(LANCASTER, Calif., August 12, 2026) — At a time when the nation faces a growing demand for nurses, Antelope Valley Medical Center (AVMC) is proud to recognize a remarkable family whose commitment to patient care spans three generations and more than four decades of service.
What began as a mother's determination to provide for her family has grown into a legacy of compassion, resilience, and dedication to healthcare.
For Pat, 72, nursing was not a childhood dream—it was a lifeline. After her husband was diagnosed with cancer, Pat spent two years caring for him while raising three young children. Countless hours in the hospital exposed her to the impact nurses have on patients and families during their most difficult moments.
"All I focused on was that I had to support my children, and that seemed like the best way to do it," Pat recalled.
At age 40, Pat earned her nursing degree and joined what was then Antelope Valley Hospital. Over the next three decades, she built a career defined by service and compassion, laying the foundation for a family tradition that continues today.
Her daughter, Terryl, 52, witnessed that journey firsthand. Inspired by the nurses who cared for her father and by her mother's determination to reinvent herself, Terryl became a volunteer candy striper at age 14 before enrolling in nursing school at 22.
"Watching my mom go through all that and then seeing the pride that she was experiencing, I decided I was going to go to nursing school, and I did," said Terryl.
Today, with eight years of dedicated service at AVMC, Terryl serves as House Supervisor, helping lead clinical operations and supporting staff throughout the hospital.
The legacy did not stop there.
Terryl's daughters, Tayler, 31, and Amanda, 25, grew up hearing stories from their grandmother's nursing career and watching their mother's passion for the profession. Neither was pressured to become a nurse, in fact, both considered other careers. Yet both ultimately found themselves following the same path.
"I can't say that I encouraged them," Pat said.
"You never said I had to be a nurse," Terryl responded, "but I think you led the way."
For Tayler, the inspiration was simple.
"She just knows everything, and I want to be like that," she said of her mother.
Today, both sisters serve as registered nurses in the Emergency Department at Antelope Valley Medical Center—the same hospital where their mother and grandmother built their careers.
Their story comes at a critical moment for the nursing profession. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the U.S. is projected to need approximately 189,100 new registered nurses each year through 2034 to meet demand and replace retiring nurses. Federal workforce projections also estimate a shortage of more than 267,000 full-time registered nurses nationwide by 2028, with California expected to be among the states facing the greatest need. Encouragingly, enrollment in Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs increased by 4.9% in 2024, adding more than 12,000 students nationwide and signaling renewed interest in nursing careers.
While nursing can be deeply rewarding, all three generations acknowledge the challenges that come with the profession.
Pat describes nursing as "the most rewarding job that I've ever had," while recognizing that the responsibility doesn't always end when the shift is over.
Terryl speaks candidly about the importance of preventing burnout and prioritizing self-care.
"We nurses tend to become our work deeply," she said. "It's important to step back, reset, and find joy outside of work."
Amanda experienced those challenges firsthand while working full-time and attending nursing school. She remembers feeling "on autopilot" and "like a zombie" at times, but persevered by reminding herself, "I've gotten this far. There's no way I can give up now."
For AVMC Chief Executive Officer Edward Mirzabegian, the family's story reflects the values that define nursing and the organization's mission.
"Pat, Terryl, Tayler, and Amanda represent the very best of their profession. Their story is a powerful reminder that nursing is more than a career—it is a calling rooted in compassion and service to others. We’re proud to celebrate families like theirs, whose dedication strengthens our organization and inspires the next generation of caregivers," said Edward Mirzabegian, Chief Executive Officer, Antelope Valley Medical Center.
Today, the four women represent more than 40 years of combined nursing service and a family deeply woven into the fabric of Antelope Valley Medical Center.
Looking back on the journey, Terryl perhaps says it best:
"Nursing has truly been a family calling for us."
For three generations, that calling has led one family to serve the same community through the same hospital, creating a rare and enduring legacy that continues to inspire colleagues and future nurses alike.
Photo courtesy of Terryl Call.
Photo caption: (l to r) Tayler, Terryl, Pat, and Amanda – Registered Nurses from Antelope Valley Medical Center.
About Antelope Valley Medical Center
Antelope Valley Medical Center (AVMC) is the leading hospital in the heart of the Antelope Valley, delivering high-quality, compassionate healthcare to the community since 1955. As a 420-bed, full-service, acute-care hospital, AVMC offers comprehensive medical services, including emergency care, advanced surgical procedures, maternity and neonatal care, cardiovascular care, and the region’s only trauma center, pediatric and inpatient behavioral health unit. With a focus on innovation and compassionate care, AVMC is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the communities it serves. For more information, visit www.avmc.org, call (661) 949-5000, or follow us at @avmedicalcenter.
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