Compassion

Angel Itzael Montoya Meza Maintenance

Nominated by Evelin Hernandez, CMA After leaving work I noticed my car had a flat tire. Angel saw my co-workers and myself struggling and offered to help place the spare time on. I am very grateful he was willing to help. He was leaving work and stayed to help me under the hot sun. Angel choosing to take time away from home and helping me is why I nominate him for the Compassion award.

Compassion

Sonia Garcia
Pharmacy Technician

Nominated by Liberty Espinoza, Director of Surgical Services I am honored to nominate Sonia Garcia for the iCARE Compassion Award. Yesterday, Sonia demonstrated an extraordinary level of empathy and care for a patient who was experiencing a deeply vulnerable moment. The patient had an accident and was visibly upset and embarrassed. Sonia responded with grace and compassion—helping the patient and then discreetly pulling the car around to a private area so the patient could leave in privacy. Sonia even provided chemo mats to further provider care for the patient, showing not only thoughtfulness but a deep understanding of the patient’s emotional and physical needs. Her actions preserved the patient’s dignity and comfort in a way that went far beyond her job duties. Sonia’s kindness and quick thinking turned a difficult situation into one of care and support, and she truly exemplifies the spirit of iCARE.

Compassion

Adrian Orrantia Nor-Lea Cancer Center Manager

Nominated by Nor-Lea Cancer Center Staff  It was difficult choosing which iCare value to choose for this nomination as Adrian is a perfect example of someone who lives all the values. He is respectful to all patients and his fellow employees, empowering everyone to reach their full potential and advocating for patient care and safety. But most of all he is compassionate as both a manager and a nurse, which is what I would like to highlight in this nomination. He is compassionate to his coworkers, always listening to everyone's concerns and working for solutions to make the workplace the best it could be for everyone. Everyone feels comfortable approaching him for any questions or concerns anyone has, and he always meets everyone with kindness, understanding, and patience, even when he is extremely busy with a to-do list of what seems like a million things. Even though he is always busy with manager things and meetings, he never fails to help everywhere he can. If you can't find him in his office, you will probably find him helping position a patient for radiation treatment, accessing a port for a patient's chemo treatment, or just simply grabbing a water or warm blanket for a patient. Even in a manager position, he always extends true compassion and concern for all the patients that walk through this hospital. There are many patients who know him by name and ask how he is doing. There is one patient in particular who feels most comfortable with Adrian and requests he help him when he comes in for his appointment. Adrian always accommodates this patient in his schedule to make sure he is available and here for the patient when he comes in. There are many examples of his compassion that I could write but I will just include one for now. It was a very busy day in clinic, radiation and infusion. There was a patient who was having car trouble and many people tried to figure out what was wrong but no one could find a solution. So the patient was still here after a long day. Adrian continually checked up on the patient to see if any progress has been made, and made sure the patient and family member were taken care of with drinks, snacks, and lunch. After others had no luck, Adrian began assessing the situation and after spending quite some time looking at the car, he realized it was the battery to the key fob that had died and was the reason the car would not start. Adrian then drove to the store, purchased the battery himself, and helped the patient change the battery. The car finally started and the patient was able to head home after a long day. This is just one of the many examples of his compassion. In the midst of his packed schedule with meetings and manager duties, he never fails to make time to extend compassion to all those around him, coworkers and patients alike. Thank you Adrian for everything you do

Empowerment

Julie Holmsley
Occupational Therapist

Nominated by Holly Reid, Rehab Services Manager
Julie Holmsley has gone above and beyond in demonstrating true compassion, persistence, and dedication in supporting a young girl with severe, though undiagnosed, autism. What might seem like a routine task—getting a haircut—turned into a four-month journey of trust-building, therapeutic support, and advocacy.

When Julie began working with the child, she presented with severely matted hair and could barely tolerate touch, particularly on her head. Due to profound sensory processing challenges, the idea of brushing, especially over matted areas, caused extreme distress. The child is non-verbal, rarely makes eye contact and experiences significant difficulty with any form of self-care or interaction. Her parents, facing their own personal challenges and misconceptions about autism, were unable to manage her hair care needs on their own. Recognizing both the immediate need and the deeper issues at play, Julie took action well beyond her standard duties. She continued to provide regular, compassionate therapy sessions specifically tailored to slowly desensitize the child to sensory input. Over months, she patiently worked to build trust, gently introducing touch and different textures, always following the child’s lead.

Julie also identified a local salon willing to help, educated the staff on how to accommodate sensory needs, coordinated the appointment, and provided follow-up reminders to the parents to ensure the visit would be successful. Her dedication ensured that this little girl finally received the care she desperately needed in a way that felt safe, supportive, and respectful. Julie’s intervention prevented a possible referral for medical neglect, a situation no one wanted but that could have resulted without her persistence. She bridged the gap between good intentions and needed action, advocating for the child’s comfort and dignity in every step of the process. The outcome is not just cosmetic. With the matting gone, Julie is now helping the child learn to tolerate regular brushing—by both others and herself. These seemingly small victories are, in truth, life-changing. They represent empowerment, confidence, and progress. Because of Julie’s care, the child is also beginning to engage in new sensory experiences. For instance, she recently played in an oatmeal sensory bin, a huge leap forward from when such activities weren’t even remotely possible.

Julie’s efforts are a powerful reminder of what happens when a provider leads with both skill and heart. Her work didn’t just resolve a health issue, it opened the door to developmental growth, greater family support, and a future full of new possibilities for a child who had once been nearly unreachable.

Accountability

Miriam Padilla
Certified Medical Assistant

Nominated by Ake Evans, M.D. It is my privilege to nominate Miriam Padilla for recognition in the area of accountability. Miriam embodies the very best qualities of a dedicated and dependable employee. She consistently demonstrates reliability, initiative and an unwavering commitment to both her colleagues and our patients.

Miriam is always present and engaged, approaching each day with a strong work ethic and a positive attitude. What sets her apart is her willingness to step beyond the boundaries of her designated responsibilities in order to support the team. She routinely assists in multiple areas of the clinic, pre-procedure, post-procedure and during procedures, regardless of whether the tasks fall directly within her role. This flexibility reflects her deep sense of accountability and her commitment to ensuring that the clinic runs smoothly and efficiently.

Her attentiveness to the needs of patients is exceptional. Miriam consistently goes above and beyond to make sure that each patient feels supported, cared for and understood. She frequently provides translation services, bridging language gaps and ensuring that communication is clear, compassionate and respectful. In doing so, she not only enhances the quality of care but also strengthens the trust that patients place in our team.

Equally important, Miriam contributes positively to the morale of her coworkers. Her helpful nature, readiness to step in wherever she is needed and uplifting attitude create a supportive environment that benefits the entire staff. She is a dependable team player who leads by example, demonstrating accountability not only in her own duties but also in her commitment to the success of others.

For these reasons, I wholeheartedly nominate Miriam Padilla for recognition. Her daily actions and dedication exemplify true accountability, and I believe she is highly deserving of this honor.

Accountability

Shayla Williams Patient Services Representative

Nominated by Sara Marquez, Cardiovascular Technologist Approximately eight years ago, I performed an echocardiogram on a young military veteran whose results revealed a severely reduced ejection fraction—a key indicator of how effectively the heart pumps blood. The condition deeply concerned me, and over the years, I often found myself wondering about the patients health and whether they received the care they desperately needed. By chance, the day before the Fourth of July holiday, this same veteran returned for another echocardiogram. I recognized the patient immediately. Seeing the familiar name and face brought back all the concerns I had carried for years. After scanning the heart, I felt it was imperative that they receive specialized follow-up care. I shared these concerns with Shayla, and her response was nothing short of extraordinary. Shayla took immediate and compassionate action. She guided me through the appropriate steps to obtain a referral from the ordering physician and took ownership of the process from start to finish. She ensured that the referral documentation was accurately completed and submitted to the appropriate contact at the VA. Shayla took the initiative to follow up directly with the VA to confirm receipt and progress of the referral. Thanks to her persistence and dedication, Shayla was able to expedite the process and secure a timely appointment for the veteran with Dr. Sharma, despite his already full schedule. Her commitment ensured that this veteran, who had long been at risk due to poor cardiac function, was finally connected with the cardiology care they urgently needed. Shayla's actions exemplify true accountability and compassion. She not only listened but acted decisively and followed through to ensure that no barriers stood in the way of this patient receiving essential care. Her commitment made a meaningful difference in someone’s life, and for that, I am incredibly grateful.

Innovation

Grace Caltagirone Physical Therapist

Nominated by Holly Reid, Rehab Services Manager Grace is one of the most empowering and compassionate therapists on our team, but where she has truly stood out over the past few months is through her innovation. As the lead therapist for Inpatient Rehab, she has consistently earned glowing praise from patients during their hospital stay.

Each week, Grace reviews multiple swing-bed submissions to determine whether patients qualify for our program or would be better served elsewhere. This spring, we saw many patients eager to come to Nor-Lea’s Swing Bed Program—often because of personal or family experiences with surrounding SNFs and nursing homes. Unfortunately, some patients’ needs exceeded what our program could provide. After encountering several challenging cases, Grace took initiative. She requested permission to visit nearby SNFs and nursing homes, both to compare services and to identify opportunities for Nor-Lea to grow.

After seeing firsthand why so many patients preferred Nor-Lea’s Swing Bed Program, Grace began developing strategies to expand our capacity. She partnered with Terri and the Med-Surg floor on multiple projects to strengthen the inpatient rehab program and improve the overall patient experience. Her initiatives have included:

• Securing new gait belts to support safer transfers for both staff and patients.

• Acquiring updated assistive devices.

• Leading hands-on training sessions for safe transfers.

• Collaborating with construction to place hallway markers for ambulation tracking.

Although we haven’t yet seen a measurable increase in swing-bed admissions, we anticipate growth within the next year thanks to Grace’s groundwork. She has also volunteered to revise our Swing Bed Program pamphlet and will be visiting surrounding hospitals to share information about our program and requirements—helping ensure that incoming referrals are strong candidates from the start.

Through her dedication and forward-thinking approach, Grace has strengthened our Swing Bed Program and created new opportunities for patients to receive the care they need close to home. Without her efforts, patients might have faced prolonged hospital stays away from their families—or worse, declined beyond the ability to transition to rehab or return home.

Grace’s leadership is positioning our Swing Bed Program to become yet another area where Nor-Lea delivers a patient experience that exceeds industry standards.

Accountability

Grace Griffin
Center for Innovation Manager

Nominated by Bryan Welch, COO When Grace was appointed as the leader of the Center of Innovation, she immediately recognized and filled a critical gap within the organization. In a process-driven culture built on quality, Lean, and Six Sigma, Grace saw an opportunity to weave innovation into the very fabric of how we work. By expertly integrating innovation with proven continuous improvement practices, she has created a powerful framework that is moving our organization forward with confidence and creativity. Grace understands that innovation is an essential capability for staying agile and competitive in a constantly changing marketplace. Through her innovative teaching methods, she is equipping colleagues at every level of the organization with the tools, confidence, and mindset needed to generate new ideas, solve complex problems, and turn vision into reality. Her efforts align seamlessly with our iCare values, particularly Innovation and Empowerment. By sharing her knowledge and fostering a culture of curiosity, experimentation, and creative problem-solving, Grace is developing individual and building organizational resilience. Looking ahead, our organization will face increasing pressures and challenges. Thanks to Grace’s leadership, the innovation mindsets and practices cultivated in her classes will provide a foundation for aligning strategic objectives with operational realities and dynamic market conditions. For her vision, dedication, and transformative impact, Grace is a truly deserving recipient of the Exceptional Care Award for Innovation.

Nominated by BranDee Savell, CNO Grace's passion for the Center for Innovation and it's success has been the engine that drives innovation across Nor-Lea. She has exponentially grown the Lean Six Sigma program and spurred improvements across the organization that has resulted in saved lives, dollars saved, improved services, improved workflows and improved workforce engagement. Thank you Grace for your continuous improvement work for Nor-Leayou bring to us all while you do it. You sense of humor is unmatched and I, like many others, really appreciate serving alongside you!