At Alameda Health System (AHS) our employees are our greatest strength going above and beyond every day to provide quality care and improve the health and well-being of our patients and the communities we serve. In support of AHS’s commitment to cultivate a workplace culture where people feel valued and recognized, the STAR (Service Team Award Recipient) award program relaunched in last month after being placed on pause in 2019.
“We are excited to bring the employee and provider of the quarter award back to AHS empowering staff to nominate their colleagues for their extraordinary contributions in support of our mission,” said Vice President of Human Resources, Linda Velasquez.
The STAR award will recognize staff and providers for exceeding the AHS standards of behavior including attitude, communication, customer service, accountability, teamwork, quality, safety and for their overall outstanding performance on the job.
“These individuals demonstrate professionalism and enthusiasm in their day-to-day duties,” said Velasquez. “They are an inspiration to their peers, patients and the community and never waver in their willingness to help others.”
The quarterly STAR recognition program will name one employee from each facility including Highland, Fairmont, San Leandro, Alameda and John George hospitals, post-acute, ambulatory care, system support and the information services (IS) departments. In addition, one systemwide provider of the quarter will be honored.
No matter what role they play across the system, every staff member can nominate an AHS superstar for consideration. All of the nominations will be reviewed, and winners selected by a cross-functional committee. Winners will then be notified by the STAR committee.
For the first round of awards, we began taking nominations October 1 and will continue through December 31, 2022. Awards will be presented in January 2023. Each winner will receive $250 in recognition points to purchase merchandise in a recognition catalog.
In addition, the quarterly winners will be featured on the refreshed AHS STAR intranet page and mentioned on the Leadership Desktop Chat.
According to Velasquez, this the first phase of a larger employee recognition program underway that will allow leaders to award points to employees for exceptional work. In addition, employees will be able to save up their points to purchase merchandise in a recognition catalog. It is tentatively scheduled to launch in spring 2023.
“We hire the best people to do their best work and it shows,” said Velasquez. “Their energy, expertise, innovation and passion help us deliver high-quality health care services for all.”