When you meet Dr. Patricia Quebada Clerkin, her warmth and humility make it easy to forget that she a highly accomplished pediatric neurosurgeon.

Named one of the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World by the Global Filipina Women’s Network, the recognition celebrates not only her surgical expertise but her unwavering commitment to children and communities near and far.

At Valley Children’s, Dr. Clerkin leads the Pediatric Neurosurgery team with a steady hand and a compassionate heart. Every day, she and her team tackle some of the most complex conditions imaginable, including brain and spinal tumors, craniofacial disorders, hydrocephalus and traumatic injuries. Her work is a blend of precision and empathy, ensuring that families facing the unimaginable find hope and healing.

But Dr. Clerkin’s story doesn’t end in the operating room. Her influence stretches across the ocean to her native Philippines, where she volunteers with the Neurosurgery Outreach Foundation. Through surgical missions and training programs, she helps local physicians develop advanced skills, bringing life-saving care to children who might otherwise go without.

In Cotabato, a province in the Philippines, she has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with local surgeons, performing delicate procedures and sharing knowledge that will ripple through generations of care.

“I was born in the Philippines. I’m the first child who actually left to go to a four-year university from the family. Being Filipino, I felt it was important to provide that kind of service that I can,” she said. “This is a gift that I’ve been given. I’ve been trained. Not very many of us have this ability to do this kind of work. And they need it there.”

That sense of responsibility has earned her recognition not only from global organizations but from the Philippine government itself, a testament to her impact on both sides of the Pacific.

Her journey from studying neuroscience at UC Berkeley to leading pediatric neurosurgery at Valley Children’s has been marked by perseverance and purpose. Today, she serves as a role model for young women in medicine, proving that excellence and empathy can coexist in the highest levels of healthcare.

Dr. Clerkin’s honor as one of the world’s most influential Filipinas is more than an accolade; it’s a reflection of a life dedicated to healing, teaching and inspiring. Whether in a state-of-the-art surgical suite at Valley Children’s or a modest hospital in Mindanao, her mission remains the same: to bring hope where it’s needed most.

When Valley Children’s Nurse Crystal Aguayo transitioned from the operating room to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), she carried with her a quiet mission: to forge deeper connections with her young patients and their families. That intention became reality when she became the first recipient of the prestigious DAISY Award in the history of Valley Children’s Healthcare.

A year and a half into her role with the PICU, Crystal’s dedication culminated in an emotional ceremony full of cheers and heartfelt appreciation from her teammates. She said, “The DAISY Award was almost a mythical thing to me, something you hear about but never expect to win. I feel so honored.”

The DAISY Award isn’t just a recognition; it’s a national tribute to nurses who transcend the ordinary. Nominations come from patients, families and colleagues alike.

When Crystal began working in the PICU, she began caring for patients who families seek answers and support around the clock. Compare that to her work in the operating room, where patient interaction is often brief and procedural. She embraced the challenge, setting a goal to hone her interpersonal skills and be present in the moments that matter most. “This recognition means so much more than an award,” Crystal said. “It’s a reminder that even as we are still growing, we can have a lasting impact on the children and families we care for.”

Nominations poured in from both her colleagues and a patient’s grateful family. They  recalled, “She let us know our son was doing extremely well in so many areas of his health, and that she had faith he would overcome this. She went out of her way to make us feel better about our stay.”

Crystal’s pride in her workplace also shines brightly. “I can’t say enough how great it is to work for Valley Children’s,” she shared. “I feel so incredibly humbled and motivated all at once.”

Winners receive a DAISY portfolio and a unique, hand-carved “Healer’s Touch Sculpture” from Zimbabwe, symbolizing global appreciation for their healing hands.

For Crystal Aguayo, the recognition isn’t about accolades—it’s about affirmation. Her journey from operating rooms to children’s bedsides reflects a nurse devoted to healing, comfort, and meaningful connection.

When Dr. Jill Friebele talks about her work, one theme shines through: inclusion. As a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon and director of Valley Children’s Adaptive Sports Program, she has dedicated her career to helping kids of all abilities experience the joy of movement.

That passion recently earned her recognition as one of the Top Ten Professional Women and Leading Business Awards recipients by the Marjaree Mason Center, an honor that celebrates leadership and community impact.

“My mission is to increase awareness of our children’s needs in the Central Valley and bring equity to healthcare and wellness,” Dr. Friebele said. “The fact that I have been acknowledged is directly linked to our community recognizing the importance of adaptive sports and supporting our programs, and that means the world to me.”

The Adaptive Sports Program, the only one of its kind in Central California, offers free recreational and athletic experiences for children and young adults with physical disabilities or mobility impairments. From water skiing to rock climbing, participants discover confidence, independence and the thrill of exceeding expectations.

Dr. Friebele’s expertise runs deep. With more than 13 years as an orthopaedic surgeon and fellowship training in pediatric orthopaedics, she specializes in sports injuries, pediatric trauma, neuromuscular disorders and congenital deformities.

She also partners with Fresno State’s gait analysis lab to assess pediatric patients and guide treatment plans. As director for Orthopaedics in Valley Children’s pediatric residency program, she mentors future physicians while inspiring kids to find their passion in life.

Born and raised in Wisconsin, Jill moved to Fresno seven years ago to join Valley Children’s. Her love for sports has shaped her approach to care. For more than 20 years, she’s coached youth athletics, now cheering on her sons in soccer and T-ball.

“My mission is to increase awareness of ALL of our children’s needs in the community and bring equity to healthcare and wellness through these programs,” she said.

Whether in the operating room or on the playing field, Dr. Friebele’s work proves that healthcare is more than treatment; it’s about creating opportunities for every child to thrive. Through her leadership, Valley Children’s continues to break barriers, ensuring that ability never limits possibility.

For Darah Stroud, every breath matters. As a respiratory care practitioner at Valley Children's, she spends her days ensuring that patients can do something most of us take for granted: breathe easier.

This year, her dedication earned her a place in Valley Children's history as the first recipient of the Pulmonary Health and Illnesses of the Lungs (PHIL) Award, a national honor celebrating excellence in compassionate respiratory care.

"I think it's amazing, because a lot of people don't even know what a respiratory therapist is," said Stroud. "It's really cool that there's a program that is actually showing that we're here, too."

Established in 2006, the PHIL Award is the only hospital-based national recognition program for respiratory therapists, a profession often working behind the scenes, yet vital to patient survival.

Stroud's award was presented during a heartfelt ceremony attended by colleagues and the family of Xzavier, a patient she cared for during a three-month hospitalization. 

His mother, Audelia, spoke through tears of gratitude: "Darah, we love you so much and we appreciate you so much. If anyone deserves this award, it's you, and this hospital is very lucky to have you."

She recalled Stroud staying after her shift to comfort and support the family during their most difficult days.

Along with a commemorative plaque, Stroud received the "Appreciation" sculpture, a symbol of the unwavering commitment respiratory therapists bring to their patients, often quietly and without fanfare. 

For Stroud, the recognition is deeply personal.

“This is my home. This is what I was supposed to do with my life. I always say, 'It's a beautiful day to save a life.'”

Stroud continued: "I absolutely love working with the patients and the families. It's a beautiful thing we do here."

Through her compassion and skill, Darah Stroud reminds us that heroes aren't always in the spotlight, they're often at the bedside, making every breath possible.