Adventist Health Bakersfield Voted “Best Hospital”
Adventist Health Bakersfield has been named “Best Hospital” in the 2026 Best of Kern County Readers’ Choice Poll, a distinction that reflects the trust and confidence of the communities it serves. In addition to the top hospital recognition, Adventist Health earned the top spot in three additional categories and “Favorite” in several others, underscoring its broad impact and dedication to meeting the healthcare needs of a diverse population.
The Best of Readers’ Choice Poll, organized by The Bakersfield Californian and Bakersfield Life, is an annual poll that invites Kern County residents to vote across a wide range of categories. This year, Bakersfield Life expanded the number of categories to 187.
Adventist Health won “First Place” in the following categories:
- Best hospital – Adventist Health Bakersfield
- Best medical supply/pharmacy - Adventist Health Delano Family Pharmacy
- Best oncologist – Ricardo Salas, MD – Adventist Health AIS Cancer Center at Adventist Health Bakersfield
- Best plastic surgeon – Michael Brandon Freeman, MD – Adventist Health Physicians Network Bakersfield
Adventist Health was also listed as a “Favorite” in the following categories:
- Best nonprofit event – VIPink event at the Adventist Health AIS Cancer Center
- Best youth program – Adventist Health Workforce Development Program
- Best general practitioner – Claudia Carranza, MD - Adventist Health Physicians Network Bakersfield
- Best hospice – Adventist Health Home Care Services
- Best hospital – Adventist Health Specialty Bakersfield
- Best oncologist – Ather Mehboob, MD - Adventist Health AIS Cancer Center
- Best physical therapy group – Adventist Health PT Solutions
- Best medical group – Adventist Health Physicians Network and Adventist Health AIS Cancer Center
The Adventist Health AIS Cancer received notable recognition in the “Best of” awards. The center was named a “Favorite” medical group overall, while its signature annual breast cancer event, VIPink, was named a favorite nonprofit event. In addition, two oncologists from the AIS Cancer Center earned top distinctions, including best oncologist and favorite oncologist, which reflect the exceptional care by the team. These distinctions are especially notable, as the AIS Cancer Center is currently undergoing a 20,000 square foot expansion with the addition of the Advanced Care Pavilion, which is slated to open in summer 2026.
“On behalf of our entire team, I want to thank our friends and neighbors in Kern County for placing their trust in Adventist Health,” said Jason Wells, president, Adventist Health Central California Network. “It is an incredible honor to be recognized as the best hospital by the very community we are privileged to serve.”
To learn more about the wide range of services offered at Adventist Health in Central California, visit: AdventistHealth.org/Central-California
