St. Cloud VA Health Care System is fortunate to employ a team of nurses who have a passion for providing care to those suffering from cancer or blood disorders. Being involved in this area of nursing brings out the best in nurses and each of them has a personal and oftentimes, emotional stake in caring for them as there is an established rapport of trust and compassion.

The Hematology/Oncology Nursing Team demonstrates the ICARE values on a daily basis, and this was clearly evident this past summer. During the summer of 2021, the Hematology/Oncology/Infusion/and the Referrals Coordination Team (RCT) worked fast and furiously to coordinate care for approximately 275 Veterans after the unexpected resignation of our hematologist/oncologist. Prior to this unfortunate event, several of those Veterans had their provider appointments canceled more than once. These patients were classified, as "high-priority," as they really needed to be seen by an oncologist to determine the effectiveness of treatment plans or re-staging of their disease. Several other patients needed to have a provider assigned in order to keep their medications for their cancers or blood disease filled. In addition, there were several others who needed a provider to order labs and return-to-clinic appointments.

The collaborative effort involved several MSAs: Karmen Schwegel, Nicole Morcomb, and Lisa Pebble. A stakeholder at the Leadership level, Breta Monroe, took on the role of signing lab orders, return-to-clinic orders and consult orders. She continues to be helpful by authorizing nursing to enter orders under her name until the Veteran gains an appointment with a Minneapolis Hem/Onc provider. There were several individuals involved to ensure no Veteran was "left behind." A spreadsheet was created and shared. Nursing reviewed every chart of every Veteran on the list, called them to offer them options for their care. Many stated they wanted to stay with St. Cloud VA Health Care System due to the excellent care provided. Although it wasn't possible to accommodate every request, the Veterans expressed appreciation and gratitude toward all the nursing staff involved to make sure all their care was seamless and timely. The nursing staff in the specialty and infusion clinics made a personal commitment on behalf of the Veterans that the ICARE values were upheld.