Ms. Amanda Hiljus embodies the spirit of the DAISY Award by, unbeknownst to her, sprinkling ordinary days with extraordinary touches for those Veterans she lovingly cares for in the Geriatrics clinic. 

She displays integrity by maintaining the trust and confidence of all with whom she engages.  A Veteran’s daughter, his primary caregiver, was known to call the clinic and by the daughter’s own admission be demanding.  Ms. Hiljus with utmost patience and an overarching concern for Veteran’s care, with each call, delivered exquisite care.  In doing so, she maintained and enhanced trust and confidence. The Veteran’s daughter would also come to the clinic unannounced to request tasks.  Ms. Hiljus, through steadfast integrity, maintained trust and confidence.  Then one day, unannounced, the Veteran’s daughter brought a small brown paper bag for Ms. Hiljus.  In it, contained, lemons, banana, and avocado grown by the Veteran from his yard.  With mist in her eyes, the Veteran’s daughter expressed gratitude to Ms. Hiljus.  Ms. Hiljus had given extraordinary touches to this Veteran’s life through his daughter, his primary caregiver. 
Ms. Hiljus displays commitment by serving Veterans and their families by honoring the VA’s mission.  

Ms. Hiljus displays commitment through our current situation with understaffing.  With unwavering commitment, she has taken on additional duties and has willingly and supportively stayed overtime to accomplish VA’s mission in taking care of Veterans. Wherever there is a need, she has lent her support in tasks usually performed by others when present.  She has cheerfully checked in Veterans, wheeled Veterans to Tripler Army Medical Center ER next door, and readily taken phone calls not related to the Geriatrics clinic in order to assist Veterans in providing ultimate customer service. 

Ms. Hiljus displays advocacy in truly focusing on serving the Veteran.  She spent a lot of time with an elderly frail Veteran with multiple medical problems in order to answer his many questions and reassure him of the concerns he has.  This Veteran was so grateful that he penned a loving card expressing his gratitude to Ms. Hiljus and the clinic: “Thank you for always being right on when we need appointment or medication refills.  You ladies are always willing to go the extra mile to supply our needs.  Many times your staff is the only ones which we can depend upon to get us what we need.  God Bless you and keep you happy and healthy…” 

Ms. Hiljus displays respect by providing dignity and respect to everyone she serves and encounters whether it be Veterans, their families, co-workers, and others external to the VA Pacific Islands Healthcare System.  She is always professional, polite and compassionate in her day-to-day interactions with everyone.  Everyone who has interacted with Ms. Hiljus walks away feeling valued. 

Ms. Hiljus displays excellence and strives for the highest quality and continuous improvement.  She has outstanding clinical acumen.  In a recent case, on a phone call to the clinic, she advised the caregiver of a Veteran with multiple medical problems to have him go to the ER.  His presentation was not really straightforward, and it took insight and clinical acumen to make the right call.  The veteran ended up being admitted to the hospital, was treated and is now discharged back.  In another case, Ms. Hiljus advised the wife of a frail Veteran who had called to come into the clinic to have his wound checked, although the description wife provided on the phone did not seem concerning.  Thanks to Ms. Hiljus' acumen advising the wife to bring him into the clinic, he was seen, assessed, and recommended for ER evaluation and admitted. ER staff praised the clinical judgement and led him to coming to the ER. 

Ms. Hiljus is truly a DAISY Nurse.