Our People Make Cedars-Sinai Extraordinary
We’ve always known they were heroes. Now hear it in their own words. Discover their passion, purpose, and resilience.
Celebrating a few of the many Healthcare Heroes at Cedars-Sinai
Healthcare Heroes Week is a time for all of us at Cedars-Sinai to recognize the contributions each of us make that truly make a difference. This year, we acknowledged their unmatched resilience, dedication, hard work, passion and skill. We’re proud to say that each one of these heroes calls Cedars-Sinai home. Hear directly from them about what this recognition – and being part of Cedars-Sinai - means to them.
Paiton Harris, Patient Service Representative
“To me, being a Healthcare Hero means showing up every day with purpose even when no one’s watching.”
Maru Pomerantz-Parker, a Senior Administrative Assistant and Spanish Interpreter
“I helped a heart transplant patient getting a new heart by assisting with Spanish interpretation for over 6 months till finally got a New heart. It was very satisfying.”
Ali Sterite, Physical Therapist II
“It inspires me to keep growing in my field and giving my best to every patient I serve. Helping people heal, adapt, and find hope is truly meaningful, and I’m grateful to be acknowledged for doing what I love.”
Pradeep Upadhyaya, Respiratory Therapist IV
“This isn’t just about individual effort – it’s about contributing to a collective vision for excellence. It reflects the importance of the often unnoticed, behind-the-scenes diagnostic work that’s essential to patient care.”
Vanessa Hernandez, NPD-P
"A healthcare hero is a healthcare provider who helps others in the face of obstacles and works continuously their whole shift to help a patient they recently met in hopes they improve their health."
Alicia Hammonds-Reed, Manager, Office of Health Equity
"Being named a Healthcare Hero is deeply meaningful because it affirms that even from a systems-level vantage point, we can make a difference—and that’s exactly why I got into this work."
Herson Portillo, Assistant Nurse Manager
"Being named a Healthcare Hero is an incredible honor that fills me with pride and gratitude. It serves as a powerful reminder that the work we do every day, no matter how routine it may seem, is truly meaningful. This recognition isn't just about me; it represents the entire team of nurses, leaders, and interdisciplinary partners who make our work possible."
Christopher Poquiz, Outpatient Orthopedic Physical Therapist
"It symbolizes the high standard of care that I provide to our patients. It also reminds me to highlight my patients’ and colleagues’ own superpowers. I truly believe we all have characteristics that shape our practice for the better."
Rabin Kazemi, Respiratory Care Practitioner IV and member of the Pediatric Critical Transport Team & Special Pathogen Response Team,
“Being named a Healthcare Hero is at once humbling and a deeply meaningful honor. This recognition is as much about me as it is about the incredible team I work with every single day.”
Denna R. Simpkins, a Respiratory Therapist in the NICU and PICU
“I don't see myself as a hero, just someone committed to being true to myself both inside and outside of work. Balancing these aspects can be challenging, especially in today's world, and my faith is my daily starting point.”
Linda Okeke-Omeligbo, Nursing Communication Tech
“Being a Healthcare Hero brings so much joy and happiness to me. This is something I never expected. I’m so Grateful. I love working for Cedars-Sinai; there is always room to grow. It's home away from home.”
Jerzl Awit Quezada, Occupational Therapist
“Working in healthcare means having a little extra of everything: empathy, patience, kindness, and energy without counting the cost. Sometimes, what patients need most isn’t a solution right away, but someone who’s willing to listen and truly understand their situation.”
Wendy Shuster, RN
"I take great pride in guiding patients through difficult times, offering not only clinical support but also hope and reassurance. Being a steady anchor for them and their families during life’s most challenging moments is both a responsibility and a profound honor."
Teri Benson, Clinical Social Worker
"Being named a Healthcare Hero is a profound honor—one that reflects not just my role as an inpatient clinical social worker, but the compassion, resilience, and unwavering commitment I’ve shown to my patients, their families and my colleagues throughout my short time here at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center."
Guiliano Lepe, Director, MN Operations
The opportunity to interact with patients and contribute positively to their healthcare experience is incredibly rewarding. Every day presents new challenges that require innovative solutions and reinforce the importance of working together to achieve our goals.
Aryn Henige, Surgical PA
"Being named a Healthcare Hero is an honor that recognizes dedication, compassion, and the commitment to care for others, even in the toughest moments. It represents not just personal effort, but the collective strength of those who serve and heal every day."
Eric Prudhomme, RN
"Now, as I step into nursing, I’m especially proud of the level of compassion and clinical insight I bring to the bedside. Knowing that patients and colleagues can rely on me—especially when it counts the most—is what drives me."
Jolene Munoz, Respiratory Therapist IV
"As a respiratory therapist, every day is an opportunity to make a difference in someone's life, and being recognized in this way feels like a celebration of that journey."
Mijin Kim, Respiratory Therapist IV
"Cedars-Sinai offers a lot of resources such as education, research, and new advanced device that help patient who need high level of care. Most of all, variety of employees from different cultural aspect who can grow together."
Chunrong Chen, Respiratory Therapist III
"To me, this recognition represents not just my individual efforts, but the dedication of all respiratory therapists and frontline staff who show up every day to care for others with compassion, resilience, and teamwork."
Mary Justina Julian, Clinical Partner
"We are heroes not just because of our profession. But because of the commitment, loyalty, responsibility duty and honor with which we approach our jobs!"
Mischa Harris, Associate Director, Imaging, Vascular Lab
"The organization truly invests in its people, providing opportunities for development and creating spaces where everyone can bring their full selves to work. It’s a place where excellence is expected, and support is given—and that’s a rare and beautiful balance."
Join a team of heroes
If you’re looking for healthcare career where your work will be recognized, your skills will be challenged, your team will support you every step of the way, and your career will find new opportunities to grow, consider joining the heroes at Cedars-Sinai.