—traditions rooted in caring science and Filipino communal values.
As healthcare evolves, Rayne remains steadfast in his conviction that nurses can revolutionize patient care, system design, and organizational culture. He calls for courage, creativity, and heart from those on the front lines—urging them to see leadership not as status but as a greater capacity to serve. “Leadership is not about titles but about service—lifting others so they can thrive,” he affirms.
In turn, Rayne’s trajectory is an inspiring testament to that philosophy. From his humble beginnings in Baguio City to his extensive impact at Kaiser Permanente, he exemplifies the power of cultural roots, unwavering faith in the community, and a deep commitment to learning. His story is an invitation for fellow Filipino nurses—and indeed all nursing professionals—to harness their heritage, embrace education, and forge meaningful change in the world of health and healing.
