Celebrating Crothall’s Exceptional Environmental Services Teams

September 8-14 is Environmental Services Week, a week where we recognize and celebrate all our EVS professionals. 

We aim to foster a culture of appreciation for all the hardworking people that support Crothall Healthcare’s operations. This week, however, we are shining a spotlight on our EVS team members at facilities across the nation—their hard work and passion for patient experience is exemplified by EVS associates such as Yuanyin Shu and Sonia Benitez. 

Yuanyin “Sue” Shu, Housekeeper, Children’s Hospital of Colorado 

Raised in Chengdu, China, Yuanyin Shu (better known as Sue) graduated from college, had a daughter, and met her husband Dale at the American Embassy. They were soon relocated to Poland, where they lived for seven years. In 2015 they moved to Colorado Springs, They moved to Colorado Springs in 2015, and Dale soon noticed how isolated Sue felt in their new environment. He took it upon himself to find her employment at Children’s Hospital Colorado- Colorado Springs, a new, beautiful campus where Crothall had recently posted an advertisement for housekeepers.  

While her lack of confidence in speaking English was an early struggle, Sue used her new position as an opportunity to practice the language. Over the years, she has become more confident, having made friends and experienced meaningful interactions with children and their families. The support of her managers and team was integral to her success and paved the way for Sue to live the life she does today. As a housekeeper, she says her goal is to, “not leave a patient’s room until I have made them smile.”  

Sue’s story was recently featured on our Crothall blog, and can be read here.

Sonia Benitez, Housekeeper, California Rehabilitation Institute 

Sonia Benitez has built a stellar reputation in her four years with Crothall. A housekeeper with a perfect attendance record, she is known throughout California Rehabilitation Institute as the housekeeper who brightens the day of medical staff and patients alike. She never says “no” to her team members, exemplifying the “service” in Environmental Services, and is known for her enthusiasm for recovering patients, including her dancing for them to cheer them up. She goes above and beyond, training new hires and notably working extra hours throughout the pandemic.  

When director Nicholas Sheets first joined the team at California Rehabilitation Institute, he found himself overwhelmed while acclimating in his early days at the job, unsure how best to proceed. Sonia approached him one day early in his tenure and reassured him that his efforts were not going unnoticed. She asked Nicholas how he felt, and how he was adjusting during the transition period, ultimately leaving him in a much more positive place by the time she left. The impact of their conversation became only greater when Nicholas realized it occurred during Sonia’s lunch break.  

Sonia’s personality has left a mark on all the people she encounters, from team members, to medical staff, to patients and their families. Her dedication to and passion for service is exemplary of the values of Crothall EVS.    

A Lasting Impact

Crothall’s EVS teams do more than maintain clean environments—they lift spirits, support healing, and make a lasting impact on everyone they encounter. By trusting Crothall, clients can be confident that they are partnering with professionals who truly care, ensuring a positive and welcoming experience for both staff and patients every day.