2025 My SoCal Hospital Heroes on stage

My SoCal Hospital Heroes Awards

Congratulations to the 2026 Hospital Heroes!

HASC is thrilled to announce this year’s healthcare rock stars! As usual, the selection committee members had a challenging time narrowing down the finalists from among so many exceptional nominees. We’re grateful to everyone who took the time to submit nominations and tell us about your amazing heroes.

Now, at long last, here they are. Please join us in congratulating our confirmed 2026 finalists and three special awardees!

2026 Hospital Heroes

  • Sunnie Dishman – Clinical Nurse Manager, UCLA Health 
  • Scott Dunn – Maintenance Mechanic – Greater Los Angeles VA 
  • Pam Flores, Manager of Community Health and Volunteer Services, Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center
  • Paula Gallucci, Clinical Manager, Cottage Health
  • Kevin Germano, Biomedical Equipment Technician, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center
  • Araceli Hurst, Social Worker, Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veterans’ Hospital
  • Paul Kantor, Chief, Division of Cardiology, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
  • Morinsola Keshinro, Certified Child Life Specialist, Northridge Hospital Medical Center
  • Blake Nunez, Clinical Nurse II, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
  • Ankit Patel, Director of Nursing, College Hospital Costa Mesa
  • Bryan Sharp, Substance Use Navigator, Bear Valley Community Healthcare District
  • Cherie Towers, Director of Volunteer Services, Redlands Community Hospital
  • April Villarreal, Clinical Lab Scientist, Lompoc Valley Medical Center
  • Eyad Wahdan, Nurse Manager, Kaiser Permanente Anaheim Medical Center
  • Kathy Yoshimura, Director, Laboratory and Pathology Services, PIH Health Good Samaritan Hospital

Special Honorees

  • Roger Thomas, M.D., Hoag – Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Hector Flores, M.D., Adventist Health White Memorial Medical Center – Humanitarian of the Year
  • Janet Nguyen, Orange County Board of Supervisors – Legislator of the Year

Our heartfelt thanks go to each one of our heroes and to all the amazing employees at our member hospitals. Every day, 24/7/365, your hard work, dedication and caring bring healing and hope across Southern California. It’s our great privilege to honor you!


Awards Gala

We look forward to celebrating this year’s awardees at the fourth annual My SoCal Hospital Heroes Awards Gala, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Sheraton Grand, Los Angeles. You’re warmly invited to join us!


Thank You to Our 2026 Sponsors

Event Sponsor

Logo of PIH Health , a 2026 My SoCal Hospital Heroes Awards sponsor

Table Sponsor

Logo of West Coast University (WCU), a 2026 My SoCal Hospital Heroes Awards sponsor

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