Inaugural Lotus Awards Honor Four BWHers

Amy Goh receives a Lotus Award.

Certified Nurse Midwife Amy Goh, CNM, MSN, MPhil, makes it her mission to provide quality care to every patient she sees, regardless of their background. 

"Our midwifery group is rooted in providing quality care to a very diverse group of women in Boston," said Goh. "We care for and respect women from all walks of life."

Goh was one of four BWHers recognized with a Lotus Award for going above and beyond to foster and advance a culture of diversity and inclusion at BWH.

During the inaugural ceremony last month in Bornstein Amphitheater, the recipients-Goh; Yilu Ma, MS, MA, director of Interpreter Services; Arialdys Torres, a patient transporter for Central Transport Services; and Ivanoiry Perello, Tower 8CD patient care assistant-received a crystal lotus flower in recognition of their efforts.

They each spoke briefly about what the award means to them. Goh, along with the other recipients, thanked the nominating committee and said the awards weren't just for them, but for everyone on their teams.

The Lotus Awards are part of a restructured awards and recognition program the Department of Nursing and Patient Care Services established this year, under the leadership of Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer Jackie Somerville, PhD, RN, to better reflect the department's commitment to ensuring that every person who walks through the doors at BWH feels welcomed and cared for.

The name of the award was submitted by Namrata Patil, MD, MPH, and was selected because the fully-bloomed lotus represents self-awareness and growth to full enlightenment, knowledge and openness. The color red symbolizes compassion and love.

At the ceremony, BWH President Betsy Nabel, MD, congratulated the award recipients. "How fitting a symbol for these awards," she said. "It's so exciting to have an opportunity to introduce new and meaningful awards that will shine a spotlight on diversity and inclusivity."