Turning everyday excellence into a prestigious nursing designation

When the long-awaited news arrived on April 23, nurses, leaders, and care team members across Kaiser Permanente South San Francisco Medical Center gathered — some smiling, some emotional, many simply proud. They were learning that the medical center had earned Magnet Recognition, which means the care delivered consistently goes beyond requirements for delivering meaningful, measurable impact.

Adding to the significance of the moment, South San Francisco Medical Center earned Magnet Recognition® with Distinction — an elite designation achieved by only 87 organizations globally and 9 hospitals in California, reflecting exceptional performance across multiple domains of nursing excellence.

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During the call announcing the designation, appraisers highlighted 17 exemplars.

Among them were the high volume of nurses with advanced degrees, innovative care improving outcomes for seniors experiencing delirium, strong performance on quality indicators across hospital and ambulatory settings, and the medical center’s outstanding commitment to giving back to the community.

For nurses at South San Francisco, Magnet was never just a designation to pursue.

“It became an opportunity to pause, reflect, and clearly articulate the excellence they bring to their practice every day,” said Tina Bray, DNP, MHA, RN, NEA-BC, chief operating officer and chief nurse executive for South San Francisco Medical Center. “They didn’t just talk about what they do — they showed how they think, how they collaborate, and how deeply they care about outcomes. That level of ownership and pride is what Magnet looks like in real life.”

Magnet Recognition, awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, is the highest national honor a hospital can receive for nursing excellence.

South San Francisco is the fourth Kaiser Permanente Northern California medical center to earn Magnet designation. The others are Vallejo, South Sacramento, and Santa Rosa. South Sacramento also has the recognition with distinction.

All Northern California medical centers are working toward a Magnet Recognition, with the anticipation of more centers being recognized in the next year or so.

Earning Magnet required clearly showing how exceptional care happens, day in and day out during an intensive 3-day site visit in February 2026.

“What made this special is that nothing was created for Magnet,” said Juan Ibanez, MSN, RN, CENP, NPD-BC, CNOR, South San Francisco’s Magnet Program director. “We documented what was already happening and why it mattered.”

Behind the documentation were nurses balancing demanding clinical schedules with reviewing narratives, gathering data, and validating outcomes. Unit-based councils examined shared governance decisions. Clinical nurses described practice changes that reduced harm, improved patient experience, and strengthened teamwork—while leaders intentionally stepped back so frontline voices could lead.

“This process was powered by nurses who were willing to tell their stories—with data, with examples, and with honesty,” Ibanez added.

During the site visit, appraisers heard directly from nurses across inpatient units, perioperative services, interventional radiology, and the emergency department. They listened to staff explain how decisions are made, how professional development is supported, and how nurses partner with physicians and interprofessional colleagues to continually improve care.

“Nurses spoke clearly about their impact, because they live it every day,” Ibanez said.

For Bray, Magnet recognition affirms years of listening to nurses and investing in structures that allow professional practice to evolve.

“Our nurses didn’t just meet standards, they shaped them,” she said. “They challenged themselves, supported one another, and stayed grounded in why this work matters — for our members, our patients, and our community.”