Onvida Health is thrilled to announce that our Environmental Services (EVS) team has been honored with the Environmental Services Department of the Year Award from the Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE). This award is a prestigious national honor that recognizes one of the most essential – and often unsung- teams in healthcare.
The Onvida Health EVS team stood out among hospitals across the country with 250-499 beds, earning recognition for their innovation, leadership and measurable results in creating a cleaner, safer and more healing environment. The EVS team strives to provide excellent support to everyone they serve – patients, providers, and the community. By bringing kindness and taking pride in the work they do every single day, they are making a difference. They calm patients with a kind word, respond to urgent needs without hesitation, and are setting the standard for excellence in their field. EVS also places a strong emphasis on training and recognizing team members, ensuring they feel empowered and appreciated in their roles.
“EVS is a dedicated force behind everything we do. This award puts a well-deserved spotlight on the people who make our hospital shine,” said Jake Childs, Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of Onvida Health. “EVS has remained committed to progress, and we are proud to see their hard work recognized at a national level.”
Led by Veronica Gutierrez, Director of Environmental Services and Linen at Onvida Health, the Environmental Services team has implemented a series of initiatives over the years including:
- Standardizing cleaning practices and processes ensuring consistent quality across both Emergency Departments for faster room turnover, increasing bed access to services for our patients, reducing wait times, and enhancing patient satisfaction.
- In 2022, EVS won 1st Place in the Operational Excellence Category of the Quality Hall of Fame for their new structured staffing model to deliver focused, specialized care tailored to each area they support.
- In 2023, a comprehensive quality program was introduced, including daily surveys, monthly audits, and quarterly/annual reviews. By 2024, over 20,000 surveys were completed at the main hospital and 2,000 at external locations, all achieving >90% pass rate.
Veronica Gutierrez said of the award, “Winning the Environmental Services Department of the Year Award is not just a milestone – it’s a reflection of the hard work, dedication, and passion that our entire team brings every day.”
