During my stay in COVID PCU, a few items stood out that I believe are noteworthy. While I may not know the “nuts and bolts” of the operation, I have watched my grandparents, parents, and twin brother go through leaving this earth. There are those that stand out from the rest, and Kari Reed Bocock is the one that I think of that is head and shoulders above the rest. She demonstrated professionalism while caring above the call of duty for me as a patient.

The first thing I noticed was how she would make sure the food was accessible, cut, and took the plastic cover off the fruit, over the sink. This is huge to someone in PCU and likely to make a mess if left for me to do. Kari would come into my room, and my physical being was encouraged by her presence, smile, compassion, and caring heart, which caused me not to lose heart. Even my soul was renewed each day by Kari’s faith. Kari is the aroma of life leading to life, just by her very presence. She would adjust my oxygen and then wait to watch the results, maybe another adjustment, and would not leave until she was satisfied with what I needed at the moment. Kari is a quick thinker on her feet. I had a suction wand that had a way of finding the floor from my bed. It was replaced twice, and then Kari got an envelope and taped it to the bed rail where it was accessible and no longer found the floor. I see this as “time management” and efficient with resources and cost-effective. Solving the issue saved time for several days afterward and material resources.

The VAMC PCU has a valuable asset with Kari and a team player that her values quickly spread to the nurses, doctors, and even housekeeping. This was accomplished under adverse and extreme environmental conditions, as my room was under negative pressure, and all that entered had to wear a hood, 3M pump/filter, coat, and gloves. Kari showed extraordinary compassion and care are exemplary of the nursing profession.