Service Awards highlight employee excellence
Sun Health celebrated some of its best and brightest employees at the inaugural Service Awards banquet held Sept. 19 at Grandview Terrace. Almost 100 employees and their guests gathered for a night featuring a gourmet dinner, socializing and recognition – lots of well-deserved recognition.
Earlier this year, employees nominated co-workers for recognition in four categories:
- Innovator And Creator Of Efficiencies – I.C.E.
- Excellence In Growth And Education
- Creative Initiatives
- Customer Service Excellence
A cross section of Sun Health directors and managers judged the nomination submissions and narrowed it down to three finalists in each category. An outside judge determined the winners. Below is a list of this year’s finalists and winners in the four categories, along with names of employees celebrating longevity milestones with Sun Health, who were also guests at the banquet. Â
INNOVATOR AND CREATOR OF EFFICIENCIES – I.C.E.
Finalists: Neal Smith, Grandview Terrace; Julie Bressler, Grandview Terrace; Delfina Santillan, The Colonnade
Winner: Neal Smith, Director of Environmental Services
“When it comes to managing given resources, Neal knows how to make it the best. In the past two years he has submitted various ideas on cost saving and we were able to implement them at the Grandview Terrace campus.”
EXCELLENCE IN GROWTH AND EDUCATION
Finalists: Tracy Garrett, Center for Health & Wellbeing; Ben Soriano, Grandview Terrace; Priscilla Turner, Grandview Terrace
Winner: Ben Soriano, Lead Maintenance Tech, Environmental Services Department
“Ben has repeatedly demonstrated his willingness to learn new skills and has shown great improvement… [He] started his journey as a general maintenance technician and now, after demonstrating a commitment to his company, he occupies a lead role as GVT’s maintenance supervisor.” Note: Ben recently passed the exam to become a U.S. citizen. He’s currently attending a vocational school to improve his reading and writing skills.
CREATIVE INITIATIVES
Finalists:Â Paula Sikes, The Colonnade; Neal Smith, Grandview Terrace; Sandy Sweezey, La Loma Village
Winner: Sandy Sweezey, Life Enrichment Coordinator
“Sandy’s position as life enrichment coordinator requires her to think outside of the box and invites a constant change into the daily events…She helps residents with personal computers, helps them get their groceries to their apartment, and provides a sympathetic ear when residents need someone to talk to…above and beyond the calling of her job.”
CUSTOMER SERVICE EXCELLENCE
Finalists: Mark Joyce, Sun Health Senior Living; Gina McCully, Grandview Terrace; Travis Wallace, Grandview Care Center
Winner: Gina McCully, Interim Director of Finance – Grandview Terrace
“Gina is an incredible internal resource and is the go-to person whenever a resident has a question. They brag about her open door, her welcoming manner and her level of expertise. They all love Gina, and it is clear the feeling is mutual.”
LONGEVITY RECOGNITION
2 Years – Hilda Abarca, Shukura Adenola, George Alessi, Martina Alvarado, Cinthia Alvarado-Chavez, Darcy Andelin, Curtis Anderson, Daisy Avalos, Rogel Bacani, Rosie Lee Berres, Julie Bressler, Joseph Brewer, Carolyn Burdick , Elias Carreto, Nohemi Cisneros, Maria Collazo, Juanita Cuellar, Susan Davis, Coddie Decker, Robert Elliott, Penny Ford, Luisa Galve, Roma Gebru, Edgar Godoy, Enoe Guerrero, Sonia Gutierrez, Pedro Hernandez, Karamjit Khangura, Pamela Kohnen, Lorissa Kyle, Leslie Longacre, Kiara Love, Maritess Manas, N. Gayle Marlett, Jose Marquez, Anastasie Mbazumutima, Ashley McCausland, Jonathan McDonald, Katherine McDonnell, Zackary Morris, Doina Mozolik, Nestor Munoz, Benilde Mwiseneza, Allison Nachtigall, Andre Oakley, Vanessa Palahang, Afua Prause, David Price, Jose Prieto, Daniel Ramsey, Kathi Ransier, Ken Reinstein, Veronica Resendes, Sylvia Reyes, Julia Serrano, Isaac Sharpnack, Priscilla Turner, Lourdes Valencia, Alejandrina Vargas, Nancy Wilson, Marian York, Rhonda Zonoozi              .
5 Years – Duraid Anderios, Narmeen Aderios, Nora Anderios, Cesar Camacho, Patrizia Colangelo, Linda Davenport, Manpreet Dhaliwal, Joyce Evenson, Ashley Hannan, Fabian Hernandez, Paticia Hession, Christopher Jones, Leigh Kuaea, Brian Lapre, Ana Morales, Porfirio Ruiz, Jose Soriano, Christine Spiwak, Martina Terriquez, Adelita Valenzuela, Maria Villegas, Love Vizor
10 Years – Helen Bone, Jenny Bradley, Tina Chaffins, Jose Gonzalez, Thomas McGrath, Veronica Ndaka, Neal Smith
15 Years – Maria Villasano
20 Years – Craig Schiedel
25 Years – Yolanda Mason
35 Years – Shirley Burnette
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