We honor the life, service, and legacy of Sharon “Shay” Hargrove, RN,— a nurse, a leader, a mentor, and a servant of compassion. For nearly twenty‑eight years, Shay dedicated her life to the art and calling of nursing. She stood with patients and families during their most sacred moments, and she gave her heart fully to her colleagues, her community, and the profession she loved.
Shay built an extraordinary nursing career grounded in compassion, determination, and lifelong service. After spending her childhood traveling the world as an Air Force dependent, she graduated from Abilene High School in 1981 and later discovered her calling to nursing while living in Bakersfield, California. She earned her Associate of Science in Nursing from Bakersfield College in 1992, launching a career that would touch countless lives.
Shay began her professional journey in Labor and Delivery at Kern County Hospital, where she developed the foundation of her clinical expertise. In 1994, she expanded her experience by joining Hollywood Presbyterian’s Labor and Delivery team. Despite the demanding commute from Bakersfield to Los Angeles as a single mother, Shay embraced the opportunity for growth and advancement. Her commitment, grit, and love for her son guided every decision.
In 1998, Shay found her true professional home at the newly opened Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center. As part of the inaugural Labor & Delivery team, she played an essential role in building the department from the ground up. Her leadership and exceptional clinical skill led to rapid promotions, first to Supervising Nurse and then to Charge Nurse. Although she eventually stepped down from the Charge position to pursue further education, her impact remained unmistakable.
Shay achieved one of her greatest professional milestones when she was accepted into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of Southern California—her dream school. Balancing full-time work and full-time studies, she graduated in May 2004. Her perseverance and faith were central to this achievement.
Throughout her nearly 28-year career with Kaiser Permanente, Shay held numerous roles across Labor & Delivery and OBGYN, including:
•Team Coordinator, Charge Nurse, Procedure Nurse, Staff RN, Team Lead, and Assistant Department Administrator
She was deeply involved in professional governance and advocacy, serving on several committees and holding leadership roles within UNAC, eventually becoming President of the union at Baldwin Park. Known for her energy, connection to others, and ability to make things happen, Shay was widely recognized as a resource, a mentor, and the person who could get anything done.. Her excellence was honored with multiple awards, including:
•Daisy Award (2021), Kaiser Permanente SCAL Regional Spotlight (2021), and KMCLT Recognition Award (2019)
Beyond her clinical work, Shay gave back to her community through years of volunteer service with the Special Olympics medical staff. A proud USC Trojan, she was a dedicated contributor to the USC Trojan Athletic Fund and a loyal football season ticket holder for fifteen years. Shay’s nursing career was defined by service, leadership, resilience, and profound compassion. She built departments, shaped teams, mentored colleagues, and cared for families at the most important moments of their lives. Her legacy lives on not only through the patients she helped bring safely into the world, but through every nurse and colleague she inspired along the way. The Nurse Honor Guard stands here today to recognize her commitment and to celebrate the noble legacy she leaves behind.`
Sharon worked at Kaiser Permanente for over 28 years! View services live http://Stsbc.org, click on live.