San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital believes healing is possible in an environment where patients feel comfortable, heard and supported.

This year, the 79-bed acute care hospital in Banning received Inland Empire Health Plan’s 2026 Optimal Care Award, which recognizes a provider or entity that exemplifies world-class care and outcomes in preventive, chronic and hospital care.

“We are most proud that our team members always show up for our patients,” said Hospital Director of Risk Quality Anna Valdez. “Our mission is to restore health and relieve suffering, provide good quality patient care and strive for clinical excellence.”

Angela Brady, the facility’s chief nursing officer, describes the facility as a small, but mighty, operation. In addition to 24-hour emergency services, San Gorgonio offers care in behavioral health, cardiac rehabilitation and a Women’s Center which provides birthing, diagnostic and preventive care services.

Patients come from all over the region, but the majority are from the San Gorgonio Pass, which is home to communities like Calimesa, Beaumont and Banning. Like Valdez, many of the hospital’s own team members are residents and are dedicated to serving the area’s diverse care needs.

“IEHP’s mission is to ‘heal and inspire the human spirit’ which is closely aligned to our mission,” added Brady. “Together, we have improved outcomes, and this [Optimal Care] award truly belongs to the entire team. Thanks go to the SGMH team for their dedication to each other and the community we serve.”

Learn more about the Living the Mission Awards and IEHP’s Mission conference at https://missionconference.iehp.org.

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