I have had the pleasure of working with Shapell for only 8 months and in that short period, I have seen many examples of the passion she has for her career. She is a nurse who puts her heart into her work daily. One specific example I can recall is when our Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) had a veteran call the clinic very upset because he wanted medical marijuana prescribed. This veteran called the senator to complain as well as the Crisis hotline requesting his medication. When Shapell contacted the veteran by telephone, she immediately felt he was mentally unwell and appeared to be in a psychotic state because the nature of his request was not being taken seriously by other clinicians he had previously contacted.

Shapell contacted the social work liaison for our CBOC to initiate a welfare check on the veteran. Shapell deeply feared that the veteran would hurt himself or someone else or place himself in a situation that would get him injured. While still on the phone with the veteran EMS, the Houston Police Department arrived at the veteran’s home. After continuing to speak with Shapell on the phone and much negotiating the veteran agreed to be admitted to MEDVAMC MH unit voluntarily. The veteran was taken by EMS and admitted for acute psychosis. Before Shapell left home for the day she said, "Now I will be able to sleep tonight knowing he is safe." This is only one of the many examples where Shapell has shown her exemplary nursing care. Being a new clinic, Shapell has quickly earned her star by showing her compassion and care for the VA and veterans in every encounter she faces. When a veteran expresses concern, her response is always, "How can I help?" To me, Shapell will always be a DAISY Nurse.