Hilltop’s Appreciation Luncheon is the perfect way to celebrate those special coworkers, volunteers, supervisors, peers, or community partners who have made a difference in our lives. Please take a moment to read about those that were honored in this quarter’s luncheon.
If you’d like to nominate an awesome Hilltopper for our next luncheon, click here!
Bill Rickard – nominated by Kristina Love
I have to say being a new employee I have never felt more valued appreciated and like I am apart of a team. Bill goes above and beyond to not only teach me what my role and tasks will be but he is a great role model and leader for Hilltop. He speaks life into me and gives me great insight and knowledge on how to live everyday with morals and really to just be the best I can be. Bills knowledge base and eagerness to share it and help out anyway he can speaks volumes, I have watched Bill help out other co workers and I have had the opportunity to work side by side with him and he takes pride in his work and is showing me exactly how to do my job. I feel very confident that with Bill as my trainer I will have a very successful career here at Hilltop.
Dee Steele, nominated by Tabby Wiiest
Dee came to Hilltop as an intern a little over 2 years ago. Right away I knew she had the spark I was looking for for my department. I offered Dee a position as soon as her internship program ended and I’m so thankful she accepted. During her time with us Dee has and continues to bring new fun ideas for our residents such as building a smaller sized planetarium on campus to hosting a Mad Hatter Tea party. Dee brings the fun each and everyday she is here. Over the past few months, I have relied heavily on Dee to assist with ensuring the calendared activities are completed. With every request I make, Dee is right there to say “No problem Boss, I got your back and will make it happen”. I don’t think Dee realizes how much that level of commitment means to me and our residents. She is such a light and a blessing to our department. I’m so thankful she decided to come work for us.
Valarie Puckett – nominated by Kyla Hauer
When RYS closed, Valerie welcomed me to outpatient. She has helped me so much to get organized here and she always does extra things, like helping me make posters for new groups. She is always warm and welcoming (the kids I work with love her because she always takes time to talk with them when they come in). Valerie is one of those rare people who has great people skills, AND great organizational/business skills; we’re lucky she’s here to help out our clients and help us stay upbeat and organized.
Shayna Livingston – nominated by Kayla Sterns
Shayna has been a valuable employee and has brought a great positive change to our dining room. She goes above and beyond in her duties by ensuring our residents get top notch service during every meal. She brings new ideas to help staff do their jobs more efficiently and finds new ways to eliminate hassles. Shayna always has a smile on her face and always shows kindness in any interaction she has with staff, residents, or other members of leadership. I have seen Shayna grow into a person who exemplifies Hilltop’s values and continues to work on herself each and every day. Shayna is always willing to help anyone in need and steps up to help any department that is short staffed.
Marla Neal – nominated by Victoria Gaasche & Jamie Gonzalez
Marla has recently stepped in the Employee Health Nurse role, and has taken on a MASSIVE TB project to get all employees up to date on required vaccinates per our licensing. 200+ employees had to redo their TB tests, and Marla has taken this on without any complaints and a smile on her face the entire time! Not only is she catching up current employees on TB’s, she also has all my TB requests for new hires! She is back and forth between LAP and Corp, sometimes multiple times a day and she is just so kind and caring when giving people shots or TBs. Jamie and I would both like to nominate Marla to show our appreciation for her and everything she has done since stepping into her role.
Molly Lewis – nominated by Dee Steele
Molly always has great customer service and always has a smile. if you ask her a question she will answer it or find the answer, she cares about the residents and is willing to jump in and be involved. She goes the extra steps on the weekend lunches to make sure the morning goes as smoother then it would have. she came down on her off time to make a tutu with the residents for tutu Tuesday back in February, she has also donated meaningful prizes to the bingo bin.
Angela Carbajal – nominated by Tom Smith
I can’t tell you how many times Angela has impressed with her diligent work ethic and superb service. She helps her teammates, ask questions, and has the courage to make suggestions for improvement. Angela has a strong growth mindset, regularly participating in wellness courses, and Hilltop U. She also regularly covers shifts in other departments, such as the medication and dietary teams. Anytime Angela provides service to the residents, they can count on her to act with kindness, candor, and transparency. Angela strives and succeeds in making resident and staff members alike feel valued.
Ebony Lathrop – nominated by Amee Wirthlin
Ebony has always had a passion for helping others. She is one to go above and beyond in all aspects. During my first several weeks, she has been reaching out to me constantly to make sure I am comfortable and have the assistance I need. It has been nice to have someone so courteous and willing to benefit the team. She is a wonderful role model.
Amee Wirthlin – nominated by Ebony Lathrop
Amee is one of the most kindest, caring, and humblest ladies i have had the pleasure of knowing. I would like to first start by saying Amee is one of our newest employees at Hilltop. I had the pleasure of working with her at our old job,(Cappellas) She is a fast learning, and willing to do whatever it takes to make sure her job is done with loving support to the resident at Hilltop. She is very friendly and out going, she loves to make people smile.
Brandon McElroy – nominated by Shayna Livingston
Brandon has grown as a leader significantly over the past few months. I have seen him go above an beyond for the residents and his employees. Some days he works multiple jobs in his department and has the best attitude about it. He has shown an interest in learning and growing more. He has been a big help with all the changes that have happened recently.
TJ VanRoosendaal – nominated by Jo Hartig
TJ is the Asst. Director at The Fountains, TJ is always willing to jump in and help in the Dining Room, the kitchen, housekeeping and where ever else is needed. TJ supports me with sales and welcoming new residents as they move in and needing help with getting the TV or internet hooked up. He is always there when you need a good laugh, if you need to vent or if you just need a simple “good job”. Thank you TJ for all that you do!!!!
Catherine Lenhart – nominated by Leather Bang
Catherine is simply amazing. We have fun, motivate growth within each other and have built a strong dynamic. Together we have become vigilantes of all things EP, Safety and OSHA, because of the passion we share for this nerdy stuff. Not to mention all she has done for COVID compliance 🙂
Sally Valdez – nominated by Andres Escamilla
Sally is such a kind, thoughtful, and caring person not only with our participants but with her team and others in the building. She’s shown so much willingness to help people no matter how impossible their situation might be. We recently lost 2 people in one week, leaving her as the lone resource navigator for the program. I’ve been so impressed with her willingness to step up and take on the workload and help keep projects from falling to the wayside, all while maintaining her kind and caring attitude. Sally is such a vital part of 211 and an incredible worker.
Carter Bair – nominated by Jon Tadvick
For good reasons!
Valori Farrell – nominated by Jon Tadvick
For equally good reasons! She’s who makes sure we get our paychecks on time.
Victoria Gaasche – nominated by Jon Tadvick
Also for equally good reasons! Great job helping grow our Hilltoppers family.
Maria Martinez – nominated by Denyse Vrbas
She goes out of her way to do little things for her workers. She comes in and works hard when there is no one over night. I think she is awesome
Sera Pascuel – nominated by Scott Williams
Sera is a fantastic manager. Very supportive, and willing to listen. Her door is always open.
Lisa Woods – nominated by Heather Osborne
Lisa is a tireless advocate for the residents at LAP. She has gone above and beyond in the last year to support other departments within Brain Injury Services to ensure that our residents/participants get the care that they are needing. Lisa is never afraid to jump in and say what needs to be said or do what needs to be done.
Sonya Masden – nominated by Randia Weinberg
Sonya has been a Supervisor that is willing to teach/train on anything. She is very patient and listens to every concern, gives good advice on how to fix the issue or takes it upon herself to solve. She has always been one to admit if she doesn’t know the answer but always finds the answer and gets back to you with the answer. There is not an issue that I wouldn’t feel comfortable taking to her.
