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“One of the most hardworking Environmental Services team members I've ever had the pleasure of working with during my 30+ years here at UVA Health!"

UVA Health’s BEE (Being Excellent Everyday) Award recognizes University Medical Center team members who work alongside our nurses to impact patients' experiences — just as bees and flowers depend on one another. At UVA Health Endoscopy at Monroe Lane, Barb Trotter, RN, nominated Assadullah Neejah — who does so much more than his routine housekeeping duties for staff and patients:

"Assad is one of the most hardworking Environmental Services team members I've ever had the pleasure of working with during my 30+ years here at UVA Health! There's no other way to describe him — he's just simply amazing and so valuable to our team at the outpatient procedural center. Throughout my many years of service with this health system, I can honestly say that not many of the MDs usually take the time to get to know the housekeepers only than basic recognition — this is absolutely not the case in our center — as all of our physicians and even the anesthesiologists know 'Assad' by name! 

Daily, he goes above and beyond — it isn't just an 'every now and then' sort of thing! Of course, he does the normal housekeeping duties, completing them thoroughly, but also exceeds expectations far beyond what he is required to do. He does multiple, daily cleaning rounds in patient and staff bathrooms and frequent trash and mopping rounds for all our procedure rooms — and checks with the procedure room staff about patient flow so he knows when he can come in and deep clean the rooms.

Assad even wipes down the walls in the bathrooms! He cleans the windows for the entire building and frequently deep cleans the waiting room. He keeps the break room sparkling clean, straightens chairs, and cleans any and all 'messes' left behind by the many RNs, techs, CRNAs [certified registered nurse anesthetists], and MDs. 

What sets Assad apart from any other employee within the housekeeping team that I've worked with before has to be all of the 'extras' that he does for us. He empties the blue linen bags (which quickly accumulate); fills blanket warmers so our patients always have warm blankets available; and keeps stocked patient drinks and crackers that we offer post-procedure. He even pays attention to the expiration dates. He keeps coffee brewing in the breakroom and changes batteries in the patient weight scale. He fixes the patient TVs when they are not working.

In the fall, he even blows the many leaves off the sidewalk in front of the building with a leaf blower he had to get from elsewhere. Or when he didn't have his leaf blower, he uses a broom or blanket — twirling it around in the air to create turbulence to get the leaves off the entrance to the building! These are just a few examples of things that are not listed under his job description. He does them because he takes so much pride in his work, his building, and his people: staff and patients. 

Assad is always available with a smile! He intuitively shows up when we need him to do something. He was recently on vacation and all the staff felt his absence. We were all so happy to see him when he returned! I can't think of a more deserving person to be awarded and recognized with the BEE Award!"

Know a Deserving Team Member?

The Nursing Professional Governance Organization honors up to two UVA Health University Medical Center team members each month with a BEE Award. Submit a nomination.