Published on November 07, 2024

Celebrating the incredible contributions of Montage Health staff

Teresa

Every year, Montage Health recognizes employees who go above and beyond in demonstrating our organization’s values and service standards. Staff from across the agency nominate their standout colleagues, and the top 10 finalists are celebrated at our annual Top Ten event which culminates in honoring one extraordinary staff member as Employee of the Year. 

As an organization, we’ve identified our values and service standards as core principles we want to uphold. But we know it’s not enough to just say that these are our values. We must live them through our actions and the care we provide. Our Top Ten 2024 finalists did just that, setting the bar high and inspiring us all. 

Congratulations to Teresa Nunes from Montage Health’s Business Development department for being named Employee of the Year. Teresa’s dedication to excellence shines and it is an honor to recognize her incredible contributions to the organization and the community's well-being. 

Congratulations to Montage Health’s Top Ten 2024 

Teres Nunes

Employee of the Year 

Teresa Nunes, Business Development 

“Teresa's commitment to excellence, strong work ethic, and unwavering dedication to Montage Health's values make her a valued member of the Business Development team. Her significant contributions, including securing community partnerships, organizing events, and uncovering important referral opportunities, have greatly contributed to the department's success. Teresa's positive attitude, exceptional customer service, and ability to collaborate with and support colleagues and stakeholders exemplify her spirit of hard work and dedication to her craft. Her commitment to our health system and its mission is truly inspiring. Teresa exemplifies the definition of an outstanding physician liaison and is always the first to step up whenever assistance is needed, no matter the task. Her sense of humor puts smiles on the faces of those around her even when the topic is delicate.” 

Top Ten 2024 finalists 

Claudia Alamanza

Sawsan Al-Nimri, Laboratory Services 

“Sawsan is a passionate advocate for patient safety, driven by her deep empathy for patients, their families, and lab staff. Her unending dedication to her work ensures the highest quality of care. Montage Health is incredibly fortunate to have her on the team.” 

Ann Bispo

Ann Bispo, Care Coordination Services 

“Ann's incredible gift for connecting with patients during their most vulnerable moments, combined with her compassion and empathy, provides immense comfort and guidance. Her dedication and joy in helping others make her an invaluable asset to the Care Coordination Services social work team and all of Montage Health.” 

Elmar Dela Cruz

Elmar Dela Cruz, Westland House 

“Elmar's strong moral compass, caring nature, and genuine compassion make him a beloved and reliable team member. His interactions with patients and staff are always positive, he always wears a smile, his integrity is unquestionable, and his caregiver persona is magnetic.” 

Natasha DiPretoro

Natasha DiPretoro, Safety 

“Natasha is an outstanding worker and fantastic person. Her approachability and helpful attitude create a supportive environment for her colleagues. Despite a busy schedule, she always makes time for others. Natasha's commitment to excellence and her ability to connect with people make her a true asset to the organization.” 

Gabe Gaerlan

Gabe Gaerlan, Information Technology Operations 

“Gabe's dedication to serving the Montage Health community with respect and integrity is unparalleled. He treats everyone as a friend. His tenacity in problem solving and his relentless pursuit of solutions have made him a valuable collaborator. Gabe's joy in helping others, especially the older generation of volunteers, shines through in his patient and compassionate guidance.” 

Kelly Giles

Kelly Giles, Risk Management and Compliance 

“Kelly goes above and beyond in every capacity, offering guidance, working hard, and providing career advice with compassion and professionalism. Her integrity, respect for others, and celebration of diversity in thought and culture make her an exceptional team member and a true asset to Montage Health.” 

Diane Hatcher

Diane Hatcher, Aspire Health 

“Diane always goes the extra mile to ensure departments get the data and reports they need, even when it's challenging. Her collaboration with other teams and her focus on quality initiatives have led to actionable reporting that supports clinical teams and ensures quality care for members. Diane's contributions are incredibly valuable to Aspire Health and Montage Health as a whole.” 

Joti Kaur

Joti Kaur, Financial Services 

“Joti's engagement and willingness to roll up her sleeves make her a critical player in decision-making and driving strategic objectives. Her exceptional skills, dedication, and professionalism are evident in her work ethic. She is a strong steward of Montage Health’s resources, and she always shows a willingness to partner and collaborate — no matter how busy she is — in the interest of shared success.” 

Chelsea Zehm

Chelsea Zehm, Patient Business Services 

“Chelsea is forward thinking and always shows a commitment to working toward a resolution. Her dedication to improving processes and her effective communication and listening skills make her a valuable liaison between departments. She treats everyone with care. Her solution-driven mindset and commitment to Montage Health's values and service standards make her an exemplary team member.” 

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