Merlynda De Lira received her BSN from Loma Linda University School of Nursing in 1997. In 2016, she obtained a dual Master’s degree in Business Administration and Nursing, with a focus in health care administration from the University of Phoenix. Merlynda brings 24 years of nursing experience, including over 17 years of case management experience within health plans, managed care organizations, acute care hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. Her previous roles include prior authorizations, denials, and appeals case management, leading a team of outpatient case managers to assist patients with complex medical and social issues, and as the Director of Case Management and Social Work at Sharp Grossmont Hospital, the largest acute care hospital in the east San Diego area. Currently, Merlynda is the Manager of Sharp Extended Care, coordinating patient care with a team of nurses and providers for all Sharp Rees-Stealy and Sharp Community Medical Group patients at 54 skilled nursing facilities in the San Diego County. Merlynda’s passion is to assist in the development of programs to educate and promote the profession of medical case management.