PETALS Recognition Program

PETALS Honoree: Jose Rapien

November 2022

Jose has been instrumental in the development of the family experience volunteer program in the Emergency Department. His collaboration has helped to establish this new program and provide a welcoming and engaging experience to the volunteers. As a member of the volunteer resource team, I could not have asked for a better team to implement this program with, and it's success is showing. Jose's ability to make the volunteers feel welcomed, and part of the Emergency Department team has made all the difference in recruiting other members. Jose has helped us to identify the areas where the service scores could be moved to create a more positive family experience. Thank you, Jose. 

PETALS Honoree: Reyna Amador, CA [3 North]

October 2022

"I want to recognize Reyna for her work because she treated me and my family the BEST way you could possible treat a patient and their family. I will be eternally grateful to her" - Antonia Cortes

PETALS Honoree: Janet Denis

September 2022

There is a reason we call Janet the Chick-Fil-A of secretaries! She always has a smile on her face and welcomes each and every patient with a warm regard. We have one patient who says “I hate mondays” but then as soon as he sees Janet his demeanor changes. He runs into her arms. She makes Mondays better for everyone. She is constantly doing all she can for the Infusion team and no matter what day we are presented with, she keeps the energy light to get us through the day. The weeks she isn’t there, it is definitely noticed.

This unit is what it is because of her and we could not do this job without her. I am grateful for everything she does day in and day out. Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is blessed to have her as part of their family. She is the definition of all the things we stand for as a hospital. You are out of this world!!!!!!!

PETALS Honoree: Maria Lezcano, RRT

August 2022

"Maria is a natural teacher, and I’m sure she doesn’t realize how much I have learned from her. She is second only to my preceptor in helping me learn how to be a NICU nurse, and I don’t only mean vent settings and how to suction a patient. Her attention to detail and holistic approach combine to elevate her above one job title of respiratory therapy, she is a nurse and respiratory therapist combined (sometimes I think she could be a physician). She helps us trouble shoot why a patient is bradying, desatting, often when the root cause is not even directly related to her responsibilities. Listening to her reasoning to figuring out why a patient is decompensating has taught me so much, and her solutions to problems never cease to amaze me. She is always in a good mood, ready and willing to help make sure the night goes smoothly. I always feel safe when Mariais around, whether it be for re-taping an ET tube or doing trach ties, I am 100% confident that it will be done right and in the safest way possible. And, in doing so, she always helps to make sure the patient’s skin is in good condition, going the extra mile to make sure we don’t have any breakdown. She is always ready to assist with suctioning, making sure the timing is right for labs. She gets to know each patient so well that she can tell you the when, where, how, and if you should be doing certain interventions to help with patient care.

Maria’s good reputation means that everyone goes to her for help, even when it is not her patient. Maria never says “that’s not my patient”, she always goes and helps because she wants what is best for everyone. I can think of hundreds of examples, but just last week I had a patient with a parent who was very concerned about her baby, Maria helped to translate for me and put the mother at ease. Another night she heard my baby crying when I was on break. She helped to comfort him and he was sleeping again by the time I got back. To be honest there are no words to describe how wonderful she is, but I hope this nomination portrays how much we love her.

Maria is an amazing team player, and I can’t imagine this unit without her.

Thank you so much for everything Maria!"