[HMNMH] – 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. A nurse at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital since 2008, Axen shares his unique gift in conjunction with his outstanding nursing abilities to help patients and their families through the healing and recovery process. Along with his positive attitude and charming sense of humor, Axen uses his beautiful singing voice to reach his patients in a powerful and unforgettable way. Though Jared has performed concerts around the world, for him, singing to patients one-on-one has been the most gratifying and fulfilling experience.

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

Axen, who has been singing all his life, and who was raised in the Santa Clarita Valley, feels blessed to be able to use his gift to help his patients. He will hold their hands as he sings which puts the patient in a “different place” for a few minutes, providing relief, and leaving a lasting impact. Patients know of the singing nurse and often have requests. When he sang recently for one of his patients, the family made a recording which the patient carried with her wherever she went. It was a song she and her husband listened to. The last email Jared received from the family asked that he come to her funeral and sing, which he did.

Axen sees his singing as a totally different way of patient care.

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

Axen is a hero to his patients and to his community.

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.