Rizza Dumalag Wins 2022 ESPRIT Award!

“A force to be reckoned with.”

In one of her ESPRIT nomination letters, Rizza was described as a force to be reckoned with. “As a former IPU (In Patient Unit) nurse, Rizza is able to see beyond what is obvious, and does things proactively without even being told to,” praised the writer. “She is very understanding with nursing team members, making sure they feel heard and trying to accommodate their schedules so that there is a good work-life balance. She is also extremely good at defusing difficult family situations through active listening. And there are days when I know that she’s working after hours, when no one is looking, to make sure that the team workflow is ready by next day.”

Organized, supportive, and dedicated to keeping her team informed and up-to-date, Rizza is well-versed in Medicare requirements and makes it a priority to educate her team, keeping them abreast of ever-changing guidelines and protocols. Her support for her colleagues never wavers, no matter how challenging the circumstances. When she was unexpectedly stuck in her native Philippines for several weeks due to the COVID pandemic, she didn’t miss a beat, working nights (due to the 12-hour time difference) while it was daytime in New York, to ensure a smooth workflow for the entire team.

Not surprisingly, going above and beyond is in her DNA. Even though, as Hospice Team Manager, it wasn’t in her job description, Rizza didn’t hesitate to pitch in during a nursing shortage, accompanying a hospice physician into the field to provide nursing care for patients and comfort to their families. Equally unsurprising is her humility. “It is rewarding when your hard work is being recognized, and I dedicate this ESPRIT award to the team,” she says. As for the secret to her success in her role? “I love hospice and I enjoy working for hospice; and I think when you put your heart and mind into something you love doing, then everything falls into place.”