Salinas Valley Health Patient Experience Coordinator Receives STAR Award

Media Contact: Karina Rusk
831-759-1843

SALINAS, CA, October 5, 2018- Salinas Valley Health has recognized Cynthia Vargas with the STAR Award for the compassionate care and service she provides patients. Vargas is a Patient Experience Coordinator who exemplifies the Salinas Valley Health STAR values- Support, Teamwork, Accountability and Respect. She received the STAR Award in a special ceremony at the hospital and will be recognized by the publicly elected board of directors during the board’s October meeting.

“It’s an honor to receive this award,” says Cynthia Vargas, Patient Experience Coordinator. “I love my job because it allows me the opportunity to help people and I’m very fortunate to work with so many talented and caring people who provide exceptional patient care. I feel truly blessed and grateful to work at Salinas Valley Health Medical Center”.

Vargas joined Salinas Valley Health in November of 2009 as a Volunteer Services Assistant. Five years later, she transferred to the Patient Experience Department where she works as a Patient Experience Coordinator.

“Cynthia goes above and beyond to support the needs of our patients,” says Tiffany DiTullio, Chief Administrative Officer, Patient Experience & Community Wellness. “She is a very generous and compassionate person and truly has an impact in the lives of our patients.”

A colleague nominated Vargas for the STAR Award noting on two occasions Vargas has been especially considerate of patients without a home. That colleague shared that Vargas brought a sleeping bag from her home and gave it to a homeless patient who said her sleeping bag had been stolen. The employee also shared that prior to that gesture, Vargas had brought a pair of shoes belonging to her son and gave them to a homeless patient who didn’t have any footwear.

Several employees received STAR nominations in September including Nina Alamillo, Jody Beltran, Lindsay Gimelli, Karli Grajek, Laura Nunez, Christina Padilla, Irma Pedraza and Crystal Uribe. 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).