COOPERSTOWN – Lalo Padilla has a simple analogy for his workday. “It’s like getting on the roller coaster,” he said. “You get on, and you don’t get off until 7:30, which is when my shift ends.” In his role as food service worker in the Dietary Department, Padilla goes above and beyond what’s expected to provide excellent service to patients and colleagues alike, and for those reasons he was selected as Ambassador of the Month. He consistently demonstrates Bassett core values of quality, respect, service, integrity and friendliness. “He is always pleasant, smiling and happy,” wrote Kathy Anderson, R.N., in a letter nominating Padilla for the ambassador award. “When you call the Dietary Department, he is an absolute pleasure to speak with. He makes you feel like yours is the only issue he has to deal with and that your immediate needs are important.” Padilla’s responsibilities include making dietary supplements for patients, visiting patient rooms to take meal orders and deliver and retrieve trays, helping to assemble patient lunch and dinner trays, delivering coffee or snacks to patients, cleaning dishes and stocking supplies. He also works in the dietary office, entering information on patients with special diets into a computer system. “He’s a strong player,” said Director of Food Service Brian Wrubleski. “He’s very customer-service-oriented. He holds his cool. He does what’s best for the customer, and that’s what we’re all here for. He’s dependable and goes the extra mile for the patient.” Having the opportunity to work directly with patients makes the job fulfilling for Padilla. “Seeing their grateful smiles and knowing how appreciative they are – that’s the biggest reward,” Padilla said. He believes even a small thing like smiling and saying “good morning” can make a difference in how a patient feels, and he enjoys being able to be a part of their healing. Padilla has worked at Bassett for two years. Before joining the Food Service team, he worked in retail, and this background has given him a knack for understanding people and a strong sense of customer service. “I treat the person who cleans our floors just as nice as I would treat one of the doctors,” he said. “I respect myself, and for that reason, I have respect for other people, and I think that’s what makes me successful at what I do. When it comes to our customers, the patients, I try to give them what they want.” Padilla has lived in Sharon Springs for 10 years, and spends his free time renovating his 100-plus-year-old home.
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