My brother was enrolled in the MHICM program from 2017-2018. I always encouraged him to get help for PTSD, depression, anger, and anxiety issues, so when he was assigned Debbie Curtis as his case manager, I was skeptical that one person could help him in all the areas that I felt he needed. I am happy to say that this special nurse gave me no reason to doubt.

Ms. Curtis was very kind and genuine. I also like that she told us what to expect from the program and she delivered everything she said plus so much more than our expectations. Ms. Curtis has a unique personality and a very unassuming way to share knowledge and encouragement. She is down to earth and is always willing to help with whatever is needed. She definitely went above and beyond, because her care changed my brother's life and mine too. She helped him to understand that getting help was okay.

I never expected to benefit as much as I did when Ms. Curtis visited our home, but the family sessions she had with my brother and me are the reason we got our relationship back on track. Ms. Curtis went above and beyond by helping our family to understand my sister's diagnosis and medical issues when she was hospitalized. My brother and I were left to make medical decisions for her care and we would not have known our options for care if Ms. Curtis had not helped us talk with the doctors and social workers about her care. I did not know Ms. Curtis did not work on Fridays. She took several calls from us even a family conference twice, and made herself available to us on these days and never let on that she was not working. My brother found out when he went to the VA for an appointment on a Friday and asked to see Ms. Curtis and was told she didn't work on Fridays. I feel like her actions show true dedication to the Veterans she serves. When we thanked her and apologized for bothering her on her off days she told us, "You don't have to apologize, my heart works 7 days a week." I will never forget these words, they really show just how passionate she is about following through and providing quality care.

Ms. Curtis also helped me personally by helping me to organize my own medications. She educated me and my brother on our medications. I feel like she was my case manager too. She also helped me with Medicaid forms, paperwork for college, and Pell grant applications. Ms. Curtis said that helping me to get organized was also helping my brother. I can not say enough great things about Ms. Curtis. If I tried to write all the great experiences with her I would run out of paper. She helped my brother have a better relationship with his child's mother so that he was able to get visitation with my nephew.

Ms. Curtis has a special way with people and children, she is easy to talk to. She made me feel like my brother and I were a unit. She always emphasized that expressing our feelings as we have them was the best way to keep our relationship calm. She worked hard with us and had confidence in our ability to rebuild our relationship even when I was ready to scrap it. I am grateful to the MHICM program and the time that Ms. Curtis was our nurse. My brother and I are both in college and although my brother moved out of state, our relationship is close. I know that my brother and I still call on Ms. Curtis even though she is not assigned to us, she still helps us as much as possible. I feel like Ms. Curtis is the perfect example of what a DAISY Nurse should be.