LAREDO, Texas - Senator Judith Zaffirini Friday (March 5) honored Michael J. Lambert, director, and the Physical Medicine Department staff of Laredo Medical Center for outstanding service to patients.

At a luncheon honoring them at LMC's private dining room, the senator presented Certificates of Excellence to Lambert and to Gloria Cisneros, physical therapists; Elizabeth Trevino and Veronica Flores, physical therapist assistants; San Juanita Perez, physical therapist aide; Elsa Reyes, office manager; and Diana Villarreal, receptionist.

In turn, the staff surprised Senator Zaffirini by awarding her with a plaque in recognition of her years of outstanding public service. In lieu of a centerpiece, a bouquet and basket of toys were arranged by Linda Lamantia to be presented to the Children's Advocacy Center in the name of the LMC physical medicine staff from Senator Zaffirini.

Carlos Treviño, vice president of operations, and Jerry Sparenberg, chief financial officer, represented the administration, as did the senator's sister, Celita Pappas Borchers, auxiliary director at LMC.

"Physical therapists have a special calling," Senator Zaffirini said to the staff. "You are amazing, not only because of your knowledge, training and skills, but also because of the immense compassion, sensitivity and caring that you demonstrate in dealing with your patients, regardless of their disability, socioeconomic level or age."

The senator broke her shoulder in Albuquerque last September and was treated since then, primarily by Lambert. "At first we were nervous about her being a senator," he said, "but once her arm was in my hands, it was just like any other arm. It took us about 30 seconds to get over it!"

Ranked fourth in seniority in the 31-member Texas Senate, Senator Zaffirini has served three consecutive terms as Chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, five terms as a member of the Appropriations Conference Committee that writes the state's budget, six terms on the Senate Finance Committee and eight consecutive terms on the Senate Education Committee.

She is Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee and a member of the Legislative Budget Board and Senate Committees on Education, Health and Human Services and International Relations and Trade.

For more information contact the Senator's Capitol office staff via 512/463-0121, or visit her website at http://www.zaffirini.senate.state.tx.us.

Laredo Medical Center Physical Medicine Department staff members hold Certificates of Excellence presented to them Friday by Senator Judith Zaffirini. Shown at a luncheon honoring them are (front row, L-R) Veronica Flores, Elizabeth Treviño, Gloria Cisneros, Senator Zaffirini, San Juanita Perez, Director Michael J. Lambert, Diana Villareal and Elsa Reyes, and (back row, L-R) Jerry Sparenberg and Carlos Treviño.

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