CPT VanNieuwenhuyzen was informing a very worried and distraught mother that her son would be moved to a different room in the ICU to maintain patient safety. CPT VanNieuwenhuyzen maintained professionalism while actively listening to the mother's concerns and displayed tremendous empathy. She was calm, patient, and truthful. It took some time but ultimately the patient's mother understood why the move had to happen and I heard the mother exclaim what wonderful care she and her son had been getting while in the ICU and how grateful she was and how much she appreciated the caring ICU staff like her. CPT VanNieuwenhuyzen was committed to balancing patient safety and family satisfaction while navigating difficult circumstances involved in caring for a critically ill patient. This is not a one-time event but rather one example of care CPT VanNieuwenhuyzen provides every day. She is a highly intelligent nurse, a selfless team member, a dedicated patient advocate, and a humble leader. 

Upon her arrival at TAMC, CPT VanNieuwenhuyzen made an immediate positive impact. Her uplifting attitude and drive for excellence inspire everyone around her. Having come from Madigan, she was a tremendous asset during the MHS Genesis rollout, assisting her co-workers in navigating the new electronic health record. CPT VanNieuwenhuyzen shares her gifts with other staff members serving as a lead instructor of TAMC’s Integrating Multidisciplinary Palliative Care into the Intensive Care Unit (IMPACT-ICU) course. To date, she has trained over 60 multidisciplinary staff members in primary palliative care, a crucial and highly underrated skill all healthcare providers need. CPT VanNieuwenhuyzen is committed to excellence in nursing and professional practice. Her desire to deliver the best patient care is unmatched. She holds three national board certifications, and passes her knowledge onto the many 66Ss and 68Cs she has precepted. I am grateful to work with such an inspiring and talented Army Nurse.