Phone Service Takes on New Meaning with STAR Award

Media Contact: Karina Rusk
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July 1, 2022 – Most everyone knows what it feels like to lose a phone. Panic may be too strong of a word however with the expense, hassle and all of the that data stored on our mobile devices these days, losing your phone is not a pleasant experience. Being able to help reunite someone with their missing device can be a reward in itself and at Salinas Valley Health, tracking down a patient’s missing phone resulted in a STAR Award for Santiago Alvarado, a longtime environmental services technician.

Santiago joined Salinas Valley Health in August 1998 and takes pride in displaying the organizations STAR values which stand for support, teamwork, accountability and respect. In his 23 year career at the medical center, Santiago has had many occasions to help patients, families and his fellow co-workers. One recent incident had such an impact, a colleague nominated Santiago for the monthly STAR recognition.

A nurse in the telemetry unit wrote that after a bed bath and linen change, a patient couldn’t find their phone and reported that it missing just before midnight. Santiago was making his rounds and the nurse asked if he had seen a phone in the laundry. Santiago had not, however proposed a plan to find it and called the nurse back in ten minutes.

The nurse wrote, “It took many attempts to call the cell phone so he could listen to all the laundry bags that were in the laundry room. Santiago was patient and persistent and luckily was able to locate the phone and get it back to the relieved and grateful patient.

Santiago received his crystal STAR Award and recognition plaque in a ceremony at the medical center. Also nominated for the latest STAR Award are Claudia Garcia, a cardiopulmonary tech assistant; Jaquelina Gomez-Martinez, another cardiopulmonary tech assistant, Kenneth Rose, a senior system technician in information technology; Yolanda Salazar, a nutrition services aide; and Brianne Silvestre, a unit aide II on telemetry.

Every month, Salinas Valley Health recognizes two extraordinary employees, one with a DAISY Award (for nurses) and another with a STAR Award (for all staff). Nominations can be submitted by patients, visitors and staff. Nomination forms and drop boxes are located throughout the medical center and online. To learn more about the awards visit Nurse Recognition | Salinas Valley Health or STAR Award | Monterey County Health System (SalinasValleyHealth.com).

Editor note: Photo attached: (L-R): Clement Miller, Salinas Valley Health Chief Operating Officer, Santiago Alvarado, STAR Award recipient and Christa McDowell, environmental services director.