Leading the Way: Celebrating San Diego Health Leaders

Blue Shield Promise honors individuals and organizations for outstanding contributions and providing high-quality, compassionate care in San Diego County

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan recognized 45 individuals and organizations for their outstanding work in meeting the full range of health needs of residents in San Diego County at the nonprofit health plan's fourth annual Leading the Way Awards Dinner at The Prado in Balboa Park on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026.

The honorees are a wide-ranging group of individuals and organizations who are helping improve health access, increase health equity and ensure San Diegans receive high-quality care.

"Every day, these remarkable leaders and organizations are breaking down barriers, creating opportunities, and helping people get the care, support, and resources they need to thrive," said Kristen Cerf, president and CEO of Blue Shield Promise. "We are especially proud that Blue Shield Promise has achieved a 4 out of 5-star NCQA rating for three consecutive years, a reflection of the strong partnerships we have built with providers, community organizations, and advocates throughout San Diego County. This recognition belongs not only to our health plan, but to the people and organizations we honor tonight, whose dedication helps improve access, advance health equity, and deliver better outcomes for the communities we serve."

This year, the Leading the Way Awards will be given in categories including Partnership Excellence, Distinguished Service, Workforce Impact, Youth Engagement & Resiliency, Advancing Mental Health Access, Creating Healthy Futures, Community Outreach by a Provider, and Quality Health Care.

The Visionary Awards, the plan's highest honors, were presented to Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) San Diego and Kevin Mattson, chief executive officer of San Ysidro Health. Together, they represent decades of dedication to supporting the health, well-being and opportunity of San Diego County residents.

"Receiving this Visionary Award is a tremendous honor and a reflection of the dedication of our physicians, care teams, and staff who serve patients every day," said Mattson. "As I reflect on my 26 years at San Ysidro Health, I am reminded of the vision and determination of the seven mothers who founded our organization to ensure their children and community had access to compassionate care. Nearly 60 years later, that same commitment continues to guide our work. This recognition reflects the dedication of our team and the strength of partnerships like Blue Shield Promise that help us improve lives and create opportunities for people and families to reach their full potential."

"On behalf of SAY San Diego I am deeply honored to receive the Visionary Award," said Jessica Rathbun, senior program director of SAY San Diego. "This recognition reflects our commitment to listening to families, understanding the challenges they face, and working alongside trusted partners to remove barriers to care. Through our relationship with Blue Shield Promise, we are helping bring preventive health services closer to the communities we serve. We are grateful for this partnership and the opportunity to advance health equity and create healthier futures for children and families across San Diego."

"Every one of our honorees is making a meaningful difference in the lives of the people and families they serve," said Cerf. "They remind us that some of the most important work happening in our communities is often carried out quietly and consistently, one person and one family at a time. We are grateful to recognize leaders like Kevin Mattson and organizations like SAY San Diego whose dedication, compassion, and vision are creating lasting change throughout San Diego County. Their example inspires all of us to keep pushing forward together."

Blue Shield Promise Health Plan Leading the Way 2026 Honorees

Leading the Way Visionary Award

• Kevin Mattson, CEO, San Ysidro Health
• SAY San Diego

Leading the Way for Partnership Excellence

• Chefs de Cuisine Education Foundation, Inc.
• Coastal Roots Farm
• Feeding San Diego
• Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank
• Mama's Kitchen
• Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center
• Project New Village

Leading the Way for Distinguished Service

• Tabatha Lang, County of San Diego Behavioral Health Services
• Kimberly Work, County of San Diego Behavioral Health Services
• Fadra Whyte, D.M.D., M.P.H., County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency

Leading the Way for Workforce Impact

• The Arc of San Diego
• Family Health Centers of San Diego
• Nile Sisters Development Initiative
• San Diego Workforce Partnership
• Urban Corps of San Diego County

Leading the Way for Youth Engagement & Resiliency

• Boys and Girls Club of Greater San Diego
• Harmonium
• YMCA of San Diego

Leading the Way for Advancing Mental Health Access

• CRF Behavioral Healthcare
• Lifeline Community Services
• Interfaith Community Services
• McAlister Institute
• NAMI San Diego

Leading the Way for Creating Healthy Futures

• Gelen Del Rosario, M.D., Bridge Prenatal
• Arij Faksh, M.D., Bridge Prenatal
• County of San Diego Black Infant Health Program
• Neighborhood House Association Black Infant Health Program
• San Diego County Breast Feeding Coalition
• Women, Infants and Children Program
  • American Red Cross
  • San Ysidro Health, Member of Integrated Health Partners of Southern California
  • Scripps Health
  • SDSU Research Foundation
  • TrueCare, Member of Integrated Health Partners of Southern California

Leading the Way for Outstanding Community Outreach by a Provider

• Community Health Systems Fallbrook Family Health Center, Member of Integrated Health Partners of Southern California
• Margaret Deel, M.D.
• Herald Christian Health Center
• Imperial Beach Community Clinic Health Outreach Team, Member of Integrated Health Partners of Southern California

Leading the Way for Quality Healthcare

• Integrated Health Partners of Southern California – Standout Performance
• Family Health Centers of San Diego – Top Performer Overall – (Large-Size Group)
• Neighborhood Healthcare, Member of Integrated Health Partners of Southern California – Top Performer Overall (Medium-Size Group)
• Operation Samahan – Top Performer Overall - (Small-Size Group)
• Vista Community Clinic, Member of Integrated Health Partners of Southern California (Top Performer Children's Measures and Largest Percentage of Measures Meeting or Exceeding the 75^th or 90^th percentile)
• Community Care IPA (Most Improved Quality Performance by a Provider Group)

About Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan
Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan is a managed care organization, wholly owned by Blue Shield of California, offering Medi-Cal. It is led by healthcare professionals with a "members-first" philosophy and committed to building a quality network of providers and partnering with community organizations for more than 500,000 Medi-Cal members across Los Angeles and San Diego counties. It was rated 4 out of 5 in NCQA's Medicaid Health Plan Ratings for 2025. For more information about Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, please visit www.blueshieldca.com/promise. For more news about Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, please visit promisenews.blueshieldca.com. Or follow us on LinkedIn.

SOURCE Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan