City of Salinas Honors Salinas Valley Health Champions

Media Contact: Karina Rusk
831-759-1843

June 20, 2023 – Elected leaders with the City of Salinas presented three members of Salinas Valley Health with Salinas City of Champions certificates. The official presentations took place at Tuesday’s regularly scheduled council meeting.

Gael Loris, Norma Coyazo, RN and Erica Locke, MD received the recognition for going above and beyond the call of duty. The city awards follow a celebration last month at Salinas Valley Health during which the three received top awards for National Nurses and Hospital Week.

The Salinas City Council Commendation presented to each, honors the individuals for their dedication and exemplary service and commitment to the City of Salinas community. The certificates are signed by the six council members and Mayor.

Gael Lewis, with 42 years of service at Salinas Valley Health in the pharmacy was named 2023 Employee of the Year, Norma Coyazo, RN in Labor and Delivery was named Nurse of the Year and Dr. Erica Locke, Emergency Medicine received Physician Excellence honors for her service and professionalism, specifically around her advocacy and community outreach on the issues of behavioral health and substance use disorder.