MALIBU, CALIF. – May 16, 2025 – Hold.Health, a national learning network accelerating a movement of faith and health to advance just, equitable and effective health care, presented three prestigious awards today to leaders whose work exemplifies compassion, courage and commitment to future generations.
The recipients of the 2025 awards are:
- Chaplain Alexander Aaron, MDiv, BCC, of San Antonio Regional Hospital – Dr. Gerald Winslow Ethical Clarity Award
- Juan Carlos Belliard, PhD, of Loma Linda University – Dr. Somava Saha Redemptive Intergenerativity Award
- Sadena Thevarajah, JD, of HealthBegins – Dr. Ruth J. Temple Moral Courage Award
“These leaders represent the deep moral center of American health care,” said Gary Gunderson, co-founder of Hold.Health and a longtime national leader in faith and health partnerships. “In a time when institutions struggle to find their way, Alex, Sadena and Juan Carlos show us what it looks like to lead with clarity, courage and care for future generations. They are not just award recipients—they are north stars.”
Dr. Gerald Winslow Ethical Clarity Award: Chaplain Alexander Aaron, MDiv, BCC
Named in honor of Dr. Gerald Winslow—longtime professor at Loma Linda University and Founding Director of its Institute for Health Policy and Leadership—this award recognizes individuals who exemplify the integration of public health, faith and ethics.
Chaplain Alexander Aaron, MDiv, BCC, embodies these values through his work at San Antonio Regional Hospital, a 363-bed acute care hospital in Upland, Calif, a 363-bed acute care hospital in Upland, Calif., a recipient of the Excellence in Spiritual Care Award from the HealthCare Chaplaincy Network.
Known for his compassion and principled guidance, Aaron supports patients and staff through complex moral and spiritual decisions. His approach balances empathy with deep ethical insight, respecting the dignity, autonomy and diverse beliefs of those he serves.
With 15 years of experience in chaplaincy and bereavement care, Aaron holds a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and is finishing a Master of Healthcare Administration from Cornell University this year.
Dr. Somava Saha Redemptive Intergenerativity Award: Dr. Juan Carlos Belliard
This award honors individuals whose lives embody the transformative power of redemption, resilience and commitment to the well-being of future generations—values championed by Dr. Somava Saha, founder of the 100 Million Healthier Lives initiative and CEO of WE in the World. Recipients embody empathy, vision, morality and a dedication to social justice.
Dr. Juan Carlos Belliard has spent over two decades fostering community-university partnerships that improve health equity and empower marginalized populations. Currently Assistant Vice President of Community Partnerships and Director of the Institute for Community Partnerships at Loma Linda University, he also serves as associate professor and co-investigator at the Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine.
A passionate educator and advocate, Belliard applies service-learning models in both local and international settings. His research explores medical pluralism and traditional healing systems. A tireless voice for minority health and justice, he has made a lasting impact throughout the Inland Empire and beyond.
He holds a PhD from Claremont Graduate University and an MPH from Loma Linda University.
Dr. Ruth J. Temple Moral Courage Award: Sadena Thevarajah, JD
This award honors the legacy of Dr. Ruth J. Temple, the first African American female graduate of Loma Linda University and a trailblazer in public health and community empowerment in Los Angeles. Recipients embody integrity, compassion, leadership and inspiration.
Sadena Thevarajah, JD, exemplifies moral courage through nearly two decades of work in law, health policy and community engagement. An immigrant whose family fled persecution, she channels her lived experience into bold advocacy for immigrant communities and those harmed by structural inequities.
As managing director and partner at HealthBegins, Thevarajah leads work to address the social and structural drivers of health—particularly in Medicaid populations. Her career spans service in the Obama Administration and leadership at the USC Schaeffer Center, the American Cancer Society, and a health tech startup.
She earned her law degree from Washington University in St. Louis and a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.
