12/23/2025
Sisters in scrubs. Sisters in life. 💙
From carpooling to night shifts, cheering each other on through high-risk patient situations and sharing the same mission in different hallways, these sisters prove that nursing is more than a career. It’s a calling that’s even more meaningful when shared with family.
Meet four sets of sisters who work here at UC Davis Health:
Alina & Angelina
Diana & Ada
Rue, Rosheena & Raissa
Ava & Menchu
Alina Okunev and Angelina Litvinov:
“I started my career at UC Davis in 2012 and quickly discovered how wonderful it was to be part of the UC Davis Health system. I shared my experience with my sister, Angelina, and after hearing how much I enjoyed my work and the culture here, she decided she wanted to join too. She applied, and about a year later, she was hired. It’s a really neat thing to be working within the same health system, and we’re both proud to be part of the UC Davis family," said Alina Okunev, RN, BSN, Cancer Center.
“Working with my sister means a lot to me. It’s really special to share this experience with her and be part of the same organization that’s making a difference in people’s lives. We support each other, and it’s nice knowing someone who really understands the work like we do. I’m proud of both of us for being part of UC Davis Health," said Angelina Litvinov, RN, BSN, Dermatology.
Diana Saelee and Ada Kwong:
“Ada and I used to carpool when we worked on the same unit. We were both on the night shift together and everyone would refer to us as ‘the sisters'," said Diana, Nurse Manager, Pediatric and Congenital Cardiac Care Clinic. "It was a memorable experience that shaped the formative years when I started out as a new nurse.”
“Diana and I both attended Sac State's nursing program, but in different years, so we were always at UC Davis for rotations. When Diana graduated her program, we were able to spend several years working together as she advanced from a new graduate nurse to an [assistant nurse manager] on the unit. It was so much fun," said Ada, Clinical Resource Nurse, East 4 Accelerated Access Unit.
Rue, Rosheena and Raissa Robles (maiden name):
“Working with my sisters as nurses in the same hospital is both fun and really exciting. We get to share not just our profession, but our daily routines—carpooling to work, grabbing lunch together, and supporting each other through the ups and downs of each shift. It’s rare to experience your career alongside the people you grew up with, and it makes every day feel a little lighter and a lot more meaningful," said Rue West, RN NICU.
“I love working together! There’s something special about working in the same hospital as my sisters — even on different units, we’re still each other’s safety net, cheerleaders, and built-in support system. Same mission, same heart, just different hallways," said Rosheena Atashkadeh, RN 48XPACU.
“It’s true when they say work is more fun when working with your best friends. We’re already connected genetically but working together connects us on a different level. We can relate with one another about the craziness a 12-hr shift brings but also enjoy the rewards that comes with this profession," said Raissa Hernandez, RN NSICU.
Ava Lim and Menchu Barcenas:
"Having my sister in some of my high-risk deliveries is something deeply comforting, and knowing that no matter how challenging the day gets, I have my sister there, not just as a colleague, but as family. The love of family woven into the fabric of our work makes everything more meaningful. It’s not just about sharing a workplace, it’s about sharing dreams, laughter, and the quiet understanding that only siblings carry. It’s a reminder of where we came from and how far we’ve come. We get to build, learn, and grow side by side in a place that values love, compassion, courage, integrity, learning, and high-quality patient care. I am so proud to be working alongside my sister," said Ava Lim, BSN, RNC, D3-University Birthing Suites.
"When my family moved to Sacramento many years ago, my sister Ava brought me to UC Davis Medical Center. I was in search for my first nursing job. At that time, Ava had been working at UC Davis for a few years and she had told me that she enjoyed the work environment, her coworkers and the professional growth opportunities. She had also worked at a different hospital simultaneously and eventually stayed at UC Davis. It highly influenced my decision to work here. It’s been such an amazing experience to be able to work along side with my sister at some of the high-risk pregnancies and deliveries," said Menchu Barcenas, RNC-NICU, D5-NICU.
Image Descriptions:
1: Alina and Angelina are standing side by side outdoors in front of a residential-style building. Both are wearing matching navy blue UC Davis Health scrubs with visible name badges and have their arms crossed.
2: Diana and Ada are standing outdoors in front of tall green plants. One person is wearing a sleeveless black top, and the other is wearing an off-the-shoulder white dress with a small colorful pattern.
3: Rosheena, Raissa and Rue wear blue scrubs with UC Davis Health logos. They are standing in front of a window.
4: Ava and Menchu are standing in front of a decorative backdrop. They are surrounded by an arch of balloons in shades of rose gold, gold, white and pink. To the left, there is a large collage board displaying multiple graduation photos.
