“Kaiser Permanente was founded on a better idea for health care to deliver personalized, seamless, and integrated experiences that focus on the whole person and keep communities healthy,” said Greg A. Adams, chair and chief executive officer, Kaiser Permanente. “Our integrated care and coverage model is built on teamwork and stands on our 80-year history of bringing together doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and care teams to deliver high-quality, compassionate care and service. Together, we will continue to improve health for the members, patients, and communities we have the honor of serving.”
The float also highlights innovation, research, and technology as drivers for better health outcomes. For example, an animated MRI machine symbolizes early detection through advanced imaging.
Surrounding these elements are vibrant floral displays that represent vitality and warmth. Together, they reflect Kaiser Permanente’s integrated care approach, where innovation, compassion, and teamwork come together to support health and well-being.
Kaiser Permanente members, employees, and doctors will ride on and walk alongside the float. Each person represents an inspiring story of how teamwork supports and transforms health journeys.
Kaiser Permanente member float riders
Phillip Escalante was 9 and a half years old when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. He received coordinated care at the Kaiser Permanente Anaheim and Fontana medical centers. Nurses, doctors, pharmacy teams, lab technicians, cleaning staff, and café workers worked together to support him. They treated him like family and empowered him to participate in decisions about his care. Escalante, now 16 and a half years old, is in remission and doing well. He will ride on the float with 2 nurses who cared for him when he had cancer.
Cathy Hays has been a Kaiser Permanente member since 1984. She credits her care team with saving her life during a severe Crohn’s disease flare in 2018. Hays values Kaiser Permanente’s integrated, whole-person approach. Doctors and other clinicians work together to support every part of her health. And because everything is under one roof, she can get tests, imaging, pharmacy services, and more without driving all over town. She will ride on the float with the surgeon who acted quickly in 2018 when she became septic, her inflammatory bowel disease pharmacist, and her personal doctor.
Shanell Holland has been a Kaiser Permanente member since 2015. In June of 2025, she welcomed her first child, a baby boy. Her pregnancy came with 2 serious health challenges. At 20 weeks, she developed a fibroid — a growth in her uterus — that began to break down. Later, she got a severe, itchy rash called PUPPP, which dermatologists helped manage. Throughout her pregnancy, Holland felt supported by Kaiser Permanente’s integrated care. Her team included a midwife, and she received doula services and lactation support. After giving birth, she faced mild postpartum depression and received compassionate mental health care. Holland values how every member of her care team worked together to make her feel seen, supported, and safe. She will ride on the float with her ob-gyn and lactation consultant.
Ty Labbe is a retired Los Angeles County Sheriff’s homicide detective. He’s been a Kaiser Permanente patient since 2023. In 2024, he was diagnosed with Stage 4A squamous cell carcinoma. His care team worked together to provide precise, compassionate treatment, including an innovative “Jaw in a Day” surgery. This groundbreaking procedure removed the cancer and rebuilt his jaw in one operation using bone and tissue from his leg and custom 3D-designed dental implants. Labbe, whose cancer is now in remission, values Kaiser Permanente’s integrated, team-based approach. He will ride on the float with his surgeon and one of the nurses who played a key role in his surgery.
Float designer and builder
“A Better Idea for Health Care,” Kaiser Permanente’s 20th Rose Parade entry, will be designed and built by Phoenix Decorating Company.
Kaiser Permanente Rose Parade history and background
Kaiser Permanente’s past float entries have received numerous awards, including:
- Wrigley Legacy Award in 2025 for most outstanding display of floral presentation, float design, and entertainment
- President Award in 2024 for most outstanding use and presentation of flowers
- Theme Award in 2022 for most outstanding presentation of the Rose Parade theme
- Wrigley Legacy Award in 2020 for most outstanding display of floral presentation, float design, and entertainment
- Grand Marshal’s Trophy in 2016
- Judges’ Special Trophy in 2015 for the most spectacular in showmanship and dramatic impact
- Theme Trophy in 2013 for excellence in presenting the parade theme
- Lathrop K. Leishman Trophy in 2012 and 2014 for the most beautiful float entry from a noncommercial sponsor
- Director's Trophy in 2006, 2008 and 2011 for most artistic merit in design and floral presentation
- Extraordinaire Trophy in 2010 for the “most spectacular” float longer than 55 feet
- Tournament Special Trophy in 2009 for exceptional merit in multiple classifications
- President's Trophy in 2007 for most effective floral use and presentation
For additional information about the 2026 Rose Parade, visit the Tournament of Roses website.
For more information about Kaiser Permanente’s 2026 Rose Parade float, follow Kaiser Permanente on Facebook and Instagram.
