Nancy B. Varner

Lifetime Achievement Award

Nancy B. Varner was one of the founding board members of the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Foundation in 1992. Her active involvement with the Children’s Hospital included a term as the Foundation’s chair and chairing the inaugural Children’s Hospital Foundation Gala. In recognition of Nancy’s outstanding dedication and distinguished service to children through volunteerism and community service, the Lifetime Achievement Award is now known as the Nancy B. Varner Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Nancy B. Varner Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes outstanding dedication and lifetime distinguished service. Through both personal and professional service, the award winner has demonstrated desire, motivation and devotion to improve the lives of others.

Previous Recipients

Leonard L. Bailey, MD

B. Lyn Behrens, MBBS

Debbie Brown

LeeAnne Garman

Loma Linda University Health Frontline Workers

James and Rowena Ramos

Barbara Robinson

2023 RECIPIENTS OF THE NANCY B. VARNER

Lifetime Achievement Award

Pete and Patsy Gillies

Pete and Patsy Gillies’ relationship to Loma Linda University Health began when Patsy started volunteering for the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital. Over her more than 25 years of volunteer service, Patsy provided comfort and joy to countless patients and their families during their time of need. Pete was overjoyed by her love for the organization and what volunteering meant to her. Because of her service and because of Pete’s nearly 50-year career as a helicopter pilot and instructor, Pete and Patsy were inspired to name the helipad on the 16th floor of the Dennis and Carol Troesh Medical Campus.

Tim and Carol Rochford

San Manuel Band of Mission Indians

The Honorable Shirley N. Pettis Thompson

Zareh Sarrafian

Clare Sheridan-Matney, MD

Morton and Jane Woolley, MDs

Frank and Mary Ann Xavier

In 2018, Pete lost the love of his life when Patsy passed away unexpectedly. To remember her, Pete named another space in the new tower lobby in memory of Patsy. Then, in 2021, Pete’s interest in technology made it clear to him how important the life-saving capacity of a dedicated pediatric daVinci robot could be for Loma Linda University Children's Hospital and he provided pivotal support for that fundraising initiative as well. Today, Pete continues the vision and compassion his wife demonstrated during her many years of service, making the couple excellent candidates for the 2023 Nancy B. Varner Lifetime Achievement Award.

Nancy, who passed away in 2019 following a battle with cancer, co-founded the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Foundation, the Big Hearts for Little Hearts Guild, the Inland Women Fighting Cancer Committee, and the annual Believe Walk in Redlands.