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Arialdys Torres accepts his Lotus Award at a ceremony in Bornstein.
Arialdys Torres, a patient transporter for Central Transport Services, meets dozens of patients each week. He says it's his mission to make people feel better.
"It's always good to have an opportunity to make our patients' day brighter," he said. "We help them and step into their shoes, being empathetic instead of sympathetic. This is something they remember."
Torres is one of four BWHers who were recently recognized with inaugural Lotus Awards for going above and beyond to foster and advance a culture of diversity and inclusion at BWH.
During a ceremony last month in Bornstein Amphitheater, each of the recipients-Torres, Yilu Ma, MS, MA, director of Interpreter Services; Amy Goh, CNM, MSN, MPhil, certified nurse-midwife; and Ivanoiry Perello, Tower 8CD patient care assistant-received a crystal lotus flower in recognition of his or her efforts. They each spoke briefly about what the award means to them.
Ma, along with the other recipients, thanked the nominating committee and said the awards weren't just for recipients, but for everyone on their teams.
The Lotus Awards are part of a restructured awards and recognition program the Department of Nursing and Patient Care Services established this year, under the leadership of Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer Jackie Somerville, PhD, RN, to better reflect their commitment to celebrating excellence and embracing teamwork.
The award was named after the lotus flower, which represents self-awareness and growth to full enlightenment, knowledge and openness.
At the ceremony, BWH President Betsy Nabel, MD, congratulated the award recipients.
"How fitting a symbol for these awards," she said. "It's so exciting to have an opportunity to introduce new and meaningful awards that will shine a spotlight on diversity and inclusivity."