We had a female veteran walk into the WP Clinic thinking she had an appointment with an NP after she had her lab appointment. She was going to get her medications when the Veteran was informed that she did not have an appointment, she became upset and remained in the lobby. She was noticed by another Veteran crying, sitting, and rocking herself back and forth. The MSA was informed, and he notified Ms. Sparkman RN. Ms. Sparkman went to speak to the Veteran and brought her back to the exam room. Ms. Sparkman was able to assist the Veteran by not only getting all of her information straight but also listening to the veteran and allowing her to explain her situation and needs. Ms. Sparkman was able to obtain the medication information and provided it to the NP so that she could reorder them for the Veteran. She offered crackers and a drink (as she was a diabetic and had not eaten), reached out to the Social worker to speak to the Veteran, and offered her services. Ms. Sparkman spent about 3.5 hours with the Veteran, never leaving her side, listening to her, and helping her obtain the majority of her meds as she was new to the area and had been away for several years and lives 2.5 hours away and has a little girl that she wanted to make sure has a safe place to stay with her brother.

Ms. Sparkman performed an excellent, professional, and caring act towards this Veteran, who was very fortunate to come into the clinic and be assessed by Ms. Sparkman. They were both meant to cross paths at the same time with one another. The female veteran may have been crying at the point during that appointment but left with a great big smile on her face and was very grateful to Ms. Sparkman for everything that she had done for her and for listening to her.