For the sixth consecutive year, Camarena Health proudly gathered at Tesoro Viejo for our annual Aspire to Inspire Awards Dinner—an evening dedicated to recognizing the educators, mentors, and champions who make our Teaching Health Center mission possible.
What began as a celebration of outstanding preceptors has grown into a cherished tradition that reflects who we are as an organization. We believe that investing in future healthcare professionals strengthens not only our workforce, but the health of the communities we serve.
Over the past five years, Camarena Health has welcomed and mentored approximately 700 students across a wide range of healthcare disciplines. From medical, dental, behavioral health, and optometry students completing clinical rotations, to shadowing opportunities, teacher externships, and hands-on learning experiences, our teaching programs continue to create meaningful pathways for the next generation of healthcare providers.
None of this would be possible without the dedicated preceptors and staff members who generously share their knowledge, experience, and passion for patient care. Their willingness to invest in future healthcare professionals is what continues to make Camarena Health’s teaching programs thrive.
This year’s Aspire to Inspire Awards recognized individuals whose commitment to teaching has left a lasting impact on students throughout the past academic year.
Our 2026 honorees included:
- Excellence in Teaching Affiliate Award: Melissa Duerr, PA-C
- Preceptor of the Year Award: Dr. Wameng Yang
- Camarena Health HEART Award: Nickolas De Leon, PA-C
- Champion Award: Fatima Nunez de Jaimes, BSN, RN
- Recognition Award: Dr. Abhi Thakkar
- Recognition Award: Dr. Ramon Portales
Each recipient represents the very best of Camarena Health’s teaching culture—leading by example, encouraging growth, and helping students build the confidence and skills they will carry throughout their careers.
We are deeply grateful to this year’s honorees and to every preceptor who chooses to invest in the future of healthcare. Because of your dedication, Camarena Health continues to be recognized as a Teaching Health Center committed to developing compassionate, highly skilled providers who will care for our communities for generations to come.
As you browse through the photos from this year’s Aspire to Inspire Awards Dinner below, we invite you to join us in celebrating the educators, mentors, and leaders whose passion for teaching continues to inspire excellence across Camarena Health. Here’s to another year of growing future healthcare professionals—one student, one mentor, and one meaningful connection at a time.
