PRC Announces 2025 Healthcare Leadership Award Recipients

Honoring healthcare leaders and teams raising the standard of care through innovation, compassion, and excellence.

OMAHA, Neb., Sept. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PRC, a national leader in healthcare experience improvement, proudly announced the recipients of their 2025 Healthcare Leadership Awards. Honored at the 2025 Healthcare Experience Summit, these awards recognize visionaries, changemakers, and champions raising the standard of healthcare across the country.

More than 300 healthcare leaders gathered to share best practices and celebrate achievements.

"The Healthcare Leadership Awards season is always one of the most inspiring times of the year," said Laurie Speaks, Senior Vice President of Client Success at PRC. "Behind every nomination is a story of compassion, innovation, and resilience. Whether or not they take home an award, every nominee has made a measurable impact on the lives of their patients, employees, and communities."

Highlights from this year's honorees:

Madeline Larsen, Director of Organizational Improvement, Riverview Health

When sepsis outcomes were at risk, Madeline Larsen led a transformation at Riverview Health that boosted compliance and saved lives. Her hands-on, compassionate approach engages staff at every level, turning feedback into evidence-based strategies that improve safety, satisfaction, and outcomes.

Radiology Oncology Department, Barnes Jewish West County Hospital

A 15-month construction project could have disrupted patient care, but this Radiology Oncology team refused to let that happen. Through detailed planning, proactive outreach, and patient-centered support, they not only kept patients safe but maintained top-tier satisfaction scores, proving excellence doesn't pause for challenges. 

Peter Abellera, Volunteer Coordinator, Saint Louise Regional Hospital, Santa Clara Valley Healthcare

As Chair of the Patient Experience Committee, Peter Abellera has inspired staff, physicians, and patients alike through creative initiatives that make care more personal. From launching the "Commit to Sit" campaign to leading a "No Pass Zone" approach, Peter has embedded compassion into daily routines. His leadership also brought recognition programs that celebrate extraordinary service, creating a culture where excellence is noticed and shared.

Med/Surg Nurses, Floyd County Medical Center

Sometimes excellence is measured not just in outcomes, but in moments. At Floyd County Medical Center, the Med/Surg nursing team helped a patient virtually attend his granddaughter's wedding from his hospital room. They dressed him in a suit coat, provided a boutonniere, and stayed by his side during the ceremony. Their compassion turned a hospital stay into a cherished memory, reminding us that true healing embraces both physical and emotional care.

Recognizing Excellence Across the Country

This year's recipients reflect the breadth of healthcare excellence—from patient safety to organizational culture to community impact. Honorees include:

• Brand Excellence: Nancy Gere, Watsonville Community Hospital
• Community Impact: Laura Frank, Hackensack Meridian Health
• Healthcare Excellence: Julie Geils, Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital (Ascension)
• Outstanding Culture: Roosevelt General Hospital; MRI Department, Barnes Jewish Hospital (BJC HealthCare)
• Physician Leadership: Dr. Johnny Perez, Bayou Bend Health System
• Health Equity: Patient Experience: Brenda Nance, St. Francis Health System
• Improvement Champion: Norwalk Hospital, Nuvance

In addition to these honorees, dozens of individuals and teams were recognized for advancing patient experience, safety, physician engagement, and quality across their organizations. More than 15 leaders and teams from Prime Healthcare stood out across multiple categories, including Champion of Patient Experience (St. Francis Medical Center and Saint Michael's Medical Center), Healthcare Experience Leader (Saint Michael's Medical Center), Patient Experience Impact (St. Mary's Regional Medical Center and Monroe Hospital), and Improvement Champion Awards (La Palma Intercommunity Hospital, Centinela Hospital Medical Center, and Chino Valley Medical Center). These recognitions highlight Prime Healthcare's broad, system-wide commitment to healthcare quality and community trust.

Full list of winners

For the complete list of 2025 PRC Healthcare Leadership Award recipients, visit prcexcellence.com/awards.

About PRC

PRC, a leader in the healthcare intelligence space, is taking surveys to a new level. PRC's surveys and intuitive reporting focus on changing the way organizations manage and improve five key areas of the healthcare experience—patient, physician, employee, community, and brand. Over 2,800 healthcare organizations across the United States have used PRC to listen, understand, and take action to create cultures of excellence. prcexcellence.com

Media Contact

Kristin Llorente
Speaks Marketing Group LLC
P: 512-577-2857
E: [email protected]

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SOURCE PRC