Murrieta Rotary Presents Five Vocational Service Awards

The Rotary Club of Murrieta awarded Vocational Service Awards to five individuals during a luncheon, Monday, April 17. The annual awards luncheon was held in the Murrieta Public Library’s Garden Court with city, education and health care leaders in attendance. Murrieta Mesa High School’s Culinary Arts Career and Technical Education pathway students catered the lunch under the direction of their teacher, Vanessa Cruz.

Vocational Service Awards were presented to:

Rebecca Plumlee, Stroke and Sepsis Coordinator at Loma Linda University Medical Center-Murrieta, and a nurse for 13 years, was recognized for her work with the care teams in stroke and sepsis care and her leadership in striving for excellence.

Todd Thornburg, a Murrieta Valley High School Teacher, was recognized for his work as an English teacher, coach and mentor. He has taught at MVHS for 22 of his 27 years in education and is passionate about literature and talented at developing writing skills.

Nina Trinh, Couplet Staff Nurse at Rancho Springs Hospital, received her Vocational Service Award for her exceptional approach to patients, visitors and staff in postpartum care. With 27 years in nursing, she strives to improve the lives of those she touches in the community as well.

Murrieta Firefighter/Paramedic Ben Urista was recognized for his resiliency in returning to duty after recovering from kidney replacement surgery. With six plus years at Murrieta Fire & Rescue, Urista was proactive in his journey through kidney disease and his return to active duty is a testament to his devotion to the City of Murrieta.

Rebecca Valerio, Public Safety Dispatcher with the Murrieta Police Department’s Support Division, was recognized for her exceptional dispatching skills and expertise based on her years of experience and commitment to the City of Murrieta, as well as her mentoring and leadership among her peers from all ranks. She has 31 years’ experience in policing and 15 years with the Murrieta Police Department.

“The Rotary Club is honored to recognize these upstanding citizens who through their work are making huge contributions to our community,” Linda Lunn, Murrieta Rotary’s Vocational Services Co-Chair, said. “These individuals exemplify the standards of Rotary, including ‘Service Above Self’ and the Four Way Test which stresses integrity and fairness while building good will and better friendships.

The honorees were nominated by their respective agencies for their distinguished vocational and community service during 2022.

The Rotary Club of Murrieta was chartered on April 28, 1992. The club is involved in many community and international projects, in cooperation with Rotary International, which has as its theme “Service Above Self.” Club meetings are held Mondays (excepting holidays) at noon at Richie’s Diner in Murrieta.

Holding their Vocational Service Awards were (from left) Fireman Ben Urista, Dispatcher Rebecca Valerio, Nurses Nina Trinh (represented by her daughter, Jasmine) and Rebecca Plumlee and Teacher Todd Thornburg.
Photo by Rob Haskins.