WHA Honors Anne Tanner, Convenes Titans for Healthcare's Future

LONG BEACH, CA – May 01, 2026 – Women in Health Administration of Southern California (WHA) has announced that Anne Tanner, a veteran healthcare executive with nearly five decades of experience, will be honored as its 2026 Woman of the Year. The prestigious award will be presented at a gala aboard the iconic Queen Mary on June 5, 2026, an evening that will also feature a powerhouse panel of five of the region's most influential health system leaders discussing the future of healthcare.

The selection of Tanner celebrates a career defined by what WHA President Tricia Gray calls transformative leadership. “Anne Tanner represents the evolution of healthcare leadership: someone who can architect system-wide change while never losing sight of the individual leader who needs guidance,” Gray stated. “She doesn’t just open doors—she builds scaffolding so others can climb higher.”

A Legacy of Empowerment and Innovation

Anne Tanner's career is a blueprint for impactful leadership, marked by a dual focus on systemic excellence and personal mentorship. As the former Executive Director of Patient Care Services at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), now part of Rady Children’s Health, she was a key architect in developing high-performing teams. Her work overseeing acute care inpatient services, quality and safety programs, and nursing innovation earned her the Association of California Nurse Leaders (ACNL) “Excellence in Innovation Award” in 2016.

Beyond institutional achievements, Tanner has dedicated herself to nurturing the next generation. She is the founder of the LIFT Student Scholarship Program through the ACHE Southern California Chapter, which has raised over $40,000 to support emerging healthcare professionals. This commitment reflects a deeply held belief in multiplying success.

“True leadership is not measured by where we stand, but by how many we empower to stand with confidence beyond us—breaking barriers, seizing opportunities, and moving past the barriers they once thought were impossible,” Tanner said. “This recognition belongs to every woman who's ever doubted herself, then found her voice. It belongs to the mentors who invested in me, and to the emerging leaders I've had the privilege to champion. WHA's mission isn't just about celebrating success—it's about multiplying it.”

Her influence extends across the industry, with past service on the boards of ACNL and the Hospital Association of Southern California (HASC), and as a Past President and current Advisor for the ACHE of Southern California.

Charting the Course: A Convergence of Visionaries

A highlight of the gala will be a candid conversation with five executives whose work is shaping the regional and national healthcare landscape. The panel promises a multifaceted look at the challenges and opportunities in leadership, equity, and innovation.

The discussion will be moderated and feature:

• Anne M. McCune, MBA, JD, CEO of the Carol Emmott Foundation, a national nonprofit dedicated to accelerating gender parity in healthcare leadership. Her perspective is shaped by senior roles at top academic medical centers and consulting firms like Accenture and KPMG.
• Melanie Fontes Rainer, MEd, JD, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer at L.A. Care Health Plan. Leading strategy for the nation’s largest public health plan, she brings deep expertise in policy, civil rights, and serving vulnerable populations.
• Kimberly C. Long, DHA, MSN, FNP, RN, FACHE, CEO of the Association of California Nurse Leaders. A retired hospital CEO and expert in nursing practice, she will offer critical insights on workforce development and the evolving role of nurse leaders.
• Bonnie Panlasigui, MHA, FACHE, Senior Vice President at Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara and an ACHE Governor. She oversees a massive integrated health system and is a vocal advocate for advancing women and minorities into C-suite roles.
• Nate Shinagawa, MHA, FACHE, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at UCI Health. He brings an operational and academic medical center perspective, overseeing a six-hospital enterprise at the forefront of clinical research and innovation.

Addressing Southern California's Healthcare Crossroads

The panel convenes at a critical time for Southern California's healthcare sector, which is grappling with profound structural shifts. The region faces a severe workforce shortage, with projections indicating the state’s nursing gap may not close until 2026 and a third of its doctors and nurses currently over the age of 55. This has intensified the need for innovative leadership that can redesign care delivery and combat burnout.

Simultaneously, the push for health equity has become a central strategic priority. Organizations like L.A. Care and Kaiser Permanente are actively collecting data on social determinants of health to close care gaps, while the underrepresentation of people of color in the clinical workforce remains a persistent challenge. The panel's focus on equity reflects a region-wide imperative to build a system that serves all communities.

This challenging environment is also a hotbed of innovation. Southern California has become a hub for digital health, with widespread adoption of telemedicine and pioneering work in artificial intelligence and 3D printing at institutions like UCI Health. The dialogue among the panelists will explore how leaders can harness this wave of innovation to solve long-standing problems of access, cost, and quality.

More Than an Award: Investing in a Leadership Pipeline

Founded in 1981, Women in Health Administration of Southern California has grown into a vital professional association with over 200 members. As an affiliate of the American College of Healthcare Executives, WHA provides a crucial support system for women navigating the complexities of the industry through education, networking, and mentorship.

The Woman of the Year Gala is the organization’s premier event, but its purpose extends far beyond celebration. Every sponsorship and ticket sold directly funds WHA’s scholarship and professional development programs, including the Gail Margolis Professional Development Scholarship and the Graduate Student Scholarship for emerging healthcare executives. This model transforms an evening of recognition into a direct investment in the industry's future, creating the very leadership pipeline that trailblazers like Anne Tanner have championed throughout their careers.

The event on June 5 promises to be a unique confluence of honoring a remarkable legacy and actively shaping the one to come. By bringing together established and emerging leaders, WHA is not just celebrating history but fostering the connections and insights that will define the future of healthcare in Southern California and beyond.