Multiple kid experts were honored at the Minnesota Hospital Association’s (MHA) 2026 spring awards. The awards recognize excellence in health care innovation, workforce development, leadership and communications at hospitals and health systems across the state. Awards were presented in three categories during the ceremony on May 21.
Workforce category
Caroline Njau, senior vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer, received an Excellence in Nurse Leadership award. The honor recognized her strategic vision, collaboration, and steadfast focus on excellence to help strengthen health care delivery at Children’s Minnesota. During the ceremony, MHA noted her commitment to advancing innovative, patient-centered health care and support for opportunities to make children healthier across the state.
Quality and Safety category
The Resource Navigators of the Community Connect program at Children’s Minnesota received an Excellence in Addressing Social Influencers of Health award. Jessica Acevedo, Ayan Ali, Estibaliz Quintero Varela, Monica Rodriguez Padilla and Zuzi Velazquez, manager of community health, were honored as champions of holistic, family-centered health that addresses the social factors shaping a child’s future. Through follow-up and case management, resource navigators ensure families are not simply referred – but fully supported – creating lasting stability, dignity, and better outcomes for children and their communities.
Communicator category
Children’s Minnesota was honored with a Social Media and Digital Engagement award. Alex Erritt, digital content and social media manager, and Mai Songsawatwong, social media specialist, were recognized for elevating Children’s Minnesota’s digital presence through innovative video storytelling that educates families, amplifies patient journeys, and highlights trusted pediatric expertise on timely and often hard‑to‑discuss topics.
Children’s Minnesota also received the Shining Stories award. Nick Petersen, public relations lead, was recognized for his thoughtful approach to sharing the story of 5-year-old Freddie Solum. “Freddie’s superpower legacy” story honored Freddie’s compassion and generosity, which endured even as he faced stage 4 Burkitt’s lymphoma.
Supported by the pain, palliative and integrative medicine team, Freddie and his family created a lasting legacy through a little lending library filled with his books and toys. The story was shared through sensitive collaboration between his family, the care team and the public relations team, honoring both Freddie’s life and the caregivers who helped him leave a lasting mark on his community.
