Gloria Ortiz, a highly respected housekeeper at Oak Hammock at the University of Florida, is known for her warmth, kindness and providing exceptional care for the senior living residents. With her gentle manner, welcoming smile and genuine compassion, Ortiz makes a lasting impression on everyone she meets. It’s no surprise that residents adore her.
Originally from Orocovis, Puerto Rico—a beautiful mountain town in the heart of the island—Ortiz moved to the United States in search of greater opportunities. After spending some time in New York City, she moved to Gainesville and has been here for the past 14 years.
Family is at the center of Ortiz’s life. Four of her sisters live in Gainesville, another in Tampa, and her brother resides in New York City. Her parents still live in Puerto Rico; her father, 85, has slowed down in recent years, while her mother, 74, remains active and well. Ortiz makes it a priority to visit them whenever she can.
Ortiz and her husband, Juan Viera, have been married for nearly 42 years. They chose to move to Gainesville to be close to their daughter and grandchildren. Together, they have five children—four sons and one daughter—living across the globe, from Gainesville to Germany to China. Gloria proudly shares that she is also “blessed with six granddaughters.”
Their family is especially close, often gathering for holidays and celebrations. Christmas, in particular, brings together more than 50 family members—a reflection of the love and connection they share.
Ortiz is also deeply valued by her colleagues and leadership at Oak Hammock. As her manager, Rebecca Snowden, shares: “Gloria Ortiz is always smiling and brings a positive, uplifting energy wherever she goes. She consistently steps in to assist with both housekeeping and laundry without hesitation, demonstrating true teamwork. Most importantly, she genuinely cares about the residents, and it shows in the kindness and attention she gives every day.”
Recently, Ortiz reflected on her work at Oak Hammock.
What are your job responsibilities?
“I’ve been working at Oak Hammock for almost three years. Before that, I worked at UF Health Shands for 12 years, and earlier in my career I taught school in Puerto Rico, and taught Spanish at my church.
My responsibilities include cleaning assisted living areas, apartments, and patient care spaces, as well as helping with laundry. My goal is to ensure everything stays clean, safe and comfortable for the residents. I work in Assisted Living in the mornings and in Skilled Nursing in the afternoons.”
What do you enjoy most about your work?
“I truly enjoy everything about my job. I take pride in creating a clean and safe environment where residents feel comfortable and at home.
I also love working with the other team members. Everyone is friendly, respectful and always willing to help. The residents feel like family to me, which makes my work even more meaningful.
How do you live out the ‘We Care’ values?
The We Care values—welcoming, exceptional, courteous, attentive, responsive and empathetic—guide everything we do.
I always strive to be kind, attentive and responsive to residents’ needs. I want them to feel heard, respected, and cared for. I believe a clean, peaceful environment helps residents feel truly at home.
Can you share a meaningful experience?
One of the best parts of my job is seeing the residents’ smiles. It means so much when they share positive feedback—it reminds me that I’m making a difference.
One resident once told me they appreciated that I do things others won’t do. That comment made me happy, because I always try to go above and beyond and treat residents like family.
I often think, ‘One day, I could be in their place,’ so I treat them the way I would want to be treated. I truly believe that what you give, you receive.
What might surprise people about you?
People might be surprised by how much joy I find in my work. I truly love helping others feel comfortable and cared for.
My faith is also very important to me and guides me in how I live and care for others every day.
How do you spend your time outside of work?
I love spending time with my family. We play board games, talk often and stay connected throughout the day—one of my granddaughters even calls me on her way to school.
My grandchildren range in age from five to 18, and we enjoy traveling together, visiting beaches, lakes, springs and going camping.
Family is everything to me. I always dreamed of having a big, close family and I feel very blessed.
Personal Goals
My personal goals are simple yet meaningful: to continue enjoying life with my family and making the most of every moment together. After staying home to raise my children and I returned to work at age 33. Caring for both my family and the residents I serve has always been at the heart of who I am.
“Gloria was my housekeeper for over two years; I cannot say enough wonderful things about her. She is dependable, trustworthy and takes great pride in everything she does. Gloria cared for my home as if it were her own, always leaving it spotless and beautifully organized. Her kindness, dedication and wonderful work ethic make her truly special. Gloria has been a blessing to have at Oak Hammock.” – Maryalice Nelson, resident
“Gloria was my housekeeper for about one year after I moved in. Her thoroughness and attention to detail showed how much she enjoyed her job. What I especially like about her, though, is her sense of humor and her joie de vivre. Gloria is just plain fun to be around. I still miss her.” – Ann Webster, resident
“Gloria was our regular housekeeper for about a year before moving to the Health Pavilion. She was consistently reliable, and we could always count on her to do a thorough, high-quality job. Combined with her friendly, upbeat attitude, she is a real asset to Oak Hammock.” – Bill and Mary Conner