Community

2024 Pillars of Excellence Award Winners

See the extraordinary work done by the 2024 Pillars of Excellence Award winners under the Community Pillar.

Individual

Dr. Zachary Shinar, Sharp Memorial Hospital

Dr. Shinar has made remarkable contributions to local and global communities. Through his humanitarian work with Mexican Medical Aid and refugees around the globe, he has provided essential health care and social benefits to vulnerable populations. He shares his cutting-edge knowledge about the life-saving breakthroughs of ECMO use in the emergency department locally and internationally. He also hosts the Emerge Conference to inspire the next generation of medical professionals.

Team

Out of the Fog — A Continuum of Care, Sharp Grossmont Hospital

Unsatisfied with the belief that nothing could be done for “chemo brain,” this team created a program to address quality of life for these patients.

Over eight workshops, oncology social workers and speech language pathologists help patients identify cognitive deficits, learn new skills and build upon their cognitive strengths. Program graduates report a greater sense of control and improved relationships, and a decrease in isolation, stress and anxiety.

Department

Intensive Care Unit, Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center

To increase awareness of organ donation, this department regularly shared case outcomes and reviewed timelines for referrals. Team members received training on the donation process, including best practices for caring for patients and their loved ones.

Overall, their donation referral rates greatly improved and they had zero missed referrals with potential — meaning every possible opportunity to save or improve lives through organ donation was maximized.