2025 My SoCal Hospital Heroes Awards Gala
PATTY HERRERA
DIGNITY HEALTH MARIAN REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER Community Health Education Director Community Health Outreach
I am writing to nominate Patty Herrera for the My SoCal Hospital Heroes Award. Patty serves as our community health education director at Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria, California. Our hospital services the city of Santa Maria and Central Coast of California, home to approximately 110,000 residents, of which nearly 80% of the cities’ population identifies themselves as Hispanic or Latino(a).
Furthermore, Patty and her team’s commitment to child passenger safety is truly commendable. As certified car seat inspectors, they have partnered with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to conduct car seat inspection events. Their unique ability to communicate fluently in both Spanish and Mixteco has been invaluable in ensuring that families from these communities understand the importance of proper car seat installation and usage.
Over the past 12 months, Patty has consistently gone above and beyond to contribute to our team and, more importantly, to the well-being of our community, particularly within Hispanic, Latino and underserved populations. Her dedication, compassion and proactive approach have made a tangible difference in the lives of folks in our community.
Beyond trauma prevention, Patty and her team have also been a driving force in our community health initiatives. They have actively participated in our diabetes prevention programs, providing culturally sensitive education and support to at-risk individuals. Recognizing the importance of mental and emotional well-being, they have also spearheaded self-esteem workshops for young girls, empowering them to develop confidence and resilience.
Partnering with our trauma program, Patty and her team’s support have been particularly impactful. Recognizing the high incidence of falls among our Spanish-speaking senior population, they took the initiative to become facilitators for “A Matter of Balance,” and have been instrumental in delivering this crucial program in Spanish. This has allowed us to reach a significantly larger segment of the community, empowering them with the knowledge and skills to prevent falls and maintain their independence.
Patty’s dedication extends to our most vulnerable population through the team’s active involvement in the Street Medicine Program. They regularly volunteer their time with other health care team members to provide essential services, including wound care, basic medical assessments and referrals to resources, directly to individuals experiencing homelessness. 30