UCI Health ― Los Alamitos plant operations director honored as frontline hero
U.S. Navy veteran Santiago Chambers dedicated to safety of patients, community
October 29, 2024
UCI Health — Los Alamitos Director of Plant Operations Santiago Chambers, back row, right, received recognition for his commitment to the safety of his co-workers, patients and the community.
Credit: Los Alamitos Event-News Enterprise
Orange, Calif. — Santiago Chambers, the director of plant operations at UCI Health ― Los Alamitos, has been recognized as a frontline hero by the Los Alamitos Area Chamber of Commerce for his steadfast dedication to the safety of the community.
When he isn’t serving his colleagues at the hospital, Chambers is out in the community, checking car seats and visiting schools and businesses to educate people about earthquake preparedness and safety. He is also a nationally certified healthcare safety professional and a certified healthcare emergency professional, child passenger safety technician instructor and hazmat industry technician.
Chambers returned to UCI Health ― Los Alamitos in 2023 after working at UCI Health ― Fountain Valley as its hospital safety officer, emergency management officer and manager of the environment of care. He also has decades of experience in plant operations, emergency preparedness and security.
A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Chambers is also the state vice president for the California Society for Healthcare Engineering.
Chambers was nominated by UCI Health ― Los Alamitos CEO Kent Clayton, who spoke at the Sept. 19 Heroes Luncheon.
“Always professional and humble, Santiago never seeks attention for his thoughtfulness and attention to delivering top-notch work and a caring touch to all the lives he crosses,” Clayton said.
“He is truly a beacon of light, lifting everyone around him up. No task is too great or too small for Santiago and he always performs to the top of his abilities. He is truly dedicated to advancing a culture of safety and he cares deeply about our community.”
Chambers and his wife have been married for 28 years. They have two daughters in college and a son serving in the U.S. Marines.
During the Los Alamitos Area Chamber of Commerce Heroes Appreciation Luncheon each year, one recipient each from the military, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, the fire department, the police department and UCI Health ― Los Alamitos are recognized for their service to the community. The recipients are chosen by chiefs, generals, commanders and CEO Clayton.
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About UCI Health
UCI Health, one of California’s largest academic health systems, is the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. The system comprises its main campus UCI Medical Center, a 459-bed, acute care hospital in Orange, Calif., four hospitals and affiliated physicians of the UCI Health Community Network in Orange and Los Angeles counties and ambulatory care centers across the region. Recognized as a Top Hospital by The Leapfrog Group, UCI Medical Center provides tertiary and quaternary care and is home to Orange County’s only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, high-risk perinatal/neonatal program and American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, gold level 1 geriatric emergency department and regional burn center. UCI Health serves a region of nearly 4 million people in Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.
