Marina Cortez, RN, pictured above, explains how nurse engagement and the Magnet Recognition program positively impacts staff involvement and the patient experience at UC San Diego Health. Photo credit: UC San Diego Health
Marina Cortez, RN, has worked at UC San Diego Health for more than 20 years, but taking care of other people wasn't always her plan. Her childhood dream was to become a veterinarian, however, thanks to some convincing from a friend, Cortez decided to take a certified nursing assistant (CNA) course while in college, and as they say, the rest is history.
"Nursing is my calling, and I love what I do. Being a bedside nurse and making human connections on a daily basis is what drives me," said Cortez.
For the first part of her career at UC San Diego Health, Cortez worked as a CNA at Hillcrest Medical Center. She eventually attended nursing school to become a registered nurse (RN) after working as a CNA for nearly 15 years. Cortez, a mom of three, credits the support she received from colleagues and leadership as one of the main reasons why she was able to attend school while also working full time and caring for her children.
"There was no plan B for me," said Cortez. "I always knew I would become an RN, and it's through UC San Diego Health's organizational approach and focus on nursing excellence, that made this feasible."
UC San Diego Health has held Magnet status from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) since 2011, a recognition program for health care organizations that value nursing talent and align nursing strategic goals to improve patient outcomes. The accreditation process for Magnet takes place every four years.
In 2026, the academic health system became the first in San Diego and one of 10 in California to receive Magnet with Distinction status, considered the goal standard in nursing excellence.
According to the ANCC, the Magnet Recognition Program provides a roadmap to nursing excellence, which benefits the whole organization. Magnet with Distinction specifically celebrates hospitals and health care organizations that exceed the scoring thresholds required to attain Magnet designation.
"Magnet Recognition is an impressive achievement for our organization, team members and the communities we are so proud to serve," said Margarita Baggett, RN, MSN, chief clinical officer at UC San Diego Health. "Research shows that Magnet-designated health care organizations demonstrate better patient outcomes and achieve higher patient satisfaction, and we are invested in maintaining this credential for nursing excellence."
Now working as a trauma nurse at Hillcrest Medical Center, Cortez works daily to care for patients in need of life-saving support while also leading new research and implementing best practices that improve patient outcomes.
"Marina truly exemplifies Magnet nursing and the impact organizational and leadership support has on nursing excellence," said Heather Warlan, RN, PhD, Magnet program director at UC San Diego Health. "Her quality improvement project not only enhanced patient care, but enabled her professional advancement as well and earned her recognition as UC San Diego Health's 2026 Exemplary Professional Practice Inpatient Nurse of the Year."
In this Q&A, Cortez explains how nurse engagement and the Magnet Recognition program positively impacts staff involvement and patient experience.
What is Magnet Recognition?
Magnet Recognition is one of the highest distinctions a hospital can receive in the United States specifically for nursing excellence. For nurses, it means they are working somewhere that provides exceptional professional development and sets the standard for leadership, nurse autonomy, research and implementation of evidence-based practice. For patients, it is synonymous with high quality nursing care, and positive outcomes while receiving care in the hospital.
Cortez provides care for patients in need of life-saving support while also leading new research and implementing best practices that improve patient outcomes. Photo credit: UC San Diego Health
What's it like being a trauma nurse?
Working as a trauma nurse at Hillcrest Medical Center is challenging and incredibly rewarding at the same time. For the specific unit I work in, our specialty is traumatic brain injuries (TBI) where we provide extra support for patients to help stabilize them after they've received care either in the trauma bay or Surgery Intensive Care Unit. Our Level 1 Trauma Center provides the highest level of care for the most high-risk injuries, including severe burns and serious injuries, such as car accidents.
While caring for patients in the Trauma Center is challenging, I truly love what I do and see the impact my work makes each day. Our multidisciplinary team works with specialists from surgery, neurology, orthopedics, cardiothoracic and vascular care, and being part of this work is incredibly fulfilling.
How does Magnet Recognition impact patient care?
The Magnet Model is comprised of five "Model Components" that focus on measured outcomes in nursing excellence and patient care. One of these components is called "New Knowledge, Innovations and Improvements" that encourages nurses to conduct research and implement evidence-based process improvements for high-quality patient care.
As part of this, I was supported in creating a new standard of care that ensures every patient with mild concussions receives cognitive consults while still in the hospital. These interdisciplinary consults include speech and occupational therapy support, and additional resources should a patient need extra support after hospital discharge in order to improve outcomes.
For me, a lot of what we do as nurses each day and how we provide care is a direct reflection of our leadership team. Knowing we have incredible leadership at UC San Diego Health through this Magnet Recognition means that patients will benefit, and I am incredibly proud to be a part of this team and health care organization.
The Power of Nursing Excellence
The nursing team at UC San Diego Health is first in class and it plays a vital role in providing exceptional, compassionate patient care.
Trauma Center
Trauma Center
