MADERA, CA – (March 4, 2026) – Valley Children’s Healthcare has been named one of Becker’s Healthcare’s 2026 Top Places to Work in Healthcare, marking the fifth time the organization has earned this national distinction. Becker’s recognized 165 healthcare organizations nationwide for excellence in workplace culture, employee engagement and organizational values.

“This recognition reflects something we work hard to protect every day – a culture where people feel valued, supported and connected to a shared purpose,” said Todd Suntrapak, President and CEO of Valley Children’s Healthcare. “When talented doctors and staff come together around a mission to serve children and families, it creates an environment where both our people and patients can thrive. Being named a Top Place to Work in Healthcare is a meaningful reflection of the dedication and heart our team brings to Valley Children’s every day.”

Becker’s Healthcare developed the 2026 list through nominations and editorial research, evaluating organizations on factors such as workplace culture, benefits, professional development, employee engagement and commitment to diversity and inclusion. Organizations do not pay for inclusion on the list.

Valley Children’s was recognized for its strong organizational values, deep community roots and culture shaped by more than 70 years of pediatric care. Becker’s also highlighted the organization’s consistently high engagement results  – including 88% of employees expressing pride in working at Valley Children’s  – along with robust benefits and a focus on education, equity and workforce development initiatives.

“Every achievement at Valley Children’s is made possible because of the incredible people who choose to work here,” said Kelly Beall, Valley Children’s senior vice president and chief people officer. “This recognition reflects the strength of our team and our culture – one built on care, collaboration and a shared mission to make a difference for kids and families every day.”

The recognition follows recent national praise for Valley Children’s in patient safety and quality, including continued recognition from organizations such as The Leapfrog Group and U.S. News & World Report.

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About Valley Children’s Healthcare
Valley Children’s Healthcare provides Central California’s only high-quality, comprehensive care exclusively for children, from before birth to young adulthood. Our network offers highly specialized medical and surgical services to care for children with conditions ranging from common to the highly complex at its 358-bed stand-alone children’s hospital. In addition, the Valley Children’s Healthcare network includes specialty care centers, pediatric primary care practices and women’s health services.

Our family-centered, pediatric services extend from a leading pediatric cancer and blood diseases center on the West Coast, and a pediatric heart center known for its expertise and pioneering treatments, to an 88-bed Regional Level IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), the highest-level referral center between Los Angeles and the Bay Area.

Valley Children’s was the first children’s hospital west of the Rockies to receive Magnet Nursing designation, the highest nursing benchmark in the world. In 2025, U.S. News and World Report named Valley Children’s one of the best children’s hospitals in the country in pediatric pulmonology. With more than 740 physicians and 4,000 staff, Valley Children’s delivers high-quality, comprehensive care to more than 1.3 million children from Kern County to the state capital and from the Central Coast to the Sierra. For more information, please visit www.valleychildrens.org 

About Becker’s Healthcare

Becker’s Healthcare is the go-to source for healthcare decision-makers and one of the fastest growing media platforms in the industry. Through print, digital and live event platforms, Becker’s Healthcare equips healthcare leaders with information and forums they need to learn, exchange ideas and further conversations about the most critical issues in American healthcare today.

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