10/10/2025
Meet Bessalee Downing, MSN, RN – Director of Nursing at CRMC! 💙🏥
We’d love for you to get to know Bessalee Downing, our compassionate and dedicated Director of Nursing here at Coalinga Regional Medical Center.
Bessalee’s journey into nursing is anything but typical — nursing is her second career. She began as a high school history teacher, where she discovered her passion for helping others grow and succeed. That passion led her to healthcare, where she’s continued to make a lasting impact.
She earned her BSN from National University and her Masters in Nurse Education from Grand Canyon University, and she brings a wealth of knowledge and hands-on expertise, including extensive training in wound care and certifications in ostomy care.
Bessalee lives by one of her favorite quotes from Maya Angelou:
“As nurses, we have the opportunity to heal the heart, mind, soul, and body of our patients, their families, and ourselves. They may forget your name, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”
This quote truly reflects how Bessalee leads — with heart, empathy, and a deep commitment to compassionate care.
Next time you see her around CRMC, don’t hesitate to say hello! 👋
