December 4, 2025 - El Camino Health today announced the establishment of the Norma Melchor Nursing Excellence Endowment, a major investment in strengthening the knowledge, skills and professional development of its nursing workforce. Named for Norma Melchor, who began her career as a World War II surgical nurse and dedicated more than six decades to El Camino Health, the endowment was made possible through a generous estate gift from Norma and Jack Melchor.
"This endowment is a remarkable investment in the future of nursing at El Camino Health," said Cheryl Reinking, chief nursing officer at El Camino Health. "It ensures that our nurses will continue to have access to advanced education, research, and professional development opportunities that strengthen their ability to provide the highest quality, compassionate care. Most importantly, it represents a lasting commitment to the growth and excellence of our nursing community, empowering us to serve our patients and our community with innovation and heart for generations to come, which is in alignment with Norma's values as a nurse and community leader."
The endowment will ensure that El Camino Health nurses have lasting access to opportunities that strengthen their skills and advance their profession. It will support onsite training, specialty certification preparation, scholarships for MSN and DNP programs, nursing fellowships, conference attendance and other initiatives that advance nurse education, research, evidence-based practice and leadership development. The endowment will also fund programs that strengthen nurse retention and expand leadership opportunities.
At a time when the national nursing workforce faces a staffing crisis, El Camino Health is making this major investment to meet current workforce needs while preparing the next generation of highly skilled nurses.
About El Camino Health
El Camino Health has served the communities of Silicon Valley and the South Bay for more than 60 years, with nationally recognized physicians and nurses at two not-for-profit acute care hospitals in Los Gatos and Mountain View, and 26 care locations across the region, which includes primary care, multi-specialty care, and urgent care. El Camino Health is dedicated to giving patients high-quality care utilizing the most advanced technology and research. As your healthcare partner of choice, we focus on keeping you healthy and getting you back on your feet when you need it, so you can live your best life.
Key Services Include:
- Cancer care
- Cardiovascular care
- Maternity care
- Mental health and addiction services
- Orthopedics
- Pulmonology
- Urology
- Women's health
Awards & Achievements:
- Named one of the World's Best Hospitals 2025 by Newsweek
- Best Hospitals for Maternity Care by U.S. News & World Report
- San Francisco Bay Area's first Magnet hospital for nursing excellence
To learn more, visit elcaminohealth.org.
###
