HCCN honors two 2026 Wholeness of Life recipients in New York

HealthCare Chaplaincy Network recognized two New York-based health care workers at its Wholeness of Life Gala on Thursday in New York City, celebrating more than 60 years of service and its push to expand spiritual care in health care. The event also spotlighted 10 Patient Care Honorees and supports the nonprofit’s fundraising for patient experience work.

Why it matters: - HealthCare Chaplaincy Network’s Wholeness of Life Gala is its largest awareness- and revenue-generating event. - Proceeds support HCCN’s mission to improve patient experience and patient satisfaction through spiritual care. - The gala highlights the role of spiritual care in health care for patients, families and clinical teams.

What happened: - HCCN named two 2026 Wholeness of Life Award recipients at its annual gala on Thursday at Il Cortile in New York City. - The honorees are Akina Awano, Clinical Nurse III at Hospital for Special Surgery, and Desiree Borré, LMSW, director of Patient and Family Services at St. Mary’s Hospital for Children. - Both awardees are based in New York. - The gala marked HCCN’s celebration of more than 60 years of service. - HCCN also recognized 10 additional Patient Care Honorees at the event. - More information on the honorees is available at the Wholeness of Life Gala website.

The details: - Rev. Eric J. Hall, president and CEO of HCCN and the Spiritual Care Association, said the organization was honoring “two extraordinary individuals” who embody its mission to care for the whole person. - Awano joined HSS in 2018 and works in the stepdown unit, where she cares for vulnerable patients and addresses both physical and emotional needs. - Colleagues describe Awano as a compassionate caregiver, attentive listener, skilled communicator and calming presence. - Awano works with an interdisciplinary team to support patient care and a respectful, collaborative workplace. - Awano joined the 2026 Operation Walk NYC medical mission to Antigua, Guatemala, bringing orthopedic care support to patients who otherwise may not have access to high-quality treatment. - Awano is also pursuing a master’s degree while raising three young children. - Borré has more than 20 years of service at St. Mary’s Children’s Hospital. - Borré has a master’s degree in social work from Fordham University. - Borré’s background spans foster care, early intervention, early education, health care, mental health and counseling services. - For nine years, Borré has led the Patient and Family Services team and has promoted patient- and family-centered care. - Borré regularly meets with families, hears their concerns and helps them advocate for their children.

Between the lines: - The awards signal HCCN’s focus on care that extends beyond clinical treatment to emotional and spiritual support. - Honoring a nurse and a social worker shows the organization’s view that whole-person care depends on multiple roles across the health system. - The gala doubles as a mission event and a fundraising platform, which makes the recognition part of a larger institutional strategy.

What's next: - HCCN will continue using the gala to raise funds and awareness for its programs. - Supporters can donate through HCCN’s donation page. - The organization says its work will continue through clinical practice, education, research and advocacy. - Hall said HCCN remains committed to helping people facing life’s most profound challenges, regardless of belief.

The bottom line: - HCCN used its annual gala to spotlight two frontline caregivers and reinforce its case that spiritual care belongs inside modern health care.