Super STAR Recognition

October 16, 2025 - When Melanio “Tito” Abalos saw the crowd gathered to watch him receive the STAR Award at Salinas Valley Health, the environmental services tech said, “My heart is racing!” The STAR Award at Salinas Valley Health is an acronym for the organizations core values of Support, Teamwork, Accountability and Respect.

Abalos joined the environmental services team three years ago and has grown from his original per diem status to a full-time employee with a dedication recognized across departments. His nomination for the honor came from a nurse in the Heart Center. Melissa Nowak, BSN, RN, PCCN wrote “He is always so fast if we need a room cleaned, if we request a bed or have an accidental spill. He is also respectful, acknowledges others and seems genuinely happy to be at work. It’s always a positive experience when he is on shift.”

Environmental Services Director Christa McDowell echoed Abalos' valuable contributions by adding, “Tito is one of those team members we want to clone. I’m constantly getting positive feedback about how well he does his job and his friendly and respectful attitude with everyone he encounters. He is very deserving of the STAR Award!”

Abalos says his heart will probably still be racing when he is recognized in front of the Board of Directors later this month saying, “I am overwhelmed by the honor and I love working here. Everybody is so nice. I just try to be myself and live our STAR values every day.”

Other STAR Award nominees for the period include Edwin Calica, Nurse Aide, Oncology; Itzayana Cano, Cardiopulmonary Tech Assistant, Cardiology; Lucy Cardenas, Tech Assistant, Mammography; Rafaella Esparza-Ramos, Nurse Aide, Med Surg; Sandra Jackson, Nurse Aide, Oncology; Maria Torres, Certified Physical Therapy Assistant, Rehab Services; and Mary Serrano, Unit Assistant I, Ortho Neuro Spine.

Each month, Salinas Valley Health recognizes an outstanding nurse with a DAISY Award (for nurses) and a STAR Award (for all staff). The DAISY Award is an international program that honors nurses for their extraordinary compassion, outstanding clinical skills, and personalized care, established by the DAISY Foundation. The STAR Award is a recognition program created by Salinas Valley Health incorporating the organization’s core values of Support, Teamwork, Accountability, and Respect to highlight staff serving our patients, community, and each other with extraordinary results. Nominations are submitted by patients, visitors, and staff. To learn more about the awards, visit SalinasValleyHealth.com/nomination.

Media Contact: Karina Rusk
831-759-1843