How she shines: Nominating Anna Wilkins for the Women of Clean award is an honor because over the past seven years, she has shown exceptional leadership, unwavering passion, and a deep commitment to her colleagues and community. Over the past decade, Anna has risen from Supervisor to Director of Environmental Services, overseeing several hospitals for St Luke's University Health Network in the Allentown, Pennsylvania region. Her relentless focus on patient experience earned her the inside joke among EVS leaders, “HCAHPS Queen,” as her facilities consistently achieve cleanliness scores in the 90th percentile. Anna’s dedication ensures every patient benefits from a clean, safe, and healing environment.
Anna emigrated from Poland over 15 years ago, and her personal experience helps her connect deeply with staff from all backgrounds. She brings empathy and understanding to her leadership, supporting her team both professionally and personally. Her work with local refugee support programs is especially impactful. Anna creates opportunities for newcomers, offering mentorship and practical guidance that helps them navigate their new lives and workplaces. Through her support, these individuals thrive and contribute to a more inclusive, dynamic organization.
Anna also excels at recognizing others' potential and inspiring confidence. She mentors emerging leaders, provides development opportunities, and celebrates every achievement. Many who have worked with her have advanced into their dream jobs in hospital or leadership roles, often discovering strengths they didn’t realize they possessed.
Anna constantly seeks ways to improve our environment and processes. She successfully launched an effective campus-wide recycling program and actively encourages input from everyone, welcoming new ideas for continuous improvement. Her campus is preparing to become a pioneer in IA cleaning equipment for the network for “smart” scrubbers.
Outside of work, Anna’s determination shines as an avid runner and world traveler. She embraces new experiences, incorporating fresh perspectives into her work and community. Despite her demanding role, she remains devoted to friends and family, bringing her trademark care and dedication to every part of her life.
Anna’s influence is seen in both her operational successes and the many lives she has touched. She inspires growth, empowers newcomers, and builds teams that people are proud to join. Her leadership and compassion truly embody what it means to be a Women of Clean honoree.
Years in the industry: 11 years
Job responsibilities: Anna is a Director of Environmental Services in the University Health Network. She oversees three campuses with around 300 beds. Her hospital services include OR, med-surg, behavioral health hospital, and acute-stay surgery center. Her daily responsibilities include:
Staff Leadership & Workflow: Lead and supervise the Environmental Services (EVS) team and leaders; develop and implement efficient cleaning schedules; monitor performance; and ensure consistent service quality across all hospital areas.
Infection Control & Safety: Ensure strict compliance with hospital sanitation protocols, oversee the safe handling and disposal of biohazardous and infectious waste, and maintain adherence to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Joint Commission, and all relevant regulatory standards.
Bed Turnover Management: Optimize room cleaning workflows and minimize bed turnaround times to support efficient patient flow, timely admissions, and discharge processes.
Quality Inspections: Perform regular inspections to ensure hospital facilities consistently meet the highest standards of cleanliness, safety, and appearance.
Patient Satisfaction: Implement and monitor initiatives to improve Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) scores, proactively address patient concerns, and maintain a welcoming, patient-centered environment.
Department Administration: Manage staff training, oversee payroll and scheduling, allocate resources efficiently, and ensure departmental operations remain within budgetary guidelines.
Waste Management: Oversee all aspects of hospital waste management, including regular and regulated medical waste, to ensure safe, compliant, and environmentally responsible disposal practices.
Other Duties as Assigned: Complete additional projects or responsibilities as required to support hospital operations and organizational goals.
Career path: Anna was recruited as a Manager in Training for Crothall Company, where she began her journey at LVHN as an Operations Manager at Muhlenberg Hospital. She quickly fell in love with this field, demonstrating exceptional dedication and leadership. Her success in leading a high-performing team earned her a promotion to Assistant Director at Cedar Crest, the region's largest trauma hospital. There, she excelled in managing a fast-paced environment, overseeing more than 150 hourly employees and four exempt managers. Anna’s commitment to personal and professional growth led her to seize a new opportunity with St. Luke’s University Health Network. She started as a Supervisor but was rapidly promoted to Manager, and then Director, as her responsibilities expanded. From managing one hospital, she soon acquired oversight of two additional facilities. Throughout her career, Anna has been known for developing outstanding leaders and cultivating a culture of excellence. Her team deeply appreciates her dedication, and she was honored with the prestigious PCRAFT award (Pride, Caring, Respect, Accountability, Flexibility, Teamwork) within the network. Anna continues to thrive in her career, taking pride in her daily work and the positive impact she makes.
Best advice received: One of her friends gave her a daily inspiration that she keeps in her office: “It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great.” Anna always recognizes that there will be both good times and hard times, but through teamwork and facing challenges together, anything can be accomplished.
Fun fact: Anna's career path in Poland was in teaching; she worked as an elementary school teacher and truly enjoyed her role. However, she always dreamed of immigrating to the United States. Although she valued her career in education, Anna came to the U.S. as an au pair, living with a host family, caring for their children, and attending English classes. When she first arrived, she spoke almost no English, making her journey even more inspiring.