Nominations are being sought for the Jennifer Larson Healthcare Hero Award, which honors individuals in Stanislaus and Merced counties who contribute to healthcare out of genuine altruism and without seeking personal gain. 

The award was created and is sponsored by Legacy Health Endowment, a nonprofit based in Turlock, whose mission is to improve the health and healthcare of people living within 19 select zip codes in the two counties. 

Larson was the first chairwoman of the Legacy Health Endowment board of directors, which was formed in 2014 after the sale of Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock. Before joining the LHE board, she served on the Emanuel Medical Center board for nearly two decades, including 11 years as its chairwoman. 

“Jennifer has tirelessly championed LHE's mission to pioneer and fund healthcare solutions,” said Jeffrey Lewis, LHE’s president and CEO. “She recognized the vital importance of equitable healthcare access, especially in rural areas like those in Merced and Stanislaus counties. Her personal experiences, including caring for an aging parent, fueled her passion to improve healthcare outcomes for all members of the community.” 

Lewis said the Healthcare Hero Award will recognize a “humble” individual who is “dedicated to creating healthcare solutions that benefit communities.” The honoree could be a volunteer, like Larson, or someone working in the healthcare or mental health industry. 

The award will be presented on Sept. 24.