I worked with Jackie on 1A years ago when I first came to ACY. She was a case manager then. I really do not know where to start. I was very impressed from the beginning with Jackie's dedication, passion, clinical expertise, and total devotion to advocating for patients. She is an excellent mentor. The story that I am going to speak about made me proud to be a nurse. It touched my heart, gave me a memory that I will never forget and always cherish!
We had a patient who had become well known to us through his multiple admissions and treatment for Cancer. But now he was dying. He had a son who was a senior in high school, and he was trying to hang on to see him graduate. It was his only desire. He was very sick, too weak to leave the hospital. Jackie took it upon herself to call the son's high school principal and explain the situation and share her idea. Together they formed a plan. The next weekend when the principal and his son would not be in school, Jackie arranged for the principal to come to the patient's bedside. So, in his hospital room with all his family in attendance and all his caregivers at the bedside, his son dressed in his cap and gown, the Principal presented the graduating diploma to his son. The patient was able to present his son with a special gift, a watch that he was saving for his graduation present. It was so beautiful and touching to all in attendance. Not one dry eye in the house. It meant the world to this man and his son. This was Jackie! It is only one example of her dedication. I have witnessed many. She truly deserves The DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Jackie started working at TVHS almost 30 years ago and her legacy of extraordinary, compassionate nursing care continues on 1A Medical Unit to this day! Ms. Odom has filled a myriad of nursing roles on her unit and beyond during her decades of service including 1A Wound Resource Nurse, 1A Charge Nurse, 1A RN Preceptor, 1A Discharge Facilitator, and TVHS Women Veterans Program liaison for 1A. She served as Nurse Manager for 9B when that building housed inpatient veterans for physical rehabilitation. Ms. Odom has further served TVHS on the nursing policy workgroup, through cardiology and urinary tract research projects, and as a member of the Nurse Professional Standards Board. Ms. Odom's impact on nursing service at TVHS is best measured by the many Veterans she has cared for over the years and by the many nurses who were and continue to be influenced by her practice. Veterans who were discharged from 1A inpatient care years ago still stop by the unit to visit their nurse, "Ms. Jackie." Her sincerity and strength of character are qualities that endear Ms. Odom to her patients and builds trust in the quality of nursing care delivered at TVHS. Ms. Odom was voted by her peers as the "1st Annual 1A Co-worker of the Year" in 2019. The award from her co-workers stated, "For your unwavering Enthusiasm & Cheerfulness, Hard Work & Customer Service, and Willingness to always lend a Helping Hand."
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When I began my nursing career on 1A in 2014, Jackie was the wound care nurse and attended to every wounded vet on a daily basis, but she did much more than that. She routinely provided any care any of the patients needed, from problem-solving to daily baths. No task was too big or too small. She continually taught her coworkers, both new and experienced, and her knowledge of nursing and the VA organization was and are vast. Always engaged, always ready to help, always passionate. She doesn't think twice about stepping up to advocate for patients, regardless of whose feathers need ruffling. She'll go head to head with patients, too, if it is in their best interest for her to do so. If I had to go into an emergency sight unseen, with no idea what I was walking in to, Jackie would be my first choice to have by my side. Jackie is versatile. The wound care position was eliminated some years ago, and Jackie seamlessly returned to the staff nurse and charge positions. I have a high work rate, but I still haven't figured out how she gets so much done, all the while supporting the rest of the staff. What gets me the most, though, is her endurance. Jackie has been performing at this level, under workloads that are equal to or higher than any in the hospital, for decades. That's very hard to do physically, let alone spiritually-and yet she remains just as passionate and dedicated to her calling as the day I met her. While our organization is blessed with many great nurses, I know of no better example of The DAISYAward's spirit than her.