Irvine Nurse Honored with Scholarship to Advance Oncology Care
Kissilyn Auman, RN, BSN, PHN, proudly celebrated her graduation from Cal State Fullerton in May 2025. With the support of Saddleback Medical Center Foundation scholarships, Kissilyn earned her BSN Summa Cum Laude—a milestone on her journey to becoming an oncology nurse and mentor to future generations.
Photo credit Kissilyn Auman
When Irvine nurse Kissilyn Auman learned she had been awarded not one, but two scholarships from Saddleback Medical Center Foundation, she says she felt “an overwhelming sense of gratitude and relief.” For the oncology nurse, the support not only helped her earn her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Cal State Fullerton—graduating Summa Cum Laude this past May—it also reminded her that the community is invested in her success.
“It reminded me that I am not alone on this path,” Auman said via email, “and that there are people and institutions, like Saddleback Medical Center, that genuinely believe in nurturing the next generation of compassionate nurses.”
Auman is one of 19 Saddleback employees to share $71,000 in scholarships this year, part of a program that has awarded more than $1.4 million since its inception. Funded by donors and designed to nurture the next generation of health care providers, the scholarships allow team members like Auman to advance their education while continuing to deliver compassionate care.
“These scholarships have been instrumental in helping me pursue my BSN,” she said. “Beyond the financial help, they gave me a renewed determination to reach my goals and reminded me that my hard work has the encouragement of a larger community behind it.”
Auman, who moved to Irvine from the Philippines in 2016, says her inspiration to become a nurse stems from a lifelong desire to care for others during their most vulnerable moments.
“I’ve always admired how nurses not only provide medical care but also bring comfort, strength, and compassion to patients and their families,” she said. “Seeing the profound impact that kindness and support can have on someone’s healing journey confirmed that this is the path I am meant to take.”
At Saddleback, Auman finds her work with oncology patients deeply rewarding.
“Witnessing the resilience of oncology patients has given me a deeper appreciation for life, and I feel privileged to be part of their challenging journey toward cancer recovery,” she said. “I also value the culture of teamwork and mentorship at Saddleback—it’s inspiring to know that I am part of a community that supports one another in giving the best care possible.”
Representing Irvine in the scholarship program is especially meaningful to her.
“Irvine has been my home since I moved to the United States, and representing the city in this program has been incredibly rewarding and humbling,” Auman said. “Carrying Irvine’s name with me as I pursue my career in nursing is a reminder that my achievements are not mine alone, but a reflection of the encouragement and opportunities I’ve been blessed with.”
Since its inception, the Saddleback Medical Center Foundation Scholarship Program has awarded more than $1.4 million to its employees. To qualify, applicants must be permanent part-time or full-time employees with at least six months of continuous service at Saddleback. Each awardee completes a detailed application, reviewed by Professional Development leaders to ensure the scholarships reach dedicated staff committed to advancing their expertise. Leaders say the program reflects the hospital’s commitment to fostering professional development while also enhancing patient care.
“At Saddleback, we are proud to support a culture where our team members continue to grow, lead and bring new ideas to patient care,” said Shela Kaneshiro, MBA, RN, BSN, FACHE, NEA-BC, CPHQ, CEO of Saddleback Medical Center, in a press release announcing this year’s recipients.
For Auman, the recognition is a step forward on her journey to becoming not only a stronger oncology nurse but also a future mentor to others.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this article referred to Saddleback Medical Center as Saddleback Hospital