YNHH’s Protective Services held its annual Life Saving Awards and Recognition Ceremony Oct. 22.
At its annual Life Saving Awards and Recognition Ceremony, Yale New Haven Hospital’s Protective Services department honored those with “a deep commitment to serving others,” according to Director Nicholas Proto.
During the Oct. 22 ceremony, department and hospital leaders honored staff with service milestones and presented Employee of the Month awards, special recognition certificates and Life Saving Awards.
“Each honoree represents teamwork, readiness and a sense of shared accountability that helps keep our patients, visitors, employees and community safe,” said Dean Caruso, vice president, Support Services and Sustainability, YNHH. “Thank you for what you do every day, often quietly, and without expectation of recognition. Your service matters, your actions make a difference and we are proud to celebrate you.”
The nine employees who received Life Saving Awards were:
Rich Golas and Len Popolizio, security supervisors, who responded to a report of a person threatening suicide in a vehicle near the York Street Campus. Through ongoing compassionate communication, the lieutenants gained the trust of the person, who handed over their keys and was transported to the Emergency Department.
John Rostkowski, senior patrol officer, who was dispatched after a patient with dementia left the hospital on a cold, rainy night. Rostkowski thoroughly searched near the hospital for over an hour while coordinating with the New Haven Police Department. Police located the patient, who was brought back to the hospital.
Ray Long and Mike Ortiz, senior patrol officers, who responded to a report of a patient acting out. Upon seeing the person in the midst of a suicide attempt, the officers worked together to stop the attempt. Medical staff attended to the patient, who appeared to have lost consciousness.
Joe Jackson, senior patrol officer, Mary Zacarelli, patient experience ambassador, and Meeok Chan, manager, lab specimen processing, who worked together to prevent a person from jumping from the top of the Air Rights parking garage. Chan had seen a person in the garage acting suspiciously and called Guest Services, prompting Zacarelli to call Protective Services. Jackson approached the person calmly and was able to get him away from the edge of the garage and to the ED for treatment.
Ken Ruge, senior patrol officer, who was dispatched to the York Street Campus main entrance driveway and saw a person on the sidewalk who seemed to be having a seizure and had facial injuries. When it appeared the person was not breathing, Ruge began CPR and revived the person, who was brought to the ED.
Proto lauded the awardees and all Protective Services department members, saying, “Whether responding to emergencies, assisting those in crisis, supporting our clinical teams or maintaining visible presence throughout our facilities, they do so with professionalism, integrity and compassion.”
