UMF Reveals Top Hygiene Specialist

Maria Diaz De Leon has been named the recipient of UMF Corp.’s Hygiene Specialist® Excellence Award.

Now in its 15th year, UMF’s annual award highlights the contributions of environmental services (EVS) departments in reducing preventable healthcare-associated infections (pHAIs). Diaz De Leon, a hygiene specialist for Sodexo at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, was recognized for her exemplary work as night shift EVS supervisor, overseeing a team of more than 20 EVS professionals. As the winner of this year’s award, Diaz De Leon will receive an all-expenses paid week-long vacation for two, including airfare, to anywhere in the 48 states.

“We established the National Hygiene Specialist Excellence Award 15 years ago to recognize and celebrate the EVS staff such as Maria who are crucial to preventing the spread of pHAIs,” said George Clarke, UMF CEO. “As an EVS supervisor, Maria helps ensure her sizeable team is trained and prepared to properly clean and disinfect all perioperative areas. We are privileged to recognize the essential role she plays in helping Sodexo and Phoenix Children’s Hospital keep patients, visitors, and staff safe.”

About UMF
Skokie, Illinois-based UMF Corp. designs, develops, and manufactures high-performance textile products for the infection prevention markets under the brand name PerfectClean. For more information, visit perfectclean.com.

About Sodexo
Founded in 1966, Sodexo is a global provider of integrated food and facilities management services with more than 380,000 employees in 80 countries. For more information, visit sodexo.com.