Employee Excellence
in Service Award

Managing a house full of children isn't easy — it takes a lot of organization, dedication and patience. But that's not a problem for Sandra Cedillo. As a matter of fact, she figured out how to manage an entire village.

Cedillo is an administrative assistant at the Village of Hope, a clinic for developmentally disabled children. Each day she commits herself to running an efficient operation for patients as well as the doctors, residents and health care workers who treat them. According to her boss, Dr. Chris Johnson, she's doing more than a good job.

"Since Sandra began working here, we have become more efficient. There are fewer scheduling errors, people get to the right site on the right day, and we are less frustrated," Dr. Johnson said. "She is always willing to give much more than 100 percent."

Cedillo began working at the Village of Hope in 1997. In the past four years, she's devised a filing system that meets the needs of the expanding patient population, created an online scheduling calendar for residents, and developed a series of forms to keep the office running smoothly. If that's not enough, Dr. Johnson says she's saved the department more than $22,000.

"Sandra does whatever it takes to get work done, without keeping score," Dr. Johnson said. "She is always ready to take on new responsibilities or help out in an emergency when staff members are absent," Dr. Johnson said. "She is a true team player, filling in where needed. She also has recently distinguished herself as a very capable leader."

All praise aside, Cedillo says she didn't expect to get an Employee Excellence in Service Award. "It blew me away. It actually made me cry, but it made my day," Cedillo said. "I really like working with Dr. Johnson and working with these kids."

While the award is quite an honor, Cedillo says it's the patients who give her the most joy. "With the right intervention, you see these children walking or talking — things people didn't think they could do before. It's very rewarding."

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