Anna Rood provides compassionate, competent care to all Veterans she encounters, whether she is assisting in a provider clinic, providing nursing care for nurse-only visits, making phone calls to Veterans, or providing nursing assistance to her colleagues throughout the ambulatory care setting.

I recall one time during one of my very first days of orientation with Anna when she assisted a Veteran through a complex and extensive day of medical care. She initially assisted the Veteran on the phone, then, after the provider received critical lab results, Anna followed up with him again to ensure he returned to the clinic and was transferred to the inpatient room he was then admitted to. Anna personally escorted the Veteran from the clinic to the inpatient room.

When the inpatient unit reached out because they were having difficulty obtaining IV access, Anna offered to attempt to place an IV for him. I was able to observe Anna’s interaction with the Veteran and her successful placement of an IV for him. The kindness and compassion she showed the Veteran put him at such ease; I believe it not only helped provide him comfort but contributed to the successful IV start. This all greatly impacted me, especially being a nurse who was new to the VA system and had not had the opportunity to care for Veterans before. This may sound corny, but I witnessed her demonstrate the VA's core values-all of them in that one interaction. Her commitment to one Veteran’s needs that day showed a level of dignity and respect I now strive to provide to others as well.