Katherine is the kind of nurse that patients and families, as well as the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System staff, recognize as an outstanding role model. She exemplifies the VA’s I CARE core values in every aspect of her work and has had a significant impact in her role as a Referral Coordination Nurse.

Integrity

Katherine stepped into her role with remarkable dedication and has gone above and beyond to improve our processes within the Referral Coordination Team. She brought with her valuable knowledge from her previous VA position and used it to implement new procedures and standardize existing ones, always ensuring alignment with VA policies and guidance. Her unwavering commitment to following proper protocols demonstrates her integrity and desire to do what’s right for both our veterans and our team.

Commitment 

Katherine consistently shows her commitment to providing the highest level of care. She communicates directly with veterans regarding their specialty consults she is assigned, taking time to educate them about the process and their options. Her approach not only ensures clarity but also enhances the veteran experience, making them feel informed and empowered in their care decisions.

Advocacy

Throughout her nursing career, Katherine has been a powerful advocate for veterans. In her current role, she continues to voice concerns, suggest improvements, and take initiative when veterans express questions or needs—even if those concerns fall outside her immediate responsibilities.

She never hesitates to help guide veterans to the appropriate resources or provide resolution when needed. Her dedication to advocacy truly places the veteran at the center of everything she does.

Respect

Katherine treats every team member and veteran with professionalism and respect. Her communication is always courteous, thoughtful, and patient, regardless of the situation. She fosters a culture of mutual respect that strengthens both internal teamwork and veteran trust.

Excellence

Katherine’s organizational skills and clinical knowledge have elevated the performance of our team. She has willingly taken on responsibilities beyond her daily role, demonstrating a strong work ethic and a passion for excellence. Her contributions have helped streamline our workflow, support team cohesion, and ultimately improve patient care.

Katherine’s role may not involve direct clinical in person care with veterans, but her impact is deeply felt. She serves our veterans in a unique and powerful way, ensuring they receive timely, accurate, and compassionate care coordination. Her addition to our team has helped us excel and improve many of our processes. Her work reflects the essence of the I CARE values, and she is truly deserving of this recognition.