I have been an employee at the Statesboro, VA, for almost five years now, and there is one person who really stands out: Lara Birdsong. We all work as a team, but when things go wrong, which I am sure they do in all offices. She is there front and center. It doesn't matter if it is a Patient who has become a little irritated for some reason or if there is something else, Lara goes the extra mile in every aspect of her role and then some. She makes sure that every patient who leaves this clinic is satisfied. Lara takes the lead in making sure we have all supplies and when they are out or things just don't come in. She is on the phone or computer, contacting whoever she needs to speak with to make sure we get what we need to continue Patient care. Lara goes above and beyond her call of duty. When anything goes wrong, the first name everyone calls in this office is Lara. I have watched her work when she didn't feel well and continued to work just so that the office would not be short-staffed in any area.

Last summer, Lara broke her foot, but she made sure that everything was still taken care of by reaching out to this clinic every single day. When something went wrong during her recovery, she made sure I had every phone number or email to get a hold of whomever I could fix the issue.

I have been in the Medical field (LPN) about 33 years, and I have not met a person more dedicated to the well being of our Veterans.
 
I am also a Veteran, and I have been out of the Military since 1988. I have yet to meet a person with her drive when it comes to
taking care of Veterans. She uses her own vacation time to make sure each Veteran who wants to attend Honor Flight gets an
opportunity to go, and this takes place twice a year. So, she is dedicated not only during work hours but even when she is not on the clock. 

The hard work and dedication that Lara Birdsong exhibits each and every day make her a true DAISY Nurse.