Brenda Starks

Ms. Starks has served in the Health and Human Services Industry for 50 years as a nurse and educator. She
received a Bachelor of Science in nursing and Public Health Certificate from UCLA in 1972.She later earned a Master
of Science in Nursing-Clinical Specialization Community Health option, with an emphasis in Education from California
State University, Fresno in 1994. Her Nursing career started as a charge nurse in 1974 on a 42 bed unit at Cedars
Sinai Hospital, Los Angeles. Her involvement and love for educating students began in 1976 where she worked as
Nursing Education Instructor at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. She worked as Continuing Education Coordinator at
Boston Health and Hospitals, Boston Massachusetts prior to returning to California to obtain her Master’s Degree.
Brenda worked as Director of Nursing at Sequoia Community Health Center and was able to obtained state licensure
for several clinics during her 10 years there. Brenda developed and taught the first Pharmacology Tech Program at
Fresno City College. September 2001, She joined Fresno Unified School District where she worked as Director of
Nursing for almost 20 years. A major accomplishments for her was in obtaining the first-time accreditation from the
State of California, Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians
Currently, she is a Substitute Teacher at Fresno Adult School’s Licensed Vocational Nursing Program. A Board
Member of California Vocational Nurse Educators, where she assists in coordinating bi-annual educational programs
for nurses throughout California. She is a long standing member of the Central Valley Black Nurses Association and
National Black Nurses Association. Her interests have always been in teaching, community health, health promotion,
and illness prevention to all persons; specifically those in underserved communities. She believes that all people are
entitled to an optimal level of health. She continues to be involved in various leadership and community activities