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In This Issue:
As a social worker, Devorath Ruiz, LCSW, knows the importance of a patient's mental and physical well-being. When caring for a patient of Hispanic descent, she also knows that there are cultural factors that must be considered to ensure the patient receives the best care possible.
"I have the great honor of supporting, advocating for and empowering our patients," said Ruiz, who is fluent in Spanish. "I'm proud to be part of BWH because the hospital is dedicated to addressing health disparities, and it values the importance of a diverse workforce."
Ruiz was one of two recipients of this year's Hispanic Heritage Award, presented by the Department of Nursing and Patient Care Services. Zinnia Feliciano, BSN, RN, of Tower 10CD, was also honored for her commitment to providing culturally-sensitive care.
Both received the award during an Oct. 26 ceremony. During the event, Patient Care Services also recognized Orianny Villalona, a medical assistant at South Huntington Advanced Primary Care Associates, Camille Sanabria-Cooper, RN, of Tower 4B, Henry Manigat, of Interpreter Services, and Iva Perello, a patient care assistant in the Surgical ICU, who were all nominated for the award.
"You help us provide the outstanding care that our patients expect, and your commitment to excellence never ends," said Mairead Hickey, PhD, RN, chief operating officer. "You know that the best way to provide care to our patients is to embrace and learn from what our patients teach us."
Jackie Somerville, PhD, RN, chief nursing officer and senior vice president of Patient Care Services, and Patrice Nicholas, DNSc, MPH, RN, FAAN, program director of Global Health and Academic Partnerships, also addressed the audience.
This year's guest speaker was Massachusetts Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz, who spoke about her own Hispanic heritage and the importance of honoring staff of Hispanic descent.
"You will write the next chapter in our rich heritage, and I know you'll do it with pride and great ambition," Chang-Diaz told the honorees.