Beyond the Call of Duty
At a time when negative media attention is rampant and employee morale low, the Phoenix VA Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) providers are privileged to share a beautiful story. In helping to honor a dying veteran's wish, we bore witness to one of the most humbling moments in our program's history. For those who do not know of our program, HBPC services are among the primary reasons some of our veterans are able to live out their final years comfortably in their homes and surrounded by friends and loved ones. Our team also supports the transition into independent care facilities, assisted living, and other higher level of care settings that serve our community's aging and otherwise in-need population. The later years in life can be fraught with anxiety and grief for many facing significant life changes and losses of loved ones, function, and/or independence, and we're here to walk this journey with other patients. For patient X, this was no different.
Patient X lived a long and proud life, one filled with love and laughs. He had a zest for life that few know and he frequently called life a great adventure. He seldom had a negative word or complaint, so when he repeatedly told our team about his missing second heart, we listened. As the patient's family shared with Channel 3 news, who also covered this story, he seldom spoke with them of his service during World War II and they did not know of his history of injuries until recently. With the help and encouragement of the HBPC Nurse and Social Worker, we applied for Patient X's medals and learned that he in fact had several outstanding to be awarded, including a Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
As Patient X's health began to fail this year, our Social Worker and Psychologist fought tirelessly to have our patient's medals expedited and he received them in the mail, but it didn't stop there, while Patient X's HBPC nurse, Rose Reid, began making calls and urged SW and Psychology to make more calls…and more calls…Rose refused to give up until she uncovered a worthy means thru which to honor her long-time patient. Rose began her feverish attempt to have Patient X honored by our Senator. With the help again of Nursing, Social Work, the Psychologist, the family, VA Public Affairs staff, Channel 3 news, and Senator McCain's office, Patient X was formally awarded his multiple outstanding awards on Memorial Day, May 30, 2016, at age 90 by Senator McCain, General Michael McGuire, and officials in person and by his bedside. Our team and Patient X's family alike believe he held on just long enough to receive these medals.
We feel privileged to do the work we do and to be with families in their final moments with their loved ones. We have the honor of working with patients like Patient X daily and hope this story is a reminder that there is always a beautiful story untold. As the HBPC Psychologist myself, I wanted to share this story as a tribute to the incredible team that I feel privileged daily to serve who work tirelessly in supporting and advocating for our veterans and often go unnoticed behind the scenes.
To the families and veterans we serve, HBPC has been invaluable in enhancing quality of life for the incredible veterans who regularly and proudly honor and trust us with their care.
When asked if we could share her father's story, his daughter replied:
"Thank you for sharing your beautiful story. You certainly have my consent to share it openly. "Beyond the Call of Duty" is the perfect title. It is both what Dad did in his service to our country, and what your team did in caring for our family. We couldn't be more grateful to all of you."