Assemblyman Fong honors Kimberly Sandoval as 2021 Woman of the Year

Assemblyman Vince Fong (R-Kern County) honored Kimberly Sandoval as the 34th Assembly District's 2021 Woman of the Year. Kimberly is a nurse manager for Dignity Health Memorial Hospital in Bakersfield. Kimberly oversees 120 employees in the Telemetry Unit. Dignity's Telemetry Unit was transitioned to COVID patients in March of 2020.

"When the COVID-19 pandemic hit California, Kimberly responded by transitioning her floor to serve COVID patients," said Fong. "It is important Kimberly is recognized for her nimble, thoughtful and strategic leadership which ensured the needs of the hospital, but also of our community, were met. Her work reflects all nurses and frontline workers in our hospital and medical community."

Kimberly began her journey into healthcare by receiving her Associate of Science degree in Nursing from Antelope Valley College. After graduation in December of 2009, Kimberly began her career at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital. Over the past ten years, Kimberly has served in multiple roles including serving on the Telemetry Unit and in the Emergency Department. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing Leadership to further enhance her career.

"I am truly honored to be receiving such recognition. This has been an extremely challenging year for all healthcare workers and I am grateful to Assemblyman Vince Fong for allowing me to accept this on behalf of all women in healthcare and my amazing team at Memorial Hospital that I work with every day. This past year has been an important reminder of why we do what we do, especially in this time of uncertainty, thank you for this incredible recognition," says Sandoval.

"Kimberly's hard work and dedication has been instrumental in supporting her staff and providing top quality care for patients," said Fong. "It is an honor to recognize her as she has led the hospital and her team through the greatest public health challenge of our time and we are proud of her commitment to the 34th District."

The Woman of the Year event was founded in 1987 by Assemblywoman Bev Hansen (R) and Assemblywoman Sally Tanner (D). In celebration of the contributions to society made by remarkable women throughout California, one woman from each Senate and Assembly District are invited to the Capitol and honored for their accomplishments. The women are usually recognized as Woman of the Year in a formal ceremony on the floors of the Senate and Assembly. The 2021 ceremony was held virtually on March 15.