Kwauku “K.B.” Boakye , PA -C, E-Blue
Nominated by Linda McGinnis, RN, BS, MA, Critical Care
K.B., a physician's assistant on F-Blue is professional, compassionate and renowned for providing exceptional patient care. He works closely with all the staff and is always ready and willing to respond to the requests of his patients. A true mentor and supportive team member, K.B.'s “above and beyond” attitude is second nature to him. Because of this, he is a tremendous asset to University Hospital .

Kareem Davis, Environmental Services
Nominated by Hassana Ali and Kia Abdus-Sabur
Kareem is a soft-spoken, gracious gentleman who truly deserves recognition. He sets a “Five Star” example by promptly and professionally responding to any housekeeping concern or request. When Kareem is responsible for cleaning a particular area – it's spotless! Kareem never displays a negative mood - as a matter of fact, he is always ready with a warm and welcoming smile!

Emma Fuentes, Environmental Services
Nominated by Eloisa Hufalar, RN, ANM, SICU and the SICU Staff
“It's a total pleasure to work with Emma,” reports the staff of the SICU. Emma, who has won the Five Star Award several times, works diligently to ensure the cleanliness of the SICU. She also acknowledges and understands that the patients always come first. Emma has excellent customer service skills and because of this, has gained the respect of all those around her. She extends herself beyond her scope of duties and often interacts with patients and their families, acting as an interpreter and liaison.

Johnean Headon, RN, Emergency Department
Nominated by Linda McGinnis, RN, BS, MA, Critical Care
As the Assistant Nurse Manager of the Emergency Department, Johnean is a true professional who is dedicated, caring and compassionate. When employees or their family members suddenly find themselves as a patient in our Emergency Department, Johnean personally oversees their care to ensure that they receive Five Star Service (as she does for all the patients.) Johnean is a sincere patient advocate, always striving to provide a comfortable and safe environment while patients await their bed. Because Johnean is constantly striving to removing obstacles, she is highly instrumental in the success of our Emergency Department.

Nancy Hill, Human Resources
Nominated by Vangie Kupyak, RN, former Nurse Manager, SICU
Goal-oriented, industrious, gracious – these are just a few of the ways to describe Nancy Hill. As a nursing recruiter, Nancy is as pleasant and courteous to the candidates as she is to the managers with whom she works. Despite heavy work loads and tight time constraints, Nancy never changes her demeanor. When Nancy is asked to solve a problem or follow up on an issue, you can consider it done.

Adena Homnick , PA -C, E-Blue
Nominated by Linda McGinnis, RN, BS, MA, Critical Care
Adena, a physician's assistant in the Trauma Unit, is a first-class professional who is both a leader and a mentor. A constant source of inspiration to the staff, Adena goes out of her way to teach, answer questions and coach nursing students who are involved in clinical rotations on her unit. Patients, as well as their loved ones are quick to recognize and appreciate Adena's compassionate nature and superlative clinical ability. Adena can often by heard stating “I love nurses!”

Robert Hoon, RN and Robert Rashatar, RN, Emergency Department
Nominated by Lois Hull, Patient Advocacy Department
Both of our magnificent “Roberts” regularly demonstrate compassion, skill and good humor in the performance of their duties. Recently, an elderly, cognitively impaired, physically disabled patient ended up in the Patient Advocacy office waiting for transportation. While waiting, the distraught patient started to flail about and fall from her wheelchair. Her overwhelmed daughter was unable to manage the situation or comfort her mother. Realizing the potential for danger, the manager of the department sought help and happened upon Mr. Hoon and Mr. Rashatar. Quickly they ran to the office, no questions asked. In short order, they had the patient securely back in her wheelchair and calmed down. The patient's daughter was reassured by their confident handling of the situation. These gentlemen turned a somewhat harrowing situation into a model of customer service excellence.

Eloisa Hufalar, RN, ANM, SICU
Nominated by Vangie Kupyak, former Nurse Manager, SICU
It's a blessing to have Eloisa in the SICU. Although she is just one person, she seems to have the energy, drive and enthusiasm of an entire team. She is a superior nurse clinically and also manages to take the time and interest to regularly reward and recognize her own staff. Eloisa is one of a kind – hard-working, dedicated, compassionate and skilled. If only we could all have her energy!

Marie LaFortune, RN, Recovery Room
Nominated by Linda McGinnis, RN, BS, MA, Critical Care
Although Marie has been with UH for only a short time, we have received a multitude of letters from patients and their families regarding her compassionate and empathetic care. Described by many as an “angel”, she takes special pride to ensure that her patient's cultural needs are met with respect and dignity. Working in the Recovery Room, Marie touches the lives of her patients and their families in an extraordinary way, with her acts of kindness, caring and love. She is well-respected and an example of how to be effective and successful, while being human.

Amy Lallier, Cerebrovascular Program, Division of Adult Neurology
Nominated by Dr. Adnan I. Qureshi, Cerebrovascular Program
Amy is the administrative assistant for University Hospital 's Cerebrovascular Program, one the largest stroke programs in the state. She is highly compassionate, patient and empathetic when dealing with patients and their families in a manner that makes her a role model for all hospital personnel. Amy has done a phenomenal job in conducting her responsibilities with the utmost dedication and humanism. She is highly sensitive to the complex issues and disabling consequences of the stroke patient and has received many compliments from patients and their families. Amy has taken the time to learn about the medical aspects of procedures and terminologies so she can explain these issues to the patients with a great level of understanding. She has even made the physicians draw diagrams to explain procedures so that she can share them with the patients and their families. Her conduct is impeccable.

Marty Montague, SICU
Nominated by Vangie Kupyak, former Nurse Manager, SICU
Marty is the epitome of team spirit! She is professional and highly proficient in customer courtesy. As a unit clerk, she is skilled in her administrative responsibilities, but highly agreeable (and very fast) when asked to run errands and perform tasks that will lighten the load of the nurses around her. Marty makes herself visible and available to staff, particularly in emergency situations. Polite on the phone, professional in appearance and gracious to all, Marty has mastered the art of making a great “First Impression.”

Laury Parham, Environmental Services
Nominated by Lois Hull, Patient Advocacy Department
Daily, Laury manages to keep the area in and around the hospital's main visitor area clean and neat. But recently, she performed above and beyond her usual duties. While working near the main entrance of the hospital, Laury observed a young child who had begun to stray from his grandmother. Suddenly, a strange woman took the child by the hand and unnoticed by others, including the child's grandmother, started to walk off with him. In a lobby full of people, only Laury took note. She approached the woman and called to the grandmother and, in short order, the child was back where he belonged. At that point, Security intervened and the woman was escorted to Psych Crisis. Fortunately for everyone Laury looked beyond her own self interest and choose to get involved.

Joe Tutt, EMS
Nominated by Diantha Clark, Poison Control Center
Ms. Clark had just finished her shift at the Poison Center and was heading home at 11:30 PM. Due to the extreme cold, her car died in a park a few miles from the hospital. Using her cell phone, she called her husband and then the Poison Control Center . The night shift worker notified EMS that Diantha was in trouble. Joe Tutt, EMS Supervisor, responded immediately, driving to the park to assist her. He provided a warm and safe place for Diantha to stay and remained with her until her husband arrived. Together, they pushed the car to a 24-hour gas station for the night. Joe's actions were extraordinary, as was his kindness and concern. He should be commended for his assistance, good old-fashioned common sense and positive spirit to help someone in need.

Jose Velazquez, Environmental Services
Nominated by Linda McGinnis, RN, BS, MA, Critical Care
Jose is an astute, professional, hard-working supervisor who is responsible for Environmental Services on E-level. He always manages to do the little things that make the big difference. No request is too small or too big for Jose. Recently, Jose obtained a crib for a child whose father was dying in the SICU. By doing this, the mother and child could be with the father during his last precious hours.
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