Hospice of Palm Beach County is pleased to announce that staff member Fernando Gonzalez has won the International Executive Housekeeper Association Third Annual 2007 Unsung Facility Hero Award. The award recognizes that employee who exemplifies dignity in the housekeeping field, who upholds the integrity of the industry, and who goes above and beyond the call of duty time after time. Recipients go into the “Hall of Fame” of cleaners whose attention and proactive measures have either saved the facility money or assisted a guest or patient with a need.
As one of over 900 staff members at Hospice of Palm Beach County, Gonzalez has gone above and beyond the realm of his job responsibilities since he began working there five years ago. Robert Hogue, C.E.H., Housekeeping Supervisor at Hospice of Palm Beach County, nominated Gonzalez for the award. “Fernando has excellent skills in floor finishing and maintenance. He cleans patient rooms, sets up meeting rooms, and has worked in all Hospice of Palm Beach County departments wherever hes needed. However, there is so much more that Fernando doesoutside the scope of his job responsibilitiesthat makes him deserving of this special award,” said Hogue.
Gonzalezs heroic acts not only during a series of hurricanes but also daily have made a lasting impression on staff and those served by Hospice of Palm Beach County. Dedication to his job responsibilities include:
* When Gonzalez first started at Hospice of Palm Beach County, he knew little English and had a hard time understanding staff and supervisors. So, Gonzalez enrolled in a local English class to learn more. Now, he assists as a translator between patients and nurses at Hospice.
* Florida has been plagued by many hurricanes in recent years, and while many employees would abandon work responsibilities and take cover at home, Gonzalez instead chose to stay at Hospice and provide support for the facilities and staff. During the last four hurricanes, Gonzalez was at Hospice of Palm Beach Countys Charles W. Gerstenberg Center 24 hours a day for several days.
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