Shaya Baird

Biography

Shaya Baird is a dedicated pediatric nurse practitioner with over 29 years of experience in pediatric nursing and advanced practice care. She began her nursing career at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, specializing in pediatric oncology, after completing her bachelor's degree in nursing at Belmont University in Nashville,Tennessee. Upon relocating to California, she continued her work in pediatric oncology at UCLA while earning her master of science in nursing at UCLA. 

Following graduate school, Baird joined the cardiothoracic surgery and pediatric cardiology team at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), where she gained extensive experience in managing complex cardiac patients. She also holds advanced training in pediatric diabetes care, further broadening her clinical expertise.  

Driven by her passion for child health and education, Baird earned her School Nurse Credential from California State University, Fullerton. For the past decade, she has served as a district school nurse in a local public school district, advocating and providing care as well as health education to students, families, and staff including teaching CPR to staff. Prior to working in the public schools, Baird also taught at California State University, Northridge, where she led courses in health assessment (lecture and skills lab) and child and family development. 

Baird is also committed to global and faith-based health outreach. She has participated in medical mission trips to Honduras and serves each summer as the camp nurse for her church’s youth program. She has long-standing ties to the Church of Christ having attended The University Church at Pepperdine for over a decade and currently worships with the Conejo Valley Church of Christ. She believes deeply in the mission of Pepperdine and in God’s purpose for each individual’s life. She is honored to support the development of future nurses, both academically and spiritually, at Pepperdine University. 

Outside of her professional life, Baird enjoys attending sporting events, spending time at the beach, and traveling with her husband and their three children.

Education

• M.S.N., Pediatric Nurse Practioner emphasis, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
• School Nurse Credential, California State University, Fullerton
• B.S.N., Belmont University, Nashville, TN