LANCASTER – The Association of California Healthcare Districts (ACHD) recently announced the winners of its annual awards program at the 2013 ACHD Annual Meeting in San Diego. The awards acknowledge exceptional healthcare district members for their continuous commitment to excellence in healthcare and outstanding dedication to the communities they serve.
The prestigious Trustee of the Year award was presented to Antelope Valley Healthcare District Director Berna Mayer in honor of her passion and drive for improving community healthcare and the positive impact she has made throughout the Antelope Valley community.
“We extend our congratulations to Ms. Mayer for receiving the ACHD Trustee of the Year 2013 Award,” said Don Parazo, M.D., fellow Antelope Valley Healthcare District Director who was elected as the Chairman of the ACHD Board of Directors at the annual meeting. “It is an honor that ACHD, which represents over 70 healthcare districts in California, recognizes her great work as well as the accomplishments of the Antelope Valley Healthcare District over the past several years.”
Berna Mayer was elected to the Antelope Valley Healthcare District Board of Directors in 2004 and re-elected in 2008 and 2012. When she was first elected, the District was financially unstable and heading towards bankruptcy. Under her leadership and support, the organization was able to return to and sustain financial health, retain top healthcare service providers, upgrade its hospital facilities, and add several new programs and services to meet the needs of the over 400,000 residents of the Antelope Valley.
“I am deeply honored to accept this award from the Association of California Healthcare Districts,” said Mayer. “If not for our former Antelope Valley Hospital CEO Edward Mirzabegian, I would not be receiving it. His guidance on being an excellent board member and the importance of oversight was invaluable. Of course, I also share this recognition with our District residents who entrusted me with the honor of serving them.”
“Berna is very well-deserving of this recognition. She is a known supporter of many local non-profits and has shown her passion for people and community service selflessly,” said Pamela Hinson, Interim Administrator of Antelope Valley Hospital. “She is a hands-on, respected community leader, and a champion of healthcare who always strives to serve the needs of all.”
(Information via press release from Antelope Valley Hospital.)
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Stinger says
It’s nice of you to run a story recognizing this, but her name is not ‘Bernie,’ it is, “Berna.”
The AV Times Staff says
VERY GOOD catch! Flagrant error corrected. Thank you for that!