OLEAN, NY – Olean General Hospital (OGH), a Kaleida Health facility, is proud to announce the winner of the 2026 November Star Award. This month’s recipient is Karla Zielinski, a unit clerk in radiology. Zielinski has been with OGH since 1992.

“Karla consistently goes above and beyond to care for both patients and her team. Most recently, when a patient with a pacemaker needed an MRI, Karla spent several hours contacting hospitals in Florida to obtain the patient’s medical records and help ensure the implant could be verified as MRI-safe before the procedure. Her dedication and persistence did not go unnoticed, with colleagues from multiple departments recognizing her efforts,” said her nomination. “Other colleagues have expressed gratitude for Karla’s help, describing her as kind, helpful and extremely patient throughout the process. Karla is a true patient advocate and imaging is blessed to have her.”

The Star Award is presented monthly to an employee who demonstrates outstanding performance and inspires the same in others. Staff members are nominated for exceptional customer satisfaction, continuous performance improvement, teamwork, communication, ownership and accountability and excellence through coworker or patient nominations.

The following were also nominated for Star Awards: Autumn Freer, RN, PACU; Julia Grandinetti, RN, second floor; Bethany Haynes, RN, third floor; and Abby Hill, RN, second floor.

Star award recipients receive an additional paid day off, a certificate of recognition, and the star award parking spot.