Salinas Valley Health Clinical Coordinator Receives STAR Award

Media Contact: Karina Rusk
831-759-1843

SALINAS, CA, DECEMBER 18, 2017- Salinas Valley Health has recognized Joel Castillo with the STAR Award for the exceptional and compassionate care he provides patients. Castillo is a clinical coordinator for the Angio Special Procedures Department who exemplifies the Salinas Valley Health STAR values- Support, Teamwork, Accountability and Respect. He received the STAR Award in a special ceremony at the hospital.

“This is such a nice surprise,” says Joel Castillo, Clinical Coordinator. “I love taking care of people. My goal is to treat patients like they are my family. This is something my colleagues and I always do. I’m grateful to work at Salinas Valley Health and to have an impact in our community.”

Castillo joined Salinas Valley Health in June of 1999 as a Radiology Tech for the Diagnostic Imaging Department and has been a clinical coordinator since September 2012. The publicly elected Board of Directors will honor Castillo during its January meeting.

A co-worker who nominated Castillo for the STAR award expressed, “Joel makes every patient feel special and relaxed and well cared for. In addition to his superior patient care, he is an expert in his role and is a great resource for nurses, fellow techs and physicians.” That person added that Castillo always plays the patient’s favorite music in the procedure room and that he is kind, warm and very funny.

“Joel always provides exceptional care to our patients,” says Gina Ramirez, Director of Imaging Services at Salinas Valley Health. “He goes out of his way to make our patients feel comfortable and is a great team player. We are all extremely fortunate he is a part of the team.”

Other outstanding employees receiving STAR nominations this month include Fidelia Calderon, Amelia Ruiz, Juanita Silva-Jaime, Leticia Suarez, Norma Suarez, and Norma Torres. Every month, Salinas Valley Health recognizes an outstanding employee with a STAR Award (for all staff) or a DAISY Award (for nurses). Nomination forms and drop boxes are located throughout the hospital. To learn more about the awards visit Nurse Recognition | Salinas Valley Health or STAR Award | Monterey County Health System (SalinasValleyHealth.com).