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SAN ANTONIO PROVIDER Award


The PROVIDER Award is San Antonio Regional Hospital's recognition program honoring extraordinary members of the medical staff who demonstrate an unwavering commitment to provide compassionate patient care through exceptional clinical expertise.

 

Nomination Process:

If you would like to nominate an exceptional member of the medical staff for the PROVIDER Award, please submit your nomination digitally by clicking here to our online form. When you are finished, press "submit" and it will be emailed to the selection committee. If you would like to submit a paper form, click on the link below to download the PDF form. Please submit all nominations by the 15th of each month to be considered for the current month's award.

Mail or drop off paper form submissions to:

San Antonio Regional Hospital
Attn: Human Resources Department
999 San Bernardino Road, 
Upland, California 91786 

To download the .pdf version of the PROVIDER Award nomination form, please click here.

If you need Adobe Acrobat to read the file, click here.

If you are looking for the LEAF Award, please click here.

If you are looking for the DAISY Award for an RN, please click here.

 


Provider Award - 1st Quarter 2026

Thomas Rauser, MD, Emergency Medicine
PROVIDER AWARD – 1ST QUARTER 2026

During a recent high census in the Emergency Department, Dr. Rauser displayed extraordinary leadership.  With over 80 patients waiting in the lobby, Dr. Rauser recognized the strain on staff and the risk to patient flow and safety.  He acted without prompting, demonstrating calm decisiveness and practical problem solving, coordinating with nursing and triage staff to prioritize care.  His willingness to step into a high-pressure clinical environment and perform hands-on tasks outside of his routine responsibilities helped relieve the pressure on the rest of the team, shortened wait times for patients, and modeled collaborative behavior under stress.  This recent event highlights Dr. Rauser’s leadership through service.  He led by example, prioritized patient needs, and strengthened interdisciplinary teamwork when it mattered most. 

Congratulations, Dr. Rauser!


 

 


Provider Award - 3rd Quarter 2025

Robert Castro DO

Robert Castro, DO

Cardiology

Dr. Castro was honored with our provider award after caring for a patient in our SICU for nearly a month. The patient’s daughter wrote, “At the beginning of his stay, my brother and I truly thought my father would not make it. Dr. Castro showed empathy, educated me on the reasons for decisions, and provided comfort. Dr. Castro showed himself to be a pillar of the hospital’s values, exhibiting compassion, respect, integrity, and excellence in care. I’m grateful for the role Dr. Castro played in my father’s recovery and wanted to make sure he is recognized for the amazing provider I believe he is.” Congratulations, Dr. Castro.

 

 


2nd Quarter 2025 Provider Award Recipient

Erin N. Merchant, PA-C
Emergency Department

Erin is a physician assistant in the Emergency Department. She was nominated for our Provider Award by a patient who was in the ED experiencing mental health struggles. The patient wrote, “Erin treated my anxiety and tears with sincere compassion. A mental state is not something you can see. It is not a broken bone, but Erin showed empathy, concern, and made me feel like I mattered. Thank you for your caring heart which saw something others do not. Your compassion to not only see but feel what your patient is experiencing is a true blessing.”

Congratulations, Erin! Thank you for truly seeing what are our patients are going through and always treating them with compassion and understanding.

 


1st Quarter 2025 Provider Award Recipient

Tanya West, FNP-C, Ontario Urgent Care
Provider Award – 1st Quarter 2025

Tanya serves as a nurse practitioner in our Ontario Urgent Care location.  She was nominated by a grateful family who brought their daughter to Ontario Urgent Care with an earache.  While evaluating the patient, Tanya detected a heart murmur.  After the family followed up with their primary care physician, they were referred to a pediatric cardiologist who diagnosed the little girl with a hole in her heart that required open heart surgery.  “We are so grateful this was detected, because it could have been catastrophic for our daughter later in life.  Tanya’s extra time, patience, and care is much appreciated and likely saved us from a much more serious situation in the future.  We thank Tanya for her excellent care!”  Congratulations, Tanya!

 


4th Quarter 2024 Provider Award Recipient

Edward Abdullah, MD
Cardiology

Dr. Abdullah’s attention to detail and communication skills are the best! Regardless of how busy he is, or how complex a patient situation may be, Dr. Abdullah leaves nothing uncovered. He is quick to call a patient’s family to discuss discharge needs so our case managers can prepare in advance. He lends as much time as needed, leading these conversations with kindness and compassion, while consistently making sure the team knows the outcome of these conversations. Dr. Abdullah sets the gold standard for thorough and detailed patient notes, something truly appreciated by care team and fellow physicians. Congratulations, Dr. Abdullah!


3rd Quarter 2024 Provider Award Recipient

Nima Naimi, DO
Nephrology/Internal Medicine

Dr. Naimi has been a member of San Antonio’s medical staff since 2014. He received our most recent provider award after being nominated by a patient who wrote, “Dr. Naimi took great care to hear my concerns and explain the treatments and plans. He always did it with a good attitude and never rushed while going over my plan. He made me feel like he cared about my health and recovery.” Dr. Naimi is a wonderful example of a patient-centered physician who treats those he cares for with compassion, integrity, and respect. Among his many talents, Dr. Naimi happens to speak four languages: English, Farsi, French, and Spanish!


1st Quarter 2024 Provider Award Recipient

Delia M. Nassman, DO
Emergency Medicine

Dr. Nassman’s kindness and compassion shine through in the outstanding care she provides to her patients. She goes above and beyond to explain the patient’s condition and situation. She works especially well with our pediatric patients and their families. Dr. Nassman is a great mentor to team members working alongside her. She makes time for ED staff who are interested in learning, and explains without hesitation about procedures and conditions. Dr. Nassman is an inspiration and inspires those around her to be better caregivers to our San Antonio patients. Congratulations, Dr. Nassman!

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