Ms. Jessica Lopez is a nurse in the Intensive Community Mental Health Recovery (ICMHR) Program. She provides community-based treatment to veterans with serious mental illness and severe functional impairment. The mission is to help veterans help themselves and others through empowerment and meaningful community reintegration. She makes weekly visits out to patients’ homes to provide their mental health care and support recovery. Jessica does so much more than the job description.

Ms. Lopez arrived at one of her veteran’s homes. Upon arrival it was noted that the Veterans’ dog had passed away. The Veteran did not have the physical capabilities to bury his beloved friend. Jessica knew that the Veteran's need that day was not a nursing need. She talked to the Veteran and he stated that he wished his friend to be laid to rest in his yard. The Veteran told Jessica where she could locate a shovel and she and the social worker were able to bury him in the yard.

Another example of how she advocates for her Veteran’s needs. Ms. Lopez arrived at Vet’s home for a home visit and for medication boxes. She knocked on the door and could hear the Veteran inside and she asked if she could come in and heard Veteran say "Yes." She attempted to enter Veteran’s home and noted the door was blocked with a chair. Able to peer inside the Veteran's home and noted the Veteran unclothed, dirty, disoriented, not responding to stimuli, and covered in bruises. She attempted to gain access into the home to assess Veteran but was unable to fit through the door as it was blocked with chairs. She continued to talk with the Veteran to assess and to remove the chairs from the door. She then contacted ICMHR LCSW who was nearby and able to come and assist with the situation. Emergency services were called. Jessica was then able to push door open enough for LCSW to gain access into home and remove chairs from the door prior to EMS arriving.

They provided the Veteran with some water to drink and assisted him to dress prior to EMS arriving so he would have his dignity when being taken outside. The Veteran was transported to a local hospital and eventually was admitted. Jessica is always doing extra things like delivering dog food to Veterans, ensuring they have food, she drove in the ice storm to make sure our Veterans had their med boxes opened despite the Kerrville campus being closed……She not only serves her Veterans, but she also serves STVHCS by serving on the Outpatient Mental Health UBC. She exhibits all the ICARE values and the compassion of DAISY.