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Honoring San Diego's Health Care Innovators: A Night of Recognition

On November 13, 2025, The Prado in Balboa Park will transform into a celebration of compassion and innovation, as Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan hosts its third annual Leading the Way Awards Dinner. This prestigious event aims to honor more than 30 remarkable individuals and organizations that have significantly contributed to the health and well-being of the San Diego community.

A Celebration of Commitment and Innovation

Led by President and CEO Kristen Cerf, Blue Shield Promise has organized this event to shine a spotlight on champions of health care. "Our Leading the Way Award winners are champions of care and innovation," Cerf said. She emphasizes the critical role these honorees play, ensuring that Medi-Cal members and residents of San Diego County receive high-quality services critical for healthy living.

This year’s awards span categories such as Distinguished Service, Wellness Empowerment, Youth Engagement and Resiliency, Equitable Health Access, and Quality Health Care. These categories reflect the diverse contributions that address the comprehensive health needs of residents across the region.

Visionary Awards: Acknowledging Exceptional Leadership

Among the most notable recognitions, the Visionary Awards will be presented to SBCS (formerly South Bay Community Services) and Fernando Sañudo, CEO of Vista Community Clinic. With over fifty years combined experience serving San Diegans, their tireless dedication to the community’s health needs exemplifies the spirit of the Leading the Way Awards.

Kathryn Lembo, CEO of SBCS, shared, "SBCS is deeply honored to receive this award from Blue Shield Promise. It’s a powerful affirmation of our unwavering commitment to meet the urgent needs of our community with heart, speed, and purpose." Meanwhile, Sañudo expressed gratitude: "The success of Vista Community Clinic has never been about one person — it's about the collective strength of a team united by a deep commitment to access, equity, and community."

Diverse Honorees Transforming Lives

The event will acknowledge both individual and group contributions toward equal access to health care. Some standout honorees include:

• - Distinguished Service Individual Award recipients include notable doctors such as Blanca Fresno, MD, and Chris Gordon, MD, MBA.
• - Group Awards will go to organizations like Family Health Centers of San Diego for their efforts in outreach to homeless populations, and San Diego American Indian Health Center for their youth outreach initiatives.
• - Other categories celebrate innovative efforts in wellness empowerment, including organizations like Humanity Showers and Voices of Our City which focus on meeting the needs of the most vulnerable populations.

Each of these honorees represents a beacon of hope and resilience, demonstrating the power of collaboration and community in effecting positive change in health care.

Looking Ahead: A Future of Health Equity

The commitment expressed by the awardees reflects the broader ethic underpinning Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan. "This award is just a small token of recognition they all deserve," Cerf stated, highlighting the essential partnerships necessary to make substantial improvements in healthcare delivery across San Diego.

As the event approaches, it offers not only a platform for recognition but also a call to continue striving towards health equity and access for all. The significant strides made by these leaders and organizations propel a collective movement towards a healthier future for San Diego County.

For more information on the Leading the Way Awards or to follow the impactful stories of the honorees, visit Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan.

Through the combined efforts of dedicated professionals and organizations in the San Diego community, the meeting of health needs promises a brighter, healthier future for all residents.