Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital’s singing nurse Jared Axen was honored Friday by the Hospital Association of Southern California as a Hospital Hero in an annual event at The Omni in Downtown Los Angeles. The Hospital Heroes event recognizes the outstanding commitments and achievements of healthcare professionals – the men and women who work tirelessly to ensure that the needs of our communities are met.

Axen was among several heroes representing Southern California hospitals recognized for going above and beyond in responding to patient care.

“In many ways, in just a few minutes, sometimes I’m getting to know about the most intimate parts of their lives that even their families members don’t know,” Axen said. “Nursing is very much about a human connection and that interaction. The level of intimacy is partly going to determine how much care you can provide for them.”

A nurse at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital since 2008, Axen shares his vocal talents to help patients . 

Though Jared has performed concerts around the world, for him, singing to patients one-on-one has been the most gratifying and fulfilling experience, he said.

“I am grateful for this wonderful opportunity to serve the hospital and community in a unique way,” Axen said.

Axen was raised in the Santa Clarita Valley, and said he feels blessed to be able to use his gift to help his patients.

“I want to make their experience at the hospital an incredible one,” he said.

For more information, visit www.nationalhealthfoundation.org or www.hasc.org.

About Henry Mayo

Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital is a 238- bed not-for-profit acute care hospital serving the Santa Clarita Valley since 1975. Services include trauma, emergency, intensive care, neonatal intensive care unit, maternity, surgery, nursing, wound care, behavioral health, and acute rehab, as well as cancer, cardiology, imaging, lab, digestive, respiratory services and physical and occupational therapies. Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital is located at 23845 McBean Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355-2083. For more information, visit www.henrymayo.com or call (661)253-8000.