Trustee, CEO and District of the Year
TRUSTEE OF THE YEAR
Linda Greer, RN, Palomar Health
As the Palomar Health Board of Directors Chair, Linda Greer is a huge contributor to a large variety of crucial events and initiatives that have had a positive and inspiring effect on Palomar Health employees, patients and the overarching community. With Ms. Greer’s valuable input and guidance, Palomar Health has successfully made health care an approachable, celebrated part of life. Linda’s efforts have strengthened the San Diego community through the Palomar Health Foundation’s establishment of the first-ever large-scale, fun-filled wellness festival. This event, known as Health Rocks, welcomed thousands of locals to the Palomar Medical Center’s Escondido Campus and featured Smashmouth and other live bands, delicious food trucks, partnerships with professional sports teams and over 60 vendor booths – all at no cost to the community’s attendees. Ms. Greer is deeply passionate about the care and safety of patients, which is palpable through her involvement in opening the Palomar Health Trauma Recovery Program located at One Safe Place. This safe haven permits children, adults and elderly victims of abuse along with their families to receive crisis care, advocacy, counseling, legal services and connection to housing that includes long-term mentoring, workforce readiness and educational opportunities, all under the same roof.
CEO OF THE YEAR
Edward Mirzabegian Antelope Valley Healthcare District
Edward Mirzabegian has been the Chief Executive Officer of Antelope Valley Healthcare District for 10 years. He has successfully implemented new service lines to meet the growing medical needs of the Antelope Valley and surrounding communities. For example, he has helped develop the stroke lab for advanced care of stroke patients as a Thrombectomy Capable Center, introducing two new heart programs and expanded the emergency department facility by 7,200 square feet. As a distinguished member of the Antelope Valley region, Mr. Mirzabegian led the efforts to overcome and recover from the COVID pandemic. During his tenure, the hospital has grown to be the largest acute care hospital in the Antelope Valley, serving 220,000 patient visits a year. Antelope Valley Medical Center is the only level II Traum a Center, Pediatric unit, and the only level IIIB NICU within a 50-mile radius of this region.
DISTRICT OF THE YEAR
The Grossmont Healthcare District created the East County Rural Health Coalition (ECRHC), to find solutions to the health and wellness of the rural community in East San Diego County. This coalition was established in September of 2021. The vision of ECRHC was to have healthy communities in rural East San Diego County with local and timely access to health and wellness services. The Grossmont Healthcare District brought together a multidisciplinary group of public offices and community organizations to develop actionable tactics to address critical health and wellness issues impacting the east county rural communities. This one-year pilot program offers patients who live in rural areas and are discharged from Sharp Grossmont Hospital an opportunity to have a public health nurse and paramedic visit them in their home to ensure post-discharge instructions are being adhered to, a home safety inspection is completed and direct referrals to social services are offered.