2nd Annual Physician Honors Awards

"I’m honored to recognize the winners of this year’s Physician Honors Awards," states
Brian Helleland, Chief Executive. "These awards recognize the extraordinary
contributions and achievements of our medical team at Providence St. Joseph Hospital.
The awards shine a spotlight on the physicians who embody the spirit and values of St.
Joseph Hospital, leading with compassion and a deep commitment to serve the people
of our community. All the nominees are exemplary physicians and today we celebrate
them and the ways that they have improved their patients’ lives while advancing the
mission of our ministry."

COMMUNITY PARTNER AWARD – Brian Palafox, MD, has participated in 11
international medical missions with Arpan Global Charities, bringing exceptional surgical
expertise and compassionate care to communities with limited healthcare resources.
His contributions extend beyond performing complex congenital and acquired cardiac
surgeries; he also provides lectures, case-based education, and hands-on training that
strengthen local clinical teams long after each mission ends. For more than four
decades, Dr. Palafox and his wife, Mary, have supported St. Joseph Hospital through
generous philanthropy and advocacy. A skilled surgeon, mentor, humanitarian, and
servant leader, Dr. Palafox exemplifies meaningful partnership with our ministry,
community, and those most in need.

CULTURE & TEAMWORK AWARD – Jack Canton, MD, exemplifies collaborative
leadership through his steady, patient-centered approach and ability to bring teams
together across St. Joseph Hospital. As Medical Director of General Anesthesia, he
works closely with physician specialties, departments, ancillary staff, nursing,
perioperative leaders, and executive leadership to address complex priorities and create
clear paths forward. Known for his professionalism, empathy, strong communication,
and problem-solving mindset, Dr. Canton builds trust while ensuring each team
member’s perspective is valued. His commitment to listening, engaging in difficult
conversations, and advancing effective solutions has strengthened teamwork, improved
collaboration, and made a lasting impact on the culture of our organization.

CLINICAL EXCELLENCE AWARD – Jeffrey Tyler, MD, is being honored for his
leadership in advancing cardiogenic shock care at Providence St. Joseph Hospital and
across the Orange County High Desert service area. Through his clinical expertise, he
championed standardized shock protocols, strengthened multidisciplinary collaboration,
and created ongoing education and case review processes to improve care for critically
ill patients. His work with the Cardiogenic Shock Working Group and the service area
Shock Collaborative has helped align teams around evidence-based, rapid-response
practices. Under his leadership, survival rates improved from approximately 45% to
more than 75%, reflecting a lasting impact on patient outcomes and clinical excellence.

LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE AWARD – Jason Caberto, DO, demonstrates leadership
excellence through his commitment to patient-centered care, interdisciplinary
collaboration, and operational improvement. He has been an influential voice in
advancing multidisciplinary rounds, strengthening accountability, communication, and
patient flow. His advocacy for closed-loop communication and structured follow-up has
improved collaboration among physicians, nursing, case management, and ancillary
teams. Dr. Caberto brings clinical expertise, practical insight, and a solutions-oriented
approach to complex challenges such as care transitions, discharge planning, and post-
acute placement. Respected across disciplines for his professionalism and balanced
perspective, he continues to make a meaningful impact on caregivers, patients, and the
organization.

MEDICAL STAFF LEADERSHIP AWARD – Melissa Rudolph, MD, is a dedicated
Emergency Medicine physician and Medical Director, and the 2026-27 Chief of Staff
whose leadership has strengthened medical staff operations, physician engagement,
and organizational communication. As Vice Chief in 2025, she served as a trusted
partner through key initiatives, including EPIC implementation, the transition from
PerfectServe to Secure Chat, and adoption of the AMION on-call platform. She also
helped modernize Medical Staff Rules and Regulations by leading a multi-specialty
Consultation Practices Workgroup focused on improving consultation expectations and
patient care. Known for her objectivity, collaboration, and thoughtful problem-solving, Dr.
Rudolph continues to advance meaningful change, while advocating for physician well-
being and sustainable support for the medical staff.

2026 Award Nominees
Congratulations to these honorees as well as the nominees listed below, all of
whom have demonstrated exceptional skill, innovation and leadership. We’re grateful for
all of you and the work you do for your patients, team members, and for the Providence
St. Joseph Hospital community that relies on you to advance our mission and vision –
thank you.

Leadership Excellence
Jason Caberto, DO, Hospitalist Medicine
Amer Jabara, MD, Nephrology
Jairo J. Marin, MD, Interventional Cardiology
John P. Maurice, MD, Thoracic Surgery
Jonathan G. Steller, MD, Obstetrics & Gynecology
Medical Staff Leadership
John Cross, MD, Anesthesiology
Amir Ghiassi, MD, Intensivist Medicine
Claudia R. Gold, MD, Emergency Medicine
Melissa Rudolph, MD, Emergency Medicine
Eric K. Wellmeyer, MD, Anesthesiology

Clinical Excellence
Kia Ghiassi, DO, Intensivist Medicine
Anita Gregory, MD, Colon & Rectal Surgery
Yasir A. Qazi, MD, Nephrology
Mahmood K. Razavi, MD, Interventional Radiology
Jeffrey M. Tyler, MD, Interventional Cardiology
Culture & Teamwork
Jooby Babu, MD, Pulmonary Disease
Jack Canton, MD, Anesthesiology
Kiefer S. Greenspan, MD, Psychiatry
Melissa Rudolph, MD, Emergency Medicine
Dan Vu, MD, Radiology
Community Partner
Paul A. Beck, MD, Orthopedic Surgery
Sudeep Kukreja, MD, Neonatology
Stavroula A. Otis, MD, Hematology & Oncology
Brian A. Palafox, MD, Thoracic Surgery
Aisha Simjee, MD, Ophthalmology