Help Chart Our Course for the Future! Thanks to a Generous Donation from the
Gaspare Family Trust |
In Honor of our Mountain Shadows Nurses Your DONATION will be DOUBLED up to $8,500! |
Honoring Our Mountain Shadows Nurses Tina Price: Health Services Coordinator, RN ‘Ohana Times Three+ |
Tina Price, MSCH-SD, RN, Health Services Coordinator at around 2 1/2 years old |
by Sheryl Wilde
‘Ohana means family, and family means no one gets left behind. ~Lilo and Stitch |
Tina with her mother, Evelyn Bandong. They always knew she would be a nurse. |
The Hawaiian concept of ‘ohana goes beyond creating loving relationships with blood relatives. ‘Ohana embraces the devotion to, and caring for, all members of the human family.
Tina Price, RN, Health Services Coordinator, MSCH-SD, brings life to the spirit of ‘ohana by living the Mountain Shadows Because I Care motto in all aspects of her life. |
Tina, and her brother, Jason Bandong. |
“Family is the most important thing to me,” says Tina.
And true to the concept of ‘ohuna, Tina embraces a broader sense of family.
“I have my own family. I have my Mountain Shadows family. And I have my hula family. And I love them all!” |
Tina, and husband, Jacob. |
The Mountain Shadows Family
While Tina always knew she would become a nurse, she didn’t expect to go into nursing for intellectually disabled individuals.
“I was interested in labor and delivery nursing, but right out of nursing school, I found Mountain Shadows, and I fell in love.
“I love the residents. They hold such a special place in my heart. And, after ten years, I’m still here. And I don’t know how I could ever leave, honestly.” |
Tina and MSCH RNs (left to right) Sara Rohling, Stacy Miller, Bill Lebbin, and Elizabeth Schoen, on Sara’s last day as the previous Health Services Coordinator in 2021. |
“Family is number one,” says Tina. “Being there for each other, caring for each other, no matter what. That’s what’s important to me. And Mountain Shadows is included in that.
“I have a need to care for others. It’s something I enjoy. Something I love.
“We have a nursing team of five, and we do everything we can to make sure all of the residents get the best possible care.
“I’ve learned through the residents not to judge a book by its cover. Others who don’t know them think the disabled, our residents, don’t have a good quality of life, but they really do. They are thriving here! They have people who care for them. People who love them. I really feel like Mountain Shadows is just one huge family, and I’m glad to be a part of it.”
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Cedar resident, Cathy Arom, and Cedar staff (left to right) Mitzy, Jennifer, Maria, Brittin (Ash/Cedar QIDP), and Monica (Ash/Cedar RC) during staff appreciation week in 2024. |
The Mountain Shadows ‘ohana of nurses ensures our residents receive the highest level of care wherever they are. If a resident is hospitalized, or needs to be transferred to a skilled nursing facility, the nursing team is there. They coordinate care with other professionals, and routinely visit residents when they require medical care off-campus.
“I remember one time a resident, Heather, was hospitalized for a couple of months,” says Tina. “While she was in the hospital, I, along with the QIDP, and the RC (residential coordinator) took turns visiting her there.
“Each time she saw me, her face would light up. She would start laughing and smiling. And she would reach out for me. She wanted to hold my hand. While, like Heather, a resident may be nonverbal, you can tell by a smile, or a squeeze of the hand, that they are happy you are there.
“Another resident, Cathy, developed kidney stones, and had to be hospitalized. Our care team visited her there all the time. When I went to see her, she would say, ‘I want to come home to Mountain Shadows. I miss you. I love you.’ “I was talking with Cathy’s brother, Board Member James Arom, and Cathy had shared with him how happy she was about our visiting her in the hospital. He was happy about that too.” So the Mountain Shadows ‘Ohana circle continues to expand.
“Caring for the residents – it’s very rewarding work. And the Mountain Shadows Because I Care motto? That’s the most important part.” |
Tina at the Mountain Shadows COVID-19 vaccine clinic during the pandemic. |
Says Stacy Sullivan, Executive Director, MSSG/MSAS, “Tina definitely represents the Because I Care motto. She really works hard to meet everyone’s needs. She’s a great nurse, and she’s also our Health Services Coordinator. So, she continues to provide care to our residents, and she manages the nursing team. It’s a difficult job.
“Tina became our Health Services Coordinator when we were still deep in the pandemic. It was a tough job to take on. She was a great resource for us during that time. She was part of the process of making things work when we had to constantly pivot as COVID changed the world. “Tina knows the history of every resident, and everybody’s loved ones. Sometimes people don’t realize how critical it is to have that consistency of care.” |
Monica, RC, Tina, and Brittin, QIDP, awarding Ash House with a 1 year medication error free certificate for 2017. |
Adds Stacy Miller, RN, “Tina was a new graduate when she was hired on, but her responsibilities at Mountain Shadows have grown. There’s a lot of responsibility on her shoulders. She’s managing of team of five nurses, who care for 120 residents. I don’t know how she does it. “One of the things I like about Tina is that her door is always open. The nursing team collaborates a lot. We support each other.
“I’ve worked with Tina as a nurse, as a peer, and now that she has been promoted, she hasn’t forgotten what it means to be a nurse at Mountain Shadows. One of the things I appreciate most about her is that she’s not afraid to ask me, or anyone else on the nursing team, a question. She’s not afraid to say, ‘I need help.’ She makes sure everybody is happy and getting what they need. And we’re all in this together.”
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Tina as the Energizer Bunny for MSCH Trunk or Treat in 2017. |
“Tina is just great all around,” says Arlene Galvan, Director of Operation, MSSG. “She carries a lot of weight on her shoulders. She bridges and connects people.
“When resident Lupita comes into the office, she’s like, ‘Oh, Tina! It’s so good to see you!!!’ She gets really excited. When you bring that kind of joy and excitement into someone’s life, it’s really special. I don’t know if Tina even notices the impact she has, but she has a huge impact on the residents here – and she always has the best Halloween costumes! Tina is an amazing human being and we’re lucky to have her as part of the team.”
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Jacob, Naya, Keoni (KJ), and Tina in matching flannels for a family get together. |
The ‘Ohana ‘Ohana
Says Tina of her own family, “I was born in the Philippines, but moved to San Marcos when I was four months old. My family has always been close. My whole family is very caring, loving and supportive. I want to raise my own family like that. I want my husband, and my children, to know they can always depend on me. I want my family to know I am always there for them. I want them to know that, as a family, we can always depend on each other.”
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The Price Family at the pumpkin patch in 2025. |
Says Jacob, Tina’s husband, “We met in high school, in computer class.” The pair didn’t date and lost touch after high school. “But, we reconnected about six years ago, on Facebook. After that, we started dating and just hit if off right away.
“I always tell Tina that I love her. She’s the best thing that ever happened to me. I never thought I would find somebody, but I did.
“I want her to know she does a lot, for me, and the kids, and I really appreciate it. And I really appreciate that she says, ‘Hi honey, I love you,’ every morning.
“Tina is just a very caring person and it shows in whatever she does – wife, mom, daughter, nurse – she cares. She cares for people. So it makes sense that she’s at Mountain Shadows, because she likes to care.” |
The Bandong/Price ‘Ohana during Christmas 2024: (left to right) Jason (brother), Naya, Dara (sister in law), Evelyn (mother), Roberto (father), KJ, Tina, and Jacob. |
“Jacob is my best friend,” adds Tina. “He’s the person I come to when I have news about something. We share secrets.
“Jacob is ‘my person.’ For a long time, I was searching for my person. And it’s funny – he was there all along! And now we have this beautiful life together.” |
Jamie, Tina’s best friend of 18 years, and Tina, having a sweet treat after working together as the Easter bunny at the Escondido Mall. |
The Price ‘ohana reaches beyond blood ties. Says Jamie Hernandez, Tina’s best friend, “Tina and I are so close. We call each other sisters, and our brothers are brothers.
“We met in college in 2008, and we are still best friends. We’ve laughed together, we’ve cried together, we’ve confided in each other, and we’ve supported each other during hard times. Tina is just overall a great human being. That may sound generic, but I wholeheartedly mean it.” |
Tina and Jamie taking advantage of golden hour with an impromptu photoshoot. |
Continues Jamie, “I don’t ever remember not laughing with Tina. Sometimes life can get really serious. Having someone to laugh with about everything, it just makes life so much better. I love that about our friendship. We can look at each other and make a face and just start laughing.” |
Jacob and Tina just moments after getting engaged in O’ahu in 2021. |
The Hula ‘Ohana Tina started taking hula lessons in February of 2025, and it quickly became a passion, and a way of life.
Far more than a pretty dance, hula is a living language. At her “hālau”, Kūhai Hālau o Kawenaokalā’iokalani, or more easily known as the San Diego Hula Academy, she has embraced the philosophy that every movement within a dance carries a story, a part of Hawaiian history, and a deep connection to Hawaiian culture. Tina shares her love of hula with Jamie, and together, as part of the school, they enjoy spreading the essence of the dance in the greater San Diego area – and with the Mountain Shadows community.
“Hula is so beautiful, and so meaningful,” says Tina. “Our group came to Mountain Shadows and did a show for the residents. I worked with Gloria, MSCH’s Activities Director, to put on a sunset luau for the residents with the help of a few of my hula sisters. Gloria got them Hawaiian lei and the activities team made them tropical drinks with the tiny umbrellas.
“I didn’t come out until the third song of the performance. And, in the beginning, when I wasn’t on the stage, the residents were calling my name, saying, ‘We want Tina! We want Tina!’ It was so fun! We try to do everything we can to make the residents’ lives fulfilling. Hula is something many of them have never experienced before.”
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Tina and the San Diego Hula Academy hula dancers, pictured with Oak resident, Anne, performed at Mountain Shadows in June 2025. |
Adds Arlene Galvan, Director of Operations, MSSG, “Tina is the leader of our nursing department, and she’s a nurse herself. She’s very talented and very creative. She cares about the residents.
“Bringing the hula performance to Mountain Shadows brought something different and unique into the lives of our residents. Tina took the extra step to bring something deeply personal to her, to the residents. She really embodies the Because I Care philosophy we have here.” |
Tina during her first “ho’ike” (or showcase) in May 2025 performing ancient hula, or “hula kahiko”. |
‘Ohana teaches us that life connects all members of the human family. He ʻohana kākou i loko o ke aloha We are a family in love. ~Hawaiian Proverb
In the Hawaiian spirit of ‘ohana, Tina lovingly cares for the needs of others and the world – leaving no one behind – and we are grateful to call her part of our Mountain Shadows ‘Ohana!
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Help Chart Our Course for the Future! Thanks to a Generous Donation from the
Gaspare Family Trust |
In Honor of our Mountain Shadows Nurses
Your DONATION will be DOUBLED up to $8,500! |
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The Mountain Shadows Foundation – Because We CARE |
Thanks to YOUR SUPPORT, the Mountain Shadows CARE program provides recreational and social experiences to residents and participants adding meaning and richness to their lives.
It’s easy for you to help us continue to provide activities like this – activities that improve the quality of our residents’ lives in fulfillment of their dreams. Here are some ways you can help ensure these crucial activities can continue for years to come: -
Make a one-time donation today by clicking on the donate button below.
- Make a monthly or annual contribution.
- Leave a Legacy Gift.
To learn more about the Mountain Shadows Foundation Legacy Society, to include us in your estate plan, or to let us know if you have already designated Mountain Shadows to receive a legacy gift, please contact Mandy Huiras, Director of Development at: mhuiras@mtnshadows.org, or visit our website by clicking here:
Learn More About the Mountain Shadows Foundation Legacy Society Please share this story with your family, friends and co-workers to help grow our Mountain Shadows Family!
To learn more about Mountain Shadows volunteer opportunities, please click below:
Learn about Mountain Shadows Volunteer Opportunities Here |
Mandy Huiras
Mountain Shadows Foundation Director of Development
Contact Mandy today to learn more about the Mountain Shadows Foundation and how you can continue to make a difference in the lives of our residents:
mhuiras@mtnshadows.org |
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