Kaiser Permanente Moreno Valley Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente Riverside Medical Center have each earned Magnet with Distinction™ designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the nation's highest honor for nursing excellence.
The Magnet Recognition Program recognizes health care organizations for superior patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in nursing practice, reflecting professionalism, collaboration and excellence in patient care. Magnet with Distinction is awarded to hospitals that exceed the rigorous standards required for Magnet designation, demonstrating an even higher level of achievement. This distinction recognizes top-tier organizations that achieve the highest caliber of excellence while addressing emerging challenges in health care.
“Magnet with Distinction recognizes organizations that demonstrate the highest standards of nursing excellence, clinical quality and patient care,” said Michelle Gaskill-Hames, president, Kaiser Permanente Southern California and Hawaii, Health Plan and Hospitals. “For both Moreno Valley Medical Center and Riverside Medical Center to earn this distinction independently reflects the extraordinary expertise, collaboration and commitment of our nurses and interdisciplinary care teams. We are proud to celebrate this achievement as our 11th and 12th Magnet-designated hospitals in Southern California, further strengthening our culture of excellence across the region.”
Moreno Valley and Riverside Medical Centers are Kaiser Permanente’s two hospitals serving Riverside County. While aligned under shared operational leadership, each has its own chief nurse executive and nursing teams, and both completed the Magnet process independently. Each hospital separately earned the Magnet with Distinction credential based on its own performance and outcomes. The recognition was awarded following a comprehensive, rigorous and lengthy review at each facility that included extensive written documentation, comparison of patient outcomes to national benchmarks and multiday on-site visits by ANCC.
“Earning this honor gives our communities confidence in the care that they receive every day, and it means so much because it reflects our nurses’ dedication to excellence,” said Sammy Totah, senior vice president and area manager for Kaiser Permanente Riverside County. “I couldn’t be more proud of our nurses and care teams, who bring compassion, expertise and commitment to every patient they serve. This recognition speaks to the consistent, high-quality care we strive to deliver – making it easier for our members and communities to receive exceptional care close to home, where and when they need it.”
Both Moreno Valley Medical Center and Riverside Medical Center now join an elite group of only 10.5% of hospitals in the U.S. that are designated Magnet. Magnet is the gold standard for nursing excellence and is an important indicator of quality for patients and families evaluating health care organizations. According to ANCC, Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report and The Leapfrog Group's Hospital Survey in recognizing Magnet status as a key indicator of organizational excellence.
“Our nurses bring exceptional expertise to each patient they serve, and we are deeply inspired by the standard of care they deliver every day,” said Renee Fininis, chief nurse executive at Kaiser Permanente Moreno Valley Center. “This reflects a strong culture of clinical excellence and innovation, and it continues to elevate the experience of care we deliver.”
“We are enormously proud of our nurses and the expertise and accountability they bring to every patient,” said Jill McCormick, chief nurse at Kaiser Permanente Riverside Medical Center. “Achieving Magnet with Distinction reflects our focus on high-quality clinical care, disciplined practice and the measurable difference our teams make in advancing health outcomes.”
Research shows that Magnet-recognized health organizations demonstrate high patient satisfaction, better patient outcomes, higher job satisfaction among nurses and lower nurse turnover.
Kaiser Permanente Riverside County has served a vast region for decades, covering one of the largest geographic footprints in the state. Anchored by two hospitals and 14 medical office buildings — with Menifee opening next year — the organization serves more than half a million members across multiple cities and the Coachella Valley. Integrated care is delivered by a dedicated team of more than 1,000 physicians, 3,300 nurses and nearly 5,000 employees committed to serving the county's diverse communities.
Moreno Valley Medical Center has received several accolades for its excellence in patient care, including Newsweek’s 2025 America’s Best Maternity Hospitals. Riverside Medical Center also earned Newsweek’s 2025 Best Maternity Hospitals, alongside U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals for Maternity Care in 2026.