Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System (SVMHS) has recognized Jackie
Esparza-Valdez with the STAR Award for her extraordinary compassion, knowledge,
insight, and dedication to patients. Esparza-Valdez is a Certified Nurse
Aide who exemplifies the SVMHS STAR values- Support, Teamwork, Accountability
and Respect. She received the STAR Award in a special ceremony at the
hospital and was recognized by the publicly elected Board of Directors
during the board’s January meeting.
“This is such an honor,” says Jackie Esparza-Valdez, CNA, HHA
a nurse aide in the OrthoNeuro Spine Unit at Salinas Valley Memorial.
“When I walk in to the hospital, it feels like home. I take care
of our patients as if they were my parents, sisters, aunts, uncles, and
grandparents. I see them like family and I work with an amazing team.”
Jackie Esparza-Valdez began working at SVMHS as a Nurse Aide in the Oncology
Department in February of 1998. After working in that department for 17
years, she transferred to the OrthoNeuro and Spine Unit. This is Jackie’s
4th nomination for the STAR Award.
“Jackie is one of our exceptional nurse aides,” says Christie
Gonder, RN, Chief Nursing Officer at Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare
System. “Every day she provides compassionate and exceptional care
to our patients. She does her work with a smile which makes our patients
feel at home.”
A patient wrote that after surgery, Esparza-Valdez taught her how to push
herself up on the bed to avoid causing pain. That person also wrote that
Jackie was always very attentive to her needs. A co-worker praised Jackie
for going above and beyond in taking care of patients, writing “I
love the care Jackie provides, I want to clone her.” Another colleague
complimented Jackie for being “kind, compassionate and for always
being willing to help.”
Several outstanding employees received STAR nominations including Miranda
Aguilar, Aida Aromin, Xochil Benting, Christina Correa, Matt Countryman,
Liz Garcia, Cyndie Mar, Dolores Martinez, Ariel Mendoza, Norma Merser,
Maria Meza, Crystal Morales, Maria Navarro, Christina Padilla, Jeanette
Pineda, Renee Salazar, Aida Solorio-Holman, Shalong "Noi" Teats,
Angelica Villarreal, Carolyn Yoakum, and Nellie Zambrano.
Every month, Salinas Valley Memorial recognizes an outstanding employee
with a STAR Award (for all staff) or a DAISY Award (for nurses). Nomination
forms and drop boxes are located throughout the hospital. To learn more
about the awards visit
svmh.com/nomination.