STAR Employees Give that Special Something

We all know that special someone in our department who goes beyond the call of duty, who treats patients and fellow staff with respect and compassion. You can always depend on that person to give an extra helping hand, to treat people courteously, and to act professionally.

In UCLA Hospital System nomenclature, these people are known as STARs (Service & Teamwork Achieve Results).Three times a year 10 exceptional STARS are chosen by a committee, and are celebrated in March, July and November. At each individual celebration, the winners are honored and receive a check for $100, explains Louise Villalpando, manager of UCLA Ambulatory Care and Santa Monica-UCLA Patient Relations, who spearheads the program.

STARs include staff, faculty or volunteers who demonstrate exemplary customer service, and who have received at least three acknowledgement cards describing their good deeds.Winners of the STAR award celebrate in a special ceremony in their work area with fellow employees and administrators, where they receive their STAR award pin, a certificate and monetary reward. To nominate your STAR, complete a STAR acknowledgement card located throughout the organization, or visit the Hospital System Human Resources website to nominate your STAR online. If you need a STAR display, or additional acknowledgement cards, please contact Louise Villalpando at x41276 or email Louise at lvillalpando@mednet.ucla.edu.