Winners Announced in National EVS Contest

In honor of Environmental Services (EVS) week, which was recognized Sept. 10-16, Cintas Corporation announced the winners of its 2023 C.A.P.E. Awards. These awards were established to recognize professionals “Cleaning to Advance the Patient Experience.” C.A.P.E. Awards celebrate EVS staff in acute and long-term care facilities who are at the frontline of patient care providing clean and safe facilities for healthcare workers, patients, residents and visitors across the country.

Ten Environmental Services (EVS) technicians at the frontline of patient care and sanitation were nominated and selected based on the quality of their service and dedication.

Cintas’ 2023 C.A.P.E. Award winners are:

• Fata Mahmutovic - University of Utah Health Huntsman Cancer Hospital

• Benita Crawford - The University of Kansas Health System

• Linda Harmon - Mercy Health Clermont Hospital

• Kathleen Murphy - Staten Island University Hospital

• Samiya Seid - Wellstar Kennestone Hospital

• Pamela Ring - Union Health

• Debra Powell - University of Maryland Shore Regional Health

• Jorge Hernandez - HCA Methodist Hospital

• Jeanette Louidor - Orlando Regional Medical Center

• Rosario Seludo – Methodist Hospital of Sacramento

"We received hundreds of submissions from across the country about inspiring EVS technicians who are dedicated to providing clean, safe places for patients, their families and other staff members," says Chad Poeppelmeier, Cintas vice president of Healthcare. "We’re pleased to honor these unsung heroes who spend countless hours cleaning hospitals on repeat to prevent the spread of coronavirus and other diseases and infections."

From June 12 through Aug. 15, the public nominated heroic EVS technicians who might not wear a cape, but who play critical roles in cleaning and sanitizing healthcare facilities to eliminate viruses, germs and hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). Then, a panel of Cintas representatives evaluated the nominations based on their compelling nature and the quality of service and dedication of the nominee.

The panel selected 10 winners who will each receive a $2,500 cash prize and a $2,500 donation to their healthcare institution on their behalf. Winners and their facilities will also receive a Rubbermaid charging bucket with products inside.

Cintas, in partnership with The Association for the Healthcare Environment (AHE), will provide one scholarship to the designated trainer of their institution (typically an EVS director, manager or supervisor) to attend one of AHE’s signature series Train the Trainer programs, like T-CHEST, T-CSCT, T-CNACC. Additionally, the winning technician will receive a scholarship to be trained and certified in the AHE program (CHEST, CSCT, CNACC) at their facility.