Nursing Annual Report 2026 | A Legacy of Excellence

Excellence in Nursing Structural Empowerment Winner: Meghan Mendiola; Nurse Practioner, Palliative Care

Meghan Mendiola; Nurse Practioner, Palliative Care

Meghan has earned the deep respect of her colleagues through her exceptional clinical expertise, compassionate approach, and unwavering commitment to advancing palliative care. Over the past year, she has led the development of evidence-informed protocols that enhance comfort care for patients at the end of life, ensuring dignity and individualized support during their most vulnerable moments.

Her leadership has also strengthened systemwide collaboration by streamlining referral pathways and improving communication across interdisciplinary teams. These efforts have resulted in more timely access to palliative services and a more seamless experience for patients and families. Meghan’s presence, vision, and dedication have been instrumental in elevating the quality of palliative care within our organization. Her contributions continue to shape a more compassionate, patient-centered model of care that benefits our entire community.

Recognition: DAISY Award®

Our nominations for the DAISY Award® continue to increase. We had 1054 applications in 2025 with 10 winners. The DAISY Award has given our nurses the reminder that the extraordinary care and respect they give to their patients and families each day, is extremely impactful and meaningful.

January  Arlene Vargas, Labor & Delivery	February  Roland Pobalate, Critical Care Unit	March  Kristy Lau, Patient Care Resources	April  Diana Horrilleno, Intensive Care Unit	June  Dottie Eldred, Care Coordination
July  Kat Nguyen-Bilse, 4B Medical Surgical Oncology	August  Kris Cana, 2B Pre Op Short Stay	September  Lynne Anger, Labor & Delivery	October  Edna Ogbonnaya, 4B Medical Surgical Oncology	November  Tena Reich, Cardiovascular Pulmonary Wellness Center

Nursing Certification List 2025

Practice Transition Accreditation Program® (PTAP): Growing the Next Generation of Nursing Excellence

Supporting the transition of new graduate nurses into professional practice withThe Nurse Residency Program.

The Nurse Residency Program achieved accreditation with distinction for the third consecutive cycle, marking a significant milestone in our ongoing pursuit of nursing excellence. This recognition is especially meaningful because it fulfills a key requirement for maintaining our ANCC Magnet designation. The Pathway to Transition to Practice (PTAP) accreditation process is highly rigorous, requiring organizations to meet more than forty standards that ensure the highest level of quality for new graduate nurse residency programs.

Following the submission of our comprehensive documentation in August and the completion of a one-day virtual site visit, the program received official notification of accreditation directly from the director of the ANCC program. During this call, the director highlighted several strengths that distinguished our program as a national leader. These included the exceptional peer support offered to new nurse residents, the strong organizational commitment demonstrated through robust resource allocation, the impressive retention outcomes for new graduate nurses, and the innovative use of advanced practice registered nurses as mentors for evidence-based practice projects.

These accomplishments reflect the dedication, collaboration, and passion that our nursing teams bring to the organization each day. The Nurse Residency Program remains a source of pride for our healthcare system and a model of excellence for supporting the transition of new graduate nurses into professional practice. This achievement underscores our collective commitment to fostering a strong, well prepared nursing workforce and advancing the standards of nursing practice across the organization.

Rising Together: The NIGHT OWLS Night Shift Council

The ECH Night Shift Council, known proudly as the NIGHT OWLS, is a newly formed Shared Governance Council established in accordance with the ECH Shared Governance Bylaws. Shared Governance is rooted in the belief that the staff members working closest to patients are best positioned to influence decisions that shape clinical practice and patient care. Through this structure, night shift staff and leadership collaborate to strengthen professional practice and support evidence based decision-making.

The mission of the NIGHT OWLS is to empower the ECH night shift team by fostering a culture of inclusion, safety, wellness, recognition, and shared decision-making. The council is committed to ensuring that every voice is heard and every idea is valued. Its work supports problem-solving, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement in patient care, while highlighting the dedication and resilience of night shift staff.

The vision of the NIGHT OWLS is to ensure that night shift perspectives are represented at every level of decision-making. The council strives to create an environment where night shift contributions are recognized, staff are engaged in ongoing improvements, and teams work together to deliver excellent patient care around the clock.

Since its formation, the NIGHT OWLS have already made meaningful progress. The council has introduced Quarterly Night Shift Nibbles to build community and support morale, collaborated with Security to address safety concerns during overnight hours, and partnered with the Director of Nutrition Services to expand food options available at night. These early accomplishments reflect the council’s commitment to supporting and elevating the night shift experience across the organization.

Celebrating the Legacy We Build Together

The Nursing Clinical Ladder Program at El Camino Health continues to serve as an important pathway for professional growth, recognizing nurses who demonstrate exceptional clinical expertise, leadership, and a strong commitment to advancing patient care. This program highlights nurses who consistently go above and beyond in their roles, contributing to shared governance, mentoring peers, and driving meaningful improvements across the organization.

In 2025, we proudly recognized 56 nurses who advanced to Clinical Nurse III and 57 nurses who advanced to Clinical Nurse IV. These accomplishments reflect the dedication, innovation, and compassion that our nurses bring to their practice every day. Each advancement represents a nurse who has made a lasting impact on their unit, strengthened the profession, and contributed to improved outcomes for the patients and families we serve.

By fostering a culture of excellence and supporting ongoing professional development, the Clinical Ladder Program continues to enhance staff engagement, elevate standards of care, and reinforce the exceptional nursing community that defines El Camino Health.