We are pleased to introduce the first edition of our newsletter, created to keep our community informed, connected, and engaged with the work happening across our organization.

Each month, we will share updates from our full continuum of care, including home health, palliative care, residential care, and hospice services. You will also find highlights from Prudential MD, our Mobile Physician Associates program, which delivers comprehensive, on-site medical care designed to meet patients where they are. With a focus on geriatric care and ongoing management, this service brings high-quality healthcare directly to homes, senior living communities, assisted living facilities, hotels, and offices.

In addition, we will provide updates from our caregiving teams and share the latest developments from Nxt Level Care, along with insights into the work of the Prudential Health Care Foundation. Through the Foundation, we aim to expand opportunities for community support, share the impact of our initiatives, and highlight ways to get involved.

We will also include relevant updates from across the healthcare landscape to help keep you informed on key topics and trends each month.

Thank you for being part of our community.

We look forward to staying connected.

Sincerely,

Prudential Health Care Leadership Team

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The celebration drew a packed house filled with energy, anticipation, and enthusiastic applause as winners across multiple categories were revealed. Tables stood and cheered as the announcement for Best Senior Care/Living was made, reflecting the strong community support for local caregiving services and the families they serve.

“We extend our sincere thanks to the Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce for coordinating this celebration each year, and to OC Local Yorba Linda Neighbors Magazine and their digital media team for amplifying this event and sharing such meaningful stories with our community,” said Tyler McGee, NXT Level Care Coordinator. “I especially want to take a moment to thank the entire NXT Level Care family, our incredible caregivers, and, of course, our remarkable families and supporters. Their trust is what allows us to do this work with compassion and purpose.”

During the celebration, McGee was formally presented with a Certificate of Recognition from the County of Orange and a California Senate Certificate of Recognition from Senator Josh Newman in recognition of NXT Level Care being named Best Senior Care/Living in the 2025 Best of Yorba Linda Awards.

This year’s award serves as both a recognition of excellence and a reaffirmation of NXT Level Care’s mission to provide services guided by dignity, respect, and individualized support.

“Receiving this award for the second time shows our steadfast commitment to delivering compassionate caregiving services that truly go a step above home care,” McGee said. “We also congratulate all of the outstanding contenders recognized in this category. We are united by a shared purpose to support older adults and their families, and it is an honor to stand alongside fellow providers who care deeply about this work.”

NXT Level Care offers a continuum of in-home services that center on safety, comfort, and compassionate support. Whether care is needed for daily activities, companionship, or full-time assistance, the organization’s professional caregivers bring trusted, personalized care to every household they serve.

For more information or to schedule support for someone you love, contact (562) 261-0102 or visit nxtlevelcare.com.

Photo Captions:

BESTYORBA_1: NXT Level Care Coordinator Tyler McGee with the County of Orange and California Senate certificates presented in recognition of the organization’s Best Senior Care/Living honor in the 2025 Best of Yorba Linda Awards.

BESTYORBA_2: NXT Level Care team at the Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce Best of Yorba Linda Awards on Dec. 9, celebrating the organization’s 2025 Best Senior Care/Living recognition.

The highlight of the day was honoring Irene Barrazza, Director of Patient Care Services, whose story of strength and perseverance continues to inspire her colleagues and the broader Prudential Health Care community. In 2013, a routine mammogram revealed stage 3 breast cancer, only months after she lost her aunt to the same illness. Barrazza faced six months of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, and twelve weeks of radiation, followed by years of recovery and wound care. Through every challenge, she remained steadfast in her faith and commitment to healing.

Twelve years later, Barrazza continues to approach each follow-up visit with gratitude and determination. “I will do whatever it takes to stay cancer free,” Barrazza said. “I have a lot of living to do, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep winning.”

Her journey is a powerful reminder of resilience, faith, and the strength found in community.

“In celebrating Irene’s story, we also honor every patient, caregiver, and survivor whose courage lights the way for others,” the Prudential Health Care leadership team said in a statement. “Her example reflects the heart of our mission to provide care rooted in compassion, dignity, and hope.”

CERRITOS, CA — Prudential Hospice is inviting individuals with a heart for service to join its volunteer program and provide meaningful support to patients and families during life’s most tender and vulnerable moments. Volunteers contribute in a variety of ways, offering companionship and non-medical support that enhances the quality of care patients receive at the end of life.

These volunteers offer more than assistance. Their presence brings a calming and compassionate human touch that complements clinical care and uplifts the emotional well-being of both patients and loved ones. Whether it is reading a book aloud, preparing a light meal, or simply sitting in quiet companionship, every act of kindness matters.

“Volunteers are often the heart of hospice care,” said Susanne Martinez, Volunteer Coordinator at Prudential Hospice. “Their presence brings comfort, connection, and dignity at a time when patients and families need it most. A simple gesture, like a smile or a shared moment of stillness, can become a lasting memory.”

Prudential Hospice offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities, including:

• Visiting patients in their homes to offer companionship

• Reading aloud, writing letters, or assisting with memory-keeping

• Sharing music, hobbies, or conversation

• Supporting families with light errands or meal preparation

• Caring for pets

• Assisting with office and administrative support

The program also offers significant value for college students, especially those preparing for careers in nursing, social work, psychology, or healthcare administration. Hospice volunteering fosters empathy, communication, and resilience, while allowing students to complete service hours in a meaningful real-world setting. It also serves as a strong resume booster, as Prudential Healthcare has been proudly serving communities in Los Angeles, Orange, and Inland Empire counties for more than 20 years.

No prior experience is necessary. Prudential Hospice provides comprehensive training and continued support. Volunteers of all backgrounds and stages of life are encouraged to apply.

Shellee Amarillas, Vice President of Prudential Hospice, emphasized the impact of the program on patients and volunteers alike.

“Our volunteers reflect the heart of our mission,” Amarillas said. “They remind us that being present, listening, and offering comfort are some of the most powerful forms of care. Their service is a gift to our patients, their families, and our entire organization.”

To learn more or apply, contact Susanne Martinez at (562) 924-1555 or smartinez@prudentialhc.com.