Each year, members of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council nominate the outstanding caretakers and advocates in the field of homeless health care for the Council’s four awards, plus a conference scholarship for someone who’s never attended before.
It’s our enormous privilege to honor and celebrate the amazing people driving our movement each year through these awards. Read on to learn about our 2026 honorees, who were celebrated June 11, 2026, at an Awards Luncheon at the National Health Care for the Homeless Conference & Policy Symposium in Orlando.
Philip W. Brickner National Leadership Award
Jenny Metzler, Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless
Jennifer L. Metzler is Chief Executive Officer of Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless, Inc. (AHCH), a Federally Qualified Health Center that has served exclusively the population experiencing homelessness in the Albuquerque, N.M., area since 1985. AHCH’s integrated, comprehensive range of health services and philosophy of care organize around the circumstances of homelessness and an emphasis on ending it. A hallmark of the AHCH model is field-based service delivery by all programs and disciplines, in shelters, meal sites, the library, and through roving street outreaches to settings where people without homes congregate and reside.
Metzler has over 40 years’ experience working in community-based organizations dedicated to health, ending homelessness and poverty, immigrants’ rights, media justice, and addressing violence against women. In Latin America and New Mexico, she has developed and implemented a range of outreach and services programs and led collaborative initiatives of diverse community groups. In late 2010, she concluded 15 years at AHCH where, as Development and then Executive Director, she created strategic and unique annual participatory planning processes, and successfully generated millions of dollars in a sustainable business model that drew a diverse public/private mix of operating revenues each year.
Metzler served as President and Strategic Planning Chair of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council board, was an APD Forward Coalition Steering Committee founder and member working on law enforcement reform, and she has served on advisory groups for both Generation Justice and the Building Movement Project in New Mexico.
Ellen Dailey Consumer Advocate Award
Joseph Becerra, USC Street Medicine, Los Angeles
Joseph Becerra is the original Community Health Worker (CHW)— he helped start USC Street Medicine and now is the Supervising CHW. Becerra is also a Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor, Domestic Violence Counselor, and certified Gang Interventionist who has worked with the underserved, incarcerated youth/adults, at-risk youth/CSEC youth. Becerra was also homeless for more than 13 years. Becerra worked closely with the Department of Mental Health in the juvenile justice system with incarcerated youth and at USC for several years on studies focusing on intravenous drug users.
In 2022, Becerra was named to the Steering Committee of the Health Care for the Homeless Clinicians’ Network, a membership network of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council. Becerra also serves as a representative for USC Street Medicine on the workforce development/education team, including taking part in trainings and consulting for outside programs on harm reduction and safety for the future of street medicine program development.
Willie J. Mackey National Medical Respite Award
Mary De Guzman, RN, Good Samaritan Shelter, Santa Barbara County, Calif.
Mary De Guzman, RN, oversees recuperative care at four locations with Good Samaritan Shelter in Santa Barbara County, Calif. Through her work, she has cultivated a deep understanding of the barriers faced by the homeless population, striving to bridge the gap between healthcare services and those who need them most.
Her passion lies in honoring the lives of the underprivileged and ensuring they receive the care they deserve. Known for second chances, De Guzman leads her team and hopes to inspire others in the community with her motto, “If not us, then who?”
Karen Rotondo Award for Outstanding Service
Dr. Sabina Wong, The Boulevard of Chicago
Sabina Wong, MD, is the Clinic Coordinator for the PCC Clinic at The Boulevard of Chicago. In her role coordinating the PCC Clinic, Dr. Wong ensures that clients receive high-quality, patient-centered medical care in a setting designed to support healing and stability. A colleague notes, “She approaches everyone with dignity, empathy, and clinical excellence, recognizing the complex health challenges that often accompany homelessness. Her work reflects the hands-on commitment and deep respect for clients.” Dr. Wong also plays a key organizing and coordination role within the Chicago Homelessness and Health Response Group for Equity (CHHRGE) Advocacy Communications Committee.
John N. Lozier Scholarship for New Members
Shasha Jones, Janian Medical Care
Originally from Jamaica, Ms. Shasha Jones began her journey in homeless healthcare as a security guard and security supervisor in homeless shelters in New York City. Ms. Jones worked in facilities with co-located medical services provided by Janian Medical Care. Through her collaboration with on-site healthcare teams, Shasha was inspired to pursue Medical Assistant training and began working with Janian Medical Care as a Medical Assistant. Ms. Jones now works directly with patients in shelter and permanent supportive housing programs, serving individuals currently and formerly experiencing homelessness. At this time, Ms. Jones is also completing her educational requirements to become an RN, while maintaining full-time employment at Janian.
