Cástulo de la Rocha, President and CEO of AltaMed Health Services Corporation, is honored for his extraordinary leadership in expanding access to quality care across Southern California. Over four decades, he has transformed AltaMed from a single community clinic into California’s largest Federally Qualified Health Center, serving communities with dignity, equity, and compassion.

HBO’s The Pitt, created by R. Scott Gemmill, is recognized for its unflinching, emotionally resonant portrayal of the challenges facing frontline medical professionals in a post-pandemic world. By spotlighting the human toll of medicine, the series has brought national attention to the realities—and incredible resilience—of healthcare workers.

Dr. Ashraf Elsayegh, a pulmonologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center, turned personal tragedy into purpose following the Palisades wildfire that destroyed his home. In its aftermath, he opened a new clinic to treat patients suffering from fire-related respiratory illness, offering critical care and hope to an underserved community.

Undue Medical Debt is honored for eliminating over $250 million in medical debt for more than 134,000 Los Angeles County residents. Their pioneering work restores financial stability, challenges inequities in medical billing, and models a bold, systemic solution to medical debt in America.

Dr. Lisa H. Wong is recognized for her unwavering commitment to mental health equity in Los Angeles County. As a leader in the Department of Mental Health, she spearheads community campaigns and advocacy efforts that expand access, reduce stigma, and transform how mental health care is delivered across California.

The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health is celebrated for its groundbreaking work supporting student wellness centers across LAUSD. Through health equity programs and school-based interventions, the Trust ensures thousands of children receive critical health care that improves attendance, outcomes, and opportunity.