One morning I was told that a Soldier was referred to me because of an unexplained weight loss and disheveled appearance. Duenna Richardson had observed her in the clinic area and told me that "she didn't look right," ie not her normal presentation. Duenna alerted the Soldier's primary care manager and me, the Internal Behavioral Health Consultant (IBHC).

Upon talking with her, she was at first defensive, but shortly broke down and informed me of the chaos going on at home and that she was only eating one or two meals every 3 days in order to save money. No one else knew about this including the Soldier's chain of command. Without Duenna knowing her patients, this Soldier would have "fallen through the cracks" and not gotten any help.

Her primary care manager notified the Soldier's Commander and First Seargeant, and this Soldier was helped. I believe by her actions, Duenna saved this Soldier's life.