Saint Agnes names first Alfred Valles, MD Legacy Award winner

On April 25, 2024, Saint Agnes Medical Center awarded Dr. Talal Arab the inaugural Alfred Valles, MD, Legacy Award.

Dr. Valles was a beloved physician, mentor and friend in the Saint agnes community who passed away tragically in October 2023. In honor of his legacy, the Medical Executive Committee and Senior Leadership announced in March that the Champion in Care Award—Saint Agnes' annual physician award—would be renamed the Alfred Valles, MD, Legacy Award.

Since 2009, Saint Agnes has been recognizing physicians with the Champion in Care Award who demonstrate team spirit and a desire to work collaboratively with fellow colleagues. Dr. Valles was a recipient of the Champion in Care Award in 2019.

In a small ceremony at the Medical Center on Thursday, April 25, 2024, Saint Agnes Leaders, Board of Directors and Medical Executive Committee, were joined by the Valles Family, The Heart Group providers and staff, the intesivist group and loved ones to present Dr. Arab with the meaningful and prestigious award. 

Dr. Arab was selected from a pool of 29 nominated physicians. Nurses and clinicians nominated him for going above and beyond to support their patient care efforts. He has been known to help nurses administer medications, take turns performing CPR so staff members can rest, and, on one occassion, fed a patient breakfast during a busy shift.

"It's always an honor to be voted by your nurses and colleagues as a physician of the year. We had a good attendance of all those that watned to honor Dr. Vallles and his loving memory in addition to celebrating Dr. Arab," says John Evanko, MD, Chief Medical Officer.

The Alfred Valles, MD, Legacy Award is awarded to a physician who puts their patients first, works collaboraitvely with clinical colleagues and embodies our healing mission and Core Values.

"Today I was awarded a great honor," Dr. Arab says. "When you come into work, you don't think about things like this, but to win an award among all of our amazing colleagues here means a great deal to me."