EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR NAMED AT FLORIDA MEDICAL CENTER

 Jorge Martinez, a Patient Care Aide (PCA) in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) at Florida Medical Center, has been named Employee of the Year, it was announced recently by Aurelio Fernandez, Chief Executive Officer. 

In making the announcement at the January 29^th Employee Service Awards, Fernandez said, “Jorge is an inspiration to all of us.  A recent immigrant to this country, he took it upon himself to master a new language and develop new job skills.  In less than two years, he has proven himself to be a valuable asset to our hospital and a role model for his fellow employees.”  In accepting the award, Martinez expressed his happiness at working for Florida Medical Center, where he is treated like family and given continuous help and support.  “I love my job, my co-workers and especially the challenges of working in the CVICU,” said Martinez. “It is like a school where I can learn.“  He also pointed out the self-fulfillment and personal satisfaction he derives from caring for these special patients.

After arriving from Cuba in early 2002, Martinez was determined to improve his English and professional skills and obtain a work permit, which would enable him to support his wife, Maria Isabel Nunez, and two sons, Yuliser, aged 18, and Yasiel, aged 14, still living in Cuba.  Residing with his aunt and uncle (his mother’s brother) in a neighborhood close to Florida Medical Center, Martinez applied for work at the hospital and, in March 2002, began as an aide in the Linen Department.  While delivering linens, he realized that he greatly enjoyed patient contact and interaction, so he took the initiative to enroll in a technical school and became a certified Patient Care Aide, a position he currently holds in the hospital’s CVICU, caring for critical patients who have just undergone open heart surgeries.  He now has plans to become a Registered Nurse.

Martinez graduated from the University of Havana with a degree in accounting.  His experience in Cuba includes working as an accountant at a local hotel and then working as an accountant at the National Bank, a position he held for ten years. In addition to English and his native Spanish, Martinez speaks Russian and is currently enrolled in an ESOL course to improve his language skills.

The Employee of the Year Award at Florida Medical Center is the highest honor bestowed upon an employee, chosen by their peers in recognition of outstanding performance, positive attitude, professional and personal skills, teamwork, loyalty, dedication and commitment to delivering the highest quality of patient care.