Registration Clerk Honored with STAR Award for 25 Years of Compassionate Service

Salinas, CA -  For 25 years, Ariel Mendoza has helped patients and families navigate some of life's most difficult moments at Salinas Valley Health. His latest act of compassion earned him the organization's STAR Award, recognizing employees who exemplify the organization’s core values of Support, Teamwork, Accountability and Respect.

When a family that had arrived in the United States from the Philippines just three weeks earlier brought their child to Salinas Valley Health's Emergency Department with a fever, they faced more than a medical emergency. Their child required a late-night transfer to Stanford Hospital, and the family had no insurance, no transportation and few essential belongings.

Although his shift had already ended, Mendoza, a Registration Float Clerk II in Patient Registration, drove the child's father to Marina to gather clothing, milk and bottles before returning to the hospital to help prepare for the transfer. Because only one parent could accompany the child in the ambulance, Mendoza then drove the father home, ensuring the family was supported throughout an overwhelming and emotional night.

"I feel it’s a blessing to be able to help someone,” said Ariel Mendoza, STAR Award recipient. “In this case, I was heartbroken. The mom was crying and even though it was late around 11:30 at night and I was off my shift, I needed to help them and I’m glad I did. I like paying it forward.”

A colleague, Rita Faulve Ledo, nominated Mendoza for the award writing that his actions exemplified "true human kindness, empathy and dedication."

"He took the initiative to help a vulnerable family in need, sacrificing his own personal time without hesitation," Ledo wrote. "His compassion and willingness to go the extra mile made a meaningful difference for this family during a difficult moment."

Additional STAR Award nominees this month included Ardee Aguilar, Tech, Environmental Services; Elijah Aiken, Epic Associate, Epic; Josefa Alvarez-Andrade, CPhT, Pharmacy Tech II, Pharmacy; Lisa Anaya, MA, Clinical Social Worker, Case Management; Daniel Andazola, Cook II, Nutritional Services; Gerardo "Jerry" Arias, Transport/Prep Aide, Patient Care Resources; Annabelle Bautista, Nurse Aide, Patient Care Resources; Joshua Baxter, MSN, RN, Grand Central Analyst, Epic; Stephanie Borzini, RCP, RRT, Respiratory Care Practitioner Registered, Respiratory Care; Desiree Briseno, Registration Float Clerk II, Patient Registration; Tracy Burchell, Unit Assistant I, ICU/CCU; Veronica Calderon, Aide, Environmental Services; Blessilda Calica, Nurse Aide, Observation Care Unit; Sandra Caravez, Aide, Environmental Services; Esmeralda Sanchez Carrillo, Aide, Environmental Services; Yijia Chen, PharmD, RPh, BCPS, Clinical Pharmacist, Pharmacy; Jan Martha Conducto, OTR/L, Occupational Therapist, Rehab Services; Sandy Cortez, Social Work Assistant, Case Management; Nikko Crivello, Transport/Prep Aide, Patient Care Resources; Gypsy Douglas, Nurse Aide, Patient Care Resources; Jonalyn Eleccion, Nurse Aide, Ortho Neuro Spine; Abel Escobar, Transport/Prep Aide, Patient Care Resources; Rafaella Esparza-Ramos, Nurse Aide, Med/Surg; Frank Florez, CPT, Laboratory Tech Assistant I, Laboratory Services; Sophia Gonzales, Nurse Aide, Patient Care Resources; Maria "Dolores" Chairez Gonzalez, Aide, Environmental Services; Daniel Henderson, Tech, Environmental Services; Jimena Hermosillo, Nurse Aide, Telemetry/5-T; Henry Huerta, Nurse Aide, Patient Care Resources; Jorge Huerta, Transport/Prep Aide, Patient Care Resources; Nicole Koch, Pharmacy Tech II, Pharmacy; Daniella Lagarnia, Beaker Analyst – Clinical, Epic System; Andres Magallon, Retail Pharmacy Tech, Pharmacy; Kenneth Martinez, Concierge/Guest Services Member Liaison, Volunteer & Guest Services; Maria Mederos-Manzano, Nurse Aide, Observation Care Unit; Ariel Mendoza, Registration Float Clerk II, Patient Registration; Diana Contreras Mendoza, Nurse Aide, Heart Center; Eva Mendoza, Pathology Clerk, Laboratory Services; Chessaly Miller, RD, Dietitian, Clinical Nutrition; Carlos Montes, Interpreter, Interpreter Services; Daniella Moreno, Nurse Aide, Patient Care Resources; Amy Morris, Diet Clerk II, Clinical Nutrition; Gabriel Munoz, CNA, Transport/Prep Aide, Patient Care Resources; Jacob Ortiz, Tech, Environmental Services; Richard Partida, Transport/Prep Aide, Patient Care Resources; Henydine Pascual, Nurse Aide, Med Surg; Bryan Rivas, Tech Assistant II, Diagnostic Imaging; Ana Rodriguez, Concierge/Guest Services Member Liaison, Volunteer & Guest Services; Delia Rodriguez, Nurse Aide, Patient Care Resources; Oscar Fernandez Rodriguez, Nurse Aide, Ortho Neuro Spine; Cindy Ruelas-Napoles, Nutrition Services Aide, Nutrition Services; Melissa Schiveley, Nurse Aide, Patient Care Resources; Lori Schonert, CPCS, Credentialing Coordinator, Medical Staff Services; Bryan Serrano, Transport/Prep Aide, Patient Care Resources; Barbara Souter, Lead Telephone Operator, Telecomm; Stephanie Sterner, MS, OTR/L, CLT, Occupational Therapist, Rehab Services; Ana Torres-Garcia, Aide, Environmental Services; and Alicia Ubalde, Unit Assistant I, Med Surg.

Every month, Salinas Valley Health recognizes an employee with either a STAR Award designed to recognize all staff or a DAISY Award honoring nurses. The nationally established DAISY Award recognizes nurses for extraordinary compassionate care.

Media Contact: Karina Rusk
831-759-1843