April 2026 Honoree
Emily B Southwell, Registered Nurse
My 91-year-old father was in the hospital at VA last week before going home on hospice. He was on the 3rd floor. My dad’s final wish was to go fishing one more time.
His nurse on his last couple of days there, Emily, was just amazing! She was so sweet to my Daddy and talked to him about fishing a lot.
The day before he came home, she made him a fishing pole from tubing, with tape on the end. She cut out fish and drew cat faces on them for catfish. She brought it in, and he got to fish over the side of the chair. He really got a kick out of that.
As it turned out, unfortunately, that would be his last fishing trip, as he passed away the day after he came home.
Without Emily’s above-and-beyond kindness and caring, my dad would never have gotten that last fishing trip. She doesn’t know how much that meant to our family, and we will never forget her.
So thankful for all the VA has done for my dad. He will be truly missed.
With the greatest gratitude.
His nurse on his last couple of days there, Emily, was just amazing! She was so sweet to my Daddy and talked to him about fishing a lot.
The day before he came home, she made him a fishing pole from tubing, with tape on the end. She cut out fish and drew cat faces on them for catfish. She brought it in, and he got to fish over the side of the chair. He really got a kick out of that.
As it turned out, unfortunately, that would be his last fishing trip, as he passed away the day after he came home.
Without Emily’s above-and-beyond kindness and caring, my dad would never have gotten that last fishing trip. She doesn’t know how much that meant to our family, and we will never forget her.
So thankful for all the VA has done for my dad. He will be truly missed.
With the greatest gratitude.
Thank you, Emily B, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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