Val has proven to be an exceptional teacher and mentor from the moment I joined this clinic. Regardless of the question or task at hand. Val consistently extends her support and is always ready to lend a helping hand. She goes above and beyond for her patients, ensuring they have a dedicated advocate by their side. Her compassion and thoughtfulness shine through in her actions. While she can be firm and direct when necessary, it is precisely this quality that has enabled her to lead the clinic as a formidable charge RN effectively. Her departure will undoubtedly leave a void, as her unparalleled wealth of knowledge and dedication is irreplaceable. Overall, Val’s contributions to the clinic extended far beyond her role as a charge RN. She is a true asset, and her presence will be sorely missed. The impact of her guidance and mentorship will continue to resonate long after she moves on to this next chapter. I wish her the best retirement.

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There are very few nurses I’ve met who exemplify what it means actually to provide care for their patients. Valsamma John is most certainly among those few. When I joined the clinic team last year, it was made very clear very quickly that Val would do anything in her power to help the folks in her care. Whether it’s calling doctors directly to help get a patient the treatment they require, contacting family members of patients, reaching out to other clinics, or even calling patients who have missed their standing appointments to see if everything is all right. Val has worked tirelessly to be the answer to any problems that arise on a daily basis. There have been times that Val has remained in the clinic after her shift to make sure that her patients are getting anything and everything they need before she leaves. Her extensive knowledge of all things clinic-related has made her a powerful asset when it comes to onboarding new staff, as well. I’m thankful for every bit of wisdom that she’s managed to impart to me in our time together before her well-deserved retirement. From what I’ve seen, Val has been the epitome of what a nurse should be and serves as a monumental example for anyone involved in patient care. Having the sort of dedication and empathy she’s had for people over 20 years has made everyone who had crossed paths with Val incredibly lucky, and I’m incredibly fortunate to have been one of them.

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I’d like to nominate my Charge Nurse, Valsamma John, for her leadership role here in our outpatient Burn/Wound Clinic. Since I started three years ago, she has welcomed me as family and has taught me ways to improve patient care through optimizing wound care. She’s had a vital role in the clinic and always helps to maintain communication with the staff and patients. When problems arise, she goes far beyond what is required, not only to make sure staff concerns are heard but also to advocate for patients and ensure all and all patient care issues are resolved. Val works with patients' schedules and considers their home situations in order to come up with a plan that works for them while still receiving the best treatment possible. She constantly communicated effectively with residents, new and old, each month to come up with an optimal plan for her patients and always pushed her staff to think rationally about what the most effective treatment for a burn or a wound may be. She encourages staff to continue their education and join in on education treatments for patients. She’s definitely been a role model for me as she continuously pushes me to the best of my abilities. I admire her passion for burn and wound care, and we will all miss her dearly when she retires. I can honestly say Val has made an imprint on not only my life in the world of burn and wound care, but for anyone who has stepped foot in our clinic.

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Val is an excellent mentor. Everyone would say she is an equal member of the team and always makes herself available to anyone who needs her help or expertise. I love working with Val and am so grateful for everything she has taught me. She sets an amazing example and always wants the best for our patients. She goes above and beyond to ensure they receive the best care every day. She will often call patients who have missed their appointments with us just to make sure that they are okay and receiving the care they need to get better. She is so authentic and passionate about what she dies. Whenever Val is on vacation, her absence is felt. Although I am happy for her as she gets to retire soon after a long and successful career, she will truly be missed. The depth of her knowledge and clinical expertise often feels irreplaceable, and I feel so lucky to have worked alongside her and learned so much from her.