Salinas Valley Health Celebrates National Hospital Week

May 15, 2024- Salinas Valley Health is celebrating National Hospital Week with a variety of activities and a theme of Rising to Gold: Achieving Excellence Every Day. An all-staff Wednesday afternoon barbeque and awards event is an annual favorite, sporting an Olympic flair this year. The Medical Center’s leadership team presented several peer-nominated awards to staff at Wednesday’s highlight event which includes a buffet, music, photo wall and the highly anticipated team and individual recognition ceremony.

“We are grateful every day for the caliber of our staff and the quality of care they provide to everyone in our community,” says Allen Radner, MD, Salinas Valley Health Interim President/CEO. “This week is extra special though as we set aside time to come together and celebrate what makes our team so unique. There’s a deep commitment to quality and achieving those shared goals results in a genuine camaraderie among our staff.”

Salinas Valley Health recognizes people in numerous categories reflecting the organization’s STAR values which stand for Support, Teamwork, Accountability and Respect as well as Exemplars in the Magnet Program recognizing nursing excellence. Salinas Valley Health achieved ANCC Magnet Recognition® in 2021, a designation achieved by less than 10% of hospitals nationwide. Earlier this month, Salinas Valley Health also received its tenth consecutive ‘A’ Patient Safety rating from The Leapfrog Group.

“We achieve national recognition on quality measures because our organization engages our nurses and staff in creating evidence based policies and an exceptional work environment,” says Lisa Paulo, MSN/MPA, RN, CENP, Salinas Valley Health Chief Nursing Officer. “This week reflects the spirit of our teamwork, passion for our profession and our appreciation for one another.”

Highlights of National Hospital Week at Salinas Valley Health include a free barbeque for all staff, complimentary chair massages, appreciation gifts, raffle, photos, and Meet and Greet poster sessions showcasing the efforts of the more than 700 nurses at Salinas Valley Health in the areas of education, evidence based practice, performance improvement, quality improvement, research and leadership. The Poster Expo runs through Friday which coincides with the three year anniversary of achieving ANCC Magnet Recognition®.

The Salinas Valley Health 2024 National Hospital Week honorees are as follows:

Employee of the Year: Timothy France, Information Technology

Nurse of the Year: Anna Mercado, RN, Oncology

Physician Excellence in Service and Professionalism: Alison Wilson, DO, Hospitalist

Exemplar Award – Heal: Rebecca Salvador-Mendoza, RN, Emergency Department

Exemplar Award – Protect: Meghan Ackerman, RN, Outpatient Infusion

Exemplar Award – Empower: Cecilia Alejandre, RN, Radiology

Exemplar Award – Teach: Laurel Black, RN ICU/CCU

Exemplar Award – Support: Mari-Anne Low, Magnet Program

Exemplar Award – Teamwork: Cheryl Bacon, Patient Care Resources

Exemplar Award – Accountability: Stephanie Sterner, Occupational Therapy

Exemplar Award – Respect: Rodolfo Recta, Materials Management

Team Daisy Award: Pediatrics

Team STAR Award: Environmental Services