Ms. Pope exemplifies the VA's I-CARE values. She goes above and beyond in everything she does and, in particular, recently with the COVID-19 vaccination efforts. She has continually put herself into the trenches, so to speak, to ensure high-quality and efficient patient care is provided. For example, if there are not enough staff to support vaccine clinics, she will step in and do progress note documentation herself – sometimes entering ~100 notes for the mass-vaccination events. When she is not directly supporting patient care at these events, she is actively coordinating staff, ensuring resource needs are met, and even supplying staff with treats (she has brought pastries and even pizza for the 30+ staff). She advocates to leadership when her staff is struggling and readily acknowledges them for their successes/achievements.

While the food may engender positive employee attitudes about Ms. Pope, it is truly her commitment to them and the Veterans which has gained her the respect from leadership, her peers, and her team. Speaking from experience, the Nursing Service has struggled for many years. Ms. Pope has been a beacon of hope and the proverbial "cavalry" towards mitigating that struggle. I am confident in the belief that the service, as well as the COVID-19 vaccination efforts, would not be the success they are today without Ms. Pope.