The Humanism Program at Westwood and the Star Program at Santa Monica are merging into one new program under the name "STAR Recognition Program". The intent of combining these recognition programs is to take the best features of each to better recognize staff and reinforce our service values. Under the newly combined program, acknowledgement cards for exceptional service will be available throughout the hospitals for employees to be nominated. In addition, patient feedback collected through the patient satisfaction surveys will also be merged into the program, so that employees referred to in the survey will be acknowledged.

The existing holders and acknowledgement cards at Westwood, Santa Monica and PCN clinics will be replaced with new holders and acknowledgment cards by the STAR committee this week. A "STAR Recognition Program" nomination form will also be available on-line at the HR Website at http://hr.Health System.ucla.edu/. Any pending Humanism and Star Acknowledgment cards will be processed under the new program.

All staff, physicians, residents and volunteers are eligible for the program. Some of the STAR Recognition Program features are:

• STAR certificates will be mailed to the employee's immediate manager or unit director for distribution to the employee.

• After receiving three STAR certificates the employee will receive a STAR pin.

• Employees who receive a STAR pin will be considered for a $100 monetary award.

• Ten winners will be selected per trimester.

• To improve visibility STAR recognition ceremonies will take place on the units and in work settings. Newsletters will be posted on the units listing the names of the program winners and will also include program updates.

• The STAR Recognition program is separate from the Staff Incentive Award program.

For any questions on the STAR Recognition program, please call Human Resources at extension 40500 or e-mail at StarAward@mednet.ucla.edu .