This week is International Housekeepers & Environmental Services Week, September 12-18, 2021 celebrating and recognizing the efforts of hard-working custodial staff members, and environmental services professionals.
The Association for the Health Care Environment collected nominations that celebrate EVS 2021 Heroes on the Frontline of Health Care. This recognition program designed to highlight and lift up outstanding EVS personnel who are going above and beyond to make a difference during these very challenging times your healthcare facility and others are facing. These are our true heroes.
After more than a year on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, environmental service professionals have served as a source of comfort for patients not able to see loved ones, while maintaining rooms to the highest standards of cleanliness. EVS personnel are heroes deserving of recognition, but never forget they are human, too, and also may need care.
The 2021 Spotlight Honorees are:
- Maria G. Ramirez, UCI Medical Center, Orange, CA has sacrificed her weekends willingly to help cover the needs for the hospital, without it being overtime. She comes in every shift with a smile and even baked goods for her peers. Her energy is uplifting and contagious. In times of need, she will share and even sacrifice the supplies she has at the moment to be able to help others.
- Lavern Reyesn, Aiea, HI, EVS Supervisor at Pali Momi Medical Center in Aiea, HI, is a true leader. She exemplifies the qualities of distinction in service like no other. Like all of the EVS team members at Pali Momi, Lavern is dependable and skilled to handle the unexpected. In her role as an Environmental Services Supervisor at Pali Momi, she helps motivate, create and innovate to reach goals and tackle challenges with amazing effectiveness, grace and skill.
- Angela Blanco. Northside Hospital – Cherokee, Canton, GA was lauded by a number of patients that I thanked her you for everything she did while while they were patients in her hospital due to her diligence and kindness.
- Washington Reed, HHS, Jacksonville, TX is an outstanding role model for hospitality. He has such a kind spirit which allows Washington to foster a relationship with all staff in our facility. Through those relationships, he is able to bring joy to our environment as we battle COVID. His work is always his very best and his chipper attitude makes it just a little easier for our workspace.
- Eltevina Correo Garcia, Northside Hospital – Gwinnet, Lawrenceville, GA " is a tenured Gwinnett Medical Employee who always go above and beyond in here duties. She always does the right thing. She is full of faith and pride for who she is and how far she has come.”
