How she shines: Leadership: Christina's leadership consistently demonstrates a blend of integrity, clear communication, collaborative teamwork, and a commitment to continuous development. These strengths collectively have created an environment where her teams have consistently exceeded the Environmental Services section's mission at VA Puget Sound. Patient survey results improved 23 percent, achieving a top-box score for cleanliness of the hospital of 85 percent.
Integrity: Christina models ethical behavior and accountability that’s without a rival. These attributes have become infectious, often imitated by her peers. Her transparent decision-making creates an environment of trust. By aligning actions with stated values and building trust, she has fostered a culture where expectations are clear and fair.
Communication: Christina communicates with clarity and purpose and actively listens to ensure information flows openly. This enables shared understanding, reduces ambiguity, and supports coordinated action across her team.
Teamwork & Collaboration: Christina cultivates a supportive, inclusive team environment. By encouraging participation and promoting idea-sharing, she empowers her team through effective delegation. This collaborative approach has strengthened her relationships with the team and enhanced their overall performance.
Mentorship & Support: Christina invests in the growth of her individual team members. She provides guidance, coaching, and constructive feedback that align with the team members’ strengths, recognizing potential and nurturing it.
Years in the industry: 6 years
Job responsibilities: Christina's role as Supervisor includes staff management, where she assigns daily cleaning duties, plans shift schedules, approves leave, and conducts performance appraisals. She also oversees quality and sanitation inspection, inspecting patient rooms, corridors, and public spaces to ensure compliance with health codes and high cleanliness standards. When managing training and safety, Christina provides on-the-job training for new hires, enforces safety regulations, and runs safety classes on chemical and equipment handling. When addressing inventory and maintenance, she controls supply and equipment usage, manages linen distribution, and submits electronic work requests for broken furniture or building repairs.
Career path: Christina was hired as an Environmental Services Team Lead. After a year, she was promoted to a supervisor position. In her current role, she is the most trusted and respected in the Environmental Services section and is often the go-to person in emergent situations.
Best advice received: You have no ceiling. Don't be content and shoot for the top
Fun fact: Christina works at a VA hospital, and she is not a veteran. What makes this remarkable is her passion for the care of veterans. Her work can outshine her military-veteran peers.