HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA), one of the nation’s foremost providers of healthcare services, honored a distinguished group of employees, physicians, and volunteers at its 2025 HCA Healthcare Awards of Distinction ceremony held in Nashville, Tennessee. These annual awards represent the organization’s highest accolades, recognizing extraordinary individuals who embody HCA Healthcare’s enduring values of service, compassion, integrity, and excellence.
The HCA Healthcare Awards of Distinction consist of two prestigious honors: the Frist Humanitarian Award and the Excellence in Nursing Award. Together, these awards celebrate individuals whose lives and work reflect a commitment not only to high-quality healthcare, but to the broader mission of improving lives through community involvement, mentoring, and compassionate care.
The HCA Healthcare Awards of Distinction celebrate the remarkable individuals whose work and lives reflect the patient-centered and humanitarian values of HCA Healthcare,” said Sam Hazen, Chief Executive Officer of HCA Healthcare. “It takes all of us to fulfill our collective responsibility to show up for our patients and to live out our organization’s commitment to supporting our communities and one another.
Honoring Humanitarian Excellence: The 2025 Frist Humanitarian Award Recipients
Named after Dr. Thomas F. Frist, Sr. (1910–1998), co-founder of HCA Healthcare and a lifelong humanitarian, the Frist Humanitarian Award was established in 1971 to recognize individuals who demonstrate an unwavering dedication to serving others. Each year, the award is presented in three categories: one employee, one physician, and one volunteer.
Recipients in each category are recognized for going above and beyond their roles to make a meaningful difference in their communities. The award comes with a significant charitable component—employee and volunteer recipients each receive a $10,000 personal gift and an additional $10,000 donation to a charity of their choice. The physician recipient is awarded a $20,000 donation to a charitable organization of their choosing.
This year’s honorees are:
- Rachel Cantarero – HCA Houston Rehabilitation Hospital Southeast, Pasadena, Texas (Employee Category)
- Dr. Mohammad A. Subeh – Good Samaritan Hospital, San Jose, California (Physician Category)
- Kathy Ward – West Valley Medical Center, Caldwell, Idaho (Volunteer Category)
The Frist Humanitarian Award honors our colleagues, physicians and volunteers who show up with absolute honesty, integrity and fairness to serve those in need with compassion and kindness,” said Jen Berres, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of HCA Healthcare. “This year’s recipients inspire us all through their impact on their communities and the world.
Rachel Cantarero: A Lifetime of Service and Leadership
For 47 years, Rachel Cantarero has been a pillar of dedication at HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast. Serving in a variety of human resources roles, she has been instrumental in shaping workplace culture and supporting fellow colleagues across the organization. But her service doesn’t stop when the workday ends.
Rachel is deeply involved in community service, both locally and internationally. In the past year alone, she dedicated over 277 hours to volunteering with various organizations, including the San Vincente de Paul Children’s Home and Orphanage, where she has been a committed volunteer since 2019. Her involvement has included hands-on visits and the donation of more than 20 boxes of clothing, school supplies, backpacks, and other essentials to support the children’s needs. Through her tireless commitment, she has become a symbol of servant leadership within and beyond the healthcare system.
Dr. Mohammad A. Subeh: Compassion Without Borders
An emergency physician at Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose, California, Dr. Mohammad A. Subeh is widely admired for his compassionate care both in the ER and in some of the world’s most devastated regions. He regularly volunteers in crisis zones around the globe, delivering lifesaving medical aid to trauma victims, children, and displaced families.
His humanitarian efforts extend beyond borders, providing a lifeline to individuals in need of urgent care regardless of geographic or political barriers. Whether in the heart of California or a remote international crisis zone, Dr. Subeh offers his skills, courage, and compassion unconditionally. His work exemplifies the global spirit of the Frist Humanitarian Award.
Kathy Ward: A Champion for Breast Cancer Patients
After a 30-year career in the medical field, Kathy Ward began a second chapter of service by volunteering at West Valley Medical Center. For the past six years, she has dedicated her time and energy to supporting breast cancer patients through the Pink Angel Project, a hospital auxiliary initiative that she leads. Through this project, she assembles and delivers comfort bags to women undergoing treatment, providing not just physical support, but emotional comfort as well.
Her commitment to service has become a family affair—her passion inspired her husband to volunteer alongside her. Kathy is also a dedicated supporter of the Caldwell Night Rodeo, which raises funds for community causes including the Power of Pink mammogram program. Her warmth, determination, and advocacy continue to create a ripple effect of kindness throughout her community.
Elevating the Profession: Excellence in Nursing Award Recipients
Established in 2014, the HCA Healthcare Excellence in Nursing Award honors exceptional nurses who consistently demonstrate clinical expertise, mentorship, and an unwavering commitment to compassionate care. The award is presented in two categories: Professional Mentoring and Compassionate Care.
Winners receive a $10,000 personal award and a $10,000 donation to a charity of their choice—recognizing both their personal achievements and their broader impact.
This year’s awardees are:
- Susan Roberts-Bradley, MHA, BSN, RN, NE-BC – St. David’s South Austin Medical Center, Austin, Texas (Professional Mentoring)
- Max Fransen, BSN, RN – Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, Idaho Falls, Idaho (Compassionate Care)
Susan Roberts-Bradley: The “RNR Whisperer” and Mentor to Many
Known affectionately by her colleagues as the “RNR Whisperer,” Susan Roberts-Bradley plays a central role in nurturing the next generation of nurses at St. David’s South Austin Medical Center. As a leader of both the New Grad RN Council and co-leader of the Nurse Extern Council, she has developed robust programs designed to support, educate, and empower nursing staff at every level.
Her mentorship is hands-on, compassionate, and deeply personal. Whether coaching a new graduate or providing guidance to a seasoned nurse exploring leadership opportunities, Susan fosters a sense of belonging and confidence. Beyond the hospital, she engages in community outreach, speaks at local schools, and participates in recruitment events to encourage future healthcare professionals to pursue careers in nursing.
Max Fransen: Embodying Compassion in Critical Care
Starting his career in the Intensive Care Unit at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, Max Fransen quickly became known for his ability to provide empathetic, thoughtful care in even the most challenging circumstances. Now working in the Emergency Department, he continues to meet patients and families at some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
Fransen’s colleagues praise him for his quiet strength, emotional intelligence, and unwavering presence. He is a caregiver who brings comfort through simple, human acts—holding a hand, listening without judgment, offering hope. His dedication to treating patients with dignity, regardless of the chaos around him, has made him not only an exceptional nurse, but a role model for others in the profession.
The nurses we honor today are exceptional examples of the compassionate, people-first approach to care we strive to provide every day,” said Sammie Mosier, DHA, MA, BSN, NE-BC, Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive at HCA Healthcare. “Our nurses at HCA Healthcare truly demonstrate the value of caring for each other like family, and we thank you.
A Legacy of Excellence and Compassion
The 2025 HCA Healthcare Awards of Distinction shine a light on the powerful impact that individuals can make—whether through decades of service, acts of global humanitarianism, mentorship, or simply being present in times of crisis. Each recipient serves as a reminder of HCA Healthcare’s foundational belief: that compassion, integrity, and commitment to others are at the heart of exceptional healthcare.
As HCA Healthcare continues its mission of delivering high-quality care across the communities it serves, the stories of these award winners serve as an inspiration to all. Their dedication is a powerful testament to what it means to truly live out the values of a healthcare organization committed not just to treatment, but to humanity.
