Dale Surowitz’s parents hammered into him the notion that he must make whatever he touches better. And he has.

For improving health care and for his broad community service to the San Fernando Valley, the hospital administrator Saturday received the region’s prestigious Fernando Award for volunteerism.

“Wow,” said Surowitz, a lifelong Valley resident and CEO of Providence Tarzana Medical Center, upon being handed the bronze Fernando statue at an evening gala inside the Globe Theater at Universal Studios. “This award means a lot to me, because I know what this award means,” he said. “It’s a highlight of a lot of (volunteer) work. But it’s just a start, and it’s only a beginning. … We’re here to make the community better, we’re here to make the San Fernando Valley great.”

The 58th Annual Fernando Award black-tie banquet drew hundreds of guests, from elected officials to business leaders to stalwarts of nonprofit services.

Their aim was simple: to honor the philanthropists and community volunteers who, since the award was issued nearly six decades ago, have worked to make the Valley a better place.

This year, the Fernando Awards Foundation had nominated 13 civic leaders for its prestigious prize. It also handed out thousands of dollars in college scholarships.

Read the rest of this article at the Daily News.