The life, legacy, and unwavering commitment to the community of social worker Alberto Rangel was honored at the Show of Hope gala on April 4, 2026, presented by the San Francisco Community Health Center.
Rangel worked in the HIV Clinic, Ward 86, at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. On December 4, 2025, he was stabbed to death by patient Wilfredo Tortolero-Arriechi in a hallway of the ward. Rangel was 51. The incident has highlighted growing safety concerns for staff at this and other hospitals. Members of the San Francisco Bay Times team have also witnessed patients—often on drugs and/or mentally ill—attacking social workers, nurses, and other staff at hospitals.
Rangel, through his dedicated work and compassion, touched the lives of many. As the Dean of the UCSF School of Medicine, Talmadge E. King, Jr., wrote: “Alberto was a cherished member of the UCSF and ZSFG teams—a warm, dedicated, and deeply compassionate behavioral health clinician who devoted his career to supporting patients during their most vulnerable moments.
He was known for his kindness, his ability to meet people with humanity and respect, and his unwavering belief in the dignity of every person he served. Through his work, Alberto touched countless lives, offering comfort, connection, and healing to patients, families, and colleagues alike.”
He is survived by his husband, Stuart Moulder, who shared more about Rangel’s life and legacy in an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle:
In Memoriam
Published on April 9, 2026
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