Lynda Pasquarella (left) administrative assistant, Administration/Human Resources, was taken by surprise when her manager, Cindy von Beren, executive director, Catholic Heritage & Cultural Integration, revealed to her that she had been selected as a Yale New Haven Hero. Pasquarella is a 13-year-veteran and works on the Saint Raphael Campus.

After more than 200 nominations from employees, the hospital’s Heroes Nominating Committee has chosen 16 of the hospital’s finest to be members of the sixth class of Yale New Haven Heroes. “The Heroes program is a tribute to exemplary employees who embrace and live the values of Yale New Haven in their everyday work,” said Richard D’Aquila, YNHH president. “Their stories remind us to offer excellent service and provide patients with the best possible experiences while in our care.”

The members of the sixth class of Yale New Haven Heroes are:

• Lirim Ameti, MD, hospitalist, Hospitalist Service
• Humberto Baez-Melendez, cook, Food and Nutrition
• Thomas Billups, surgical technician, Operating Rooms
• Candace Cardoza, RN, pediatric epilepsy nurse coordinator, Epilepsy unit
• Evelio Escalante, maintenance specialist, Smilow Cancer Hospital
• Jennifer Hampton, patient transport associate, Patient Transport
• Ashley Lupo, RN, nurse, Bone and Joint unit (Verdi 3 South)
• Mohamed Hegazi, interpreter, Language Services
• Mary Ellen Pappas, volunteer, Volunteer Services
• Lynda Pasquarella, administrative assistant, Administration/Human Resources
• Sherilynn Petit, RN, patient service manager, Center for Musculoskeletal Care and Neurosciences
• Arnold Ramjattan, patient care associate, Trauma Surgery (SP 6-4)
• Patricia Vakos, RN, patient service manager, General Medicine(Verdi 5 North)
• Kaneil Willocks, application coordinator, Information Technology Services
• Leah Yazmer, child life specialist, Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital
• Mary Zacarelli, visitor receptionist, Directory Services

“We are thrilled with this new class of Heroes, which represents a wide variety of Yale New Haven Hospital occupations and locations,” said Susan Haufe, executive director, Patient Experience. “Our newest Heroes will be honored at a reception this fall and their portraits will hang in several locations throughout the hospital.”