Adventist Health White Memorial Earns ANCC Magnet Designation

Prestigious recognition places hospital among nation’s leaders in nursing excellence and quality patient care

Adventist Health White Memorial has earned its first Magnet® designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the highest national honor for nursing excellence and a widely recognized benchmark for quality patient care.

ANCC announced the designation August 19 during a virtual call with White Memorial nurses and leaders. Only 10.6% of U.S. hospitals—649 of 6,100—currently hold Magnet designation. The distinction recognizes organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing leadership, professional practice, innovation and measurable patient outcomes.

“This historic recognition belongs to our nurses and every team member who supports them in caring for our patients,” said Daniel Fontoura, president of Adventist Health White Memorial. “I am deeply grateful for their skill, compassion and dedication—and incredibly proud of what this achievement says to our community: They can trust White Memorial to deliver excellent, patient-centered care.”

Leila Ibushi-Thompson, MS, RN, NEA-BC, operations and patient care executive, led White Memorial’s multiyear Magnet journey and oversaw every phase of preparation, documentation and appraisal.

“Magnet designation requires years of preparation, but ultimately it is earned through the excellence our nurses demonstrate every day,” Ibushi-Thompson said. “Our nurses embrace shared decision-making, accountability, evidence-based practice and continuous improvement — not simply to meet high standards, but to advance nursing practice and improve outcomes for every patient we serve.”

ANCC appraisers highlighted White Memorial’s highly skilled, culturally responsive nursing workforce and strong professional-governance structure, which empowers nurses to shape clinical practice and improvement. They also recognized the transformation of the nursing culture at Adventist Health White Memorial Montebello.

White Memorial received three exemplars — findings demonstrating performance above Magnet standards. Across every eligible inpatient unit, the hospital outperformed national benchmarks for catheter-associated urinary tract infections and central line-associated bloodstream infections during most of eight consecutive quarters. Patient-experience scores related to pain also exceeded national benchmarks across every eligible ambulatory care setting during most of the same period.

White Memorial is the second Adventist Health hospital to earn Magnet designation, following Adventist Health Glendale in 2023. Both hospitals are part of the Adventist Health Southern California Network, led by president Alice Issai.