By writing Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan
Nov 26, 2024, 2:00 PM EST
The honorees represented a broad cross-section of health professionals and community organizations recognized for promoting health equity, improving health access, and ensuring high-quality care.
Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan announced the 52 San Diego County individuals and organizations recognized at the 2nd Annual Leading the Way Awards Dinner. The event took place on November 21, 2024 at The Prado, Balboa Park.
The honorees represented a broad cross-section of health professionals and community organizations recognized for promoting health equity, improving health access, and ensuring high-quality care.
“The people and organizations we are honoring make a significant difference in our communities and in the lives of our Medi-Cal members in San Diego County,” said Kristen Cerf, president and CEO of Blue Shield Promise. “We recognize them for the vital contributions they offer to those who need our help most. Their dedication, innovation, and commitment to accessible and equitable care help us achieve our mission. “We couldn’t do it without them.”
Honorees were recognized for their achievements in several categories, including exemplary leadership, cooperative excellence, innovation, distinguished service, quality of health care and equitable access to care.
Two of the honorees, Chicano Federation and Zara Marselian, president and CEO of La Maestra Community Health Centers, will receive the Visionary Award for their transformative role in serving the community.
“We at Chicano Federation are extremely honored to receive the Visionary Award from Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan. This recognition highlights the heart of our mission: strengthening our community by ensuring families equitable access to health care and essential resources,” said Liz Ramírez, executive director of the Chicano Federation. “Together, we are creating a future where all San Diego County families can feel safe, appreciated and supported.”
“It is a great honor for all of us at La Maestra Community Health Centers to be recognized for our visionary, holistic and culturally sensitive approach to community health through the La Maestra Circle of Care integrated delivery model,” said Zara Marselian, PhD. , FACHE, president and CEO of the nonprofit organization, and this year’s recipient of the Individual Visionary Award. “We greatly value our partnership with Blue Shield Promise in the Medi-Cal redetermination efforts, as well as the emergency response to the flooding that impacted our San Diego communities.”
List of Blue Shield Promise Health Plan 2024 “Leading the Way” Award Honorees
Leading the Way Visionary Award
- Chicano Federation
- Zara Marselian, PhD, FACHE, President and CEO, La Maestra Community Health Centers
Leading the Way Distinguished Service Award
- Dr. Ira Braverman, MD, internist
- Norma Chávez-Peterson, Executive Director, ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties
- Karis Grounds, Principal Consultant, Elevation Health Partners
- Dr. John D. Malone, MD, MPH (in memoriam)
- Lourdes Valderrama, administrative manager, Paradise Family Health Center and Pediatrics in Paradise
Leading the Way Award for Equitable Access to Health Care (for Medi-Cal Redetermination)
- Access to Independence
- Chicano Federation
- Chula Vista Community Collaborative
- Community Care IPA
- San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency Self-Sufficiency Programs Department
- Family Health Centers of San Diego
- Integrated Health Partners of Southern California
- La Maestra Community Health Centers
- License to Freedom
- MAAC
- Mama’s Kitchen
- Mid-City CAN
- Monarch School
- Open Heart Leaders
- Operation Samahan
- Prospect Medical Systems
- Rady Children’s Health Network
- SAY San Diego
- Second Chance
- Somali Family Services
- SBCS (previously known as South Bay Community Services)
- Union of Pan Asian Communities (UPAC)
Leading the Way Innovation Award
- Family Health Centers of San Diego El Cajon Urgent Care and Cardiac Center
- Refined Management
Leading the Way Award for Exemplary Leadership (for San Diego flood response)
- Alpha Project
- Family House
- Central San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce
- Chicano Federation
- San Diego County Office of Emergency Services
- Family Health Centers of San Diego
- Father Joe’s Villages
- Feeding San Diego
- Harvey Family Foundation
- Jackie Robinson Family YMCA
- Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank
- La Maestra Community Health Centers
- Legal Aid Society of San Diego
- National School District
- Neighborhood House Association
- Operation Samahan
- San Diego Foundation
- San Diego Habitat for Humanity
- San Ysidro Health
- SBCS (previously known as South Bay Community Services)
- Spring Valley Library
- The Urban Collaborative
Leading the Way Award for Cooperative Excellence
- Family House
- Kitchens for Good
- Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center
Leading the Way Award for Healthcare Quality
- Best Results (Large Group): Vista Community Clinic – Member of Integrated Health Partners of Southern California
- Best Results (Medium Group): Neighborhood Healthcare – Member of Integrated Health Partners of Southern California
- Best Results (Small Group): Community Health Systems – Member of Integrated Health Partners of Southern California
- Superior improvement in the percentage of quality measures at or above the 75th percentile: TrueCare – Member of Integrated Health Partners of Southern California
- Greater improvement in the percentage of quality measures at or above the 50th percentile: Rady Children’s Health Network
About Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan
Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan is a managed care organization 100% owned by Blue Shield of California and offers Medi-Cal plans. The organization is managed by healthcare professionals with a member-first philosophy and a commitment to developing a network of quality providers and collaborating with community organizations for its more than 530,000 members in Los Angeles and San Diego counties. For more information about Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, visit www.blueshieldca.com/promise. To read more news about Blue Shield of California, visit our Spanish News Center at https://es.news.blueshieldca.com/. Or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook.