Every year, veterans on the special Bowel and Bladder program must complete paperwork. Sometimes, it can take a while for the bureaucratic forms to make their way through the correct hands, and if it doesn’t happen seamlessly, veterans may not get their funding right away. The veterans are often supposed to do most of the work, but navigating the process can be difficult. This year, Michelle Gibson took a proactive approach. She contacted community care to see which veterans were already in the program and then sent the information to them. She planned enough lead time to make sure everything was completed on time. Last week, we saw a veteran, and he and his wife complimented Michelle on getting the paperwork to them. They stated they liked the easy-to-use instructions and were hopeful everything would be settled before the yearly authorizations expired. Way to go, Michelle!
--

I am writing to nominate Michelle Gibson, RN - RCS Nurse Care Coordinator for Rehabilitation Care Services (RCS). Michele not only brings outstanding Clinical Skills to the Care of Multiple Sclerosis Veterans followed by RCS but is also always willing to help out her peers working with other RCS patient populations (Acute Inpatient, ALS/General Rehab, MSK, PolyTrauma, Stroke) as needed as evidenced by recent feedback from a peer "I just wanted to take a minute to acknowledge Michelle and her help while I was gone, and this week upon my return. She has gone above and beyond to help me keep up with the Movement is Medicine program. Every day this week, when she finished her program, she jumped into MIM and kept pushing through with me. I appreciate the help and want to ensure you know its impact on the program and me."

Ms. Gibson has been actively involved in the implementation/support of RCS Whole Health initiatives such as the Movement in Medicine program. As her Nurse Manager, I have received numerous comments/feedback from Staff and Veterans for her going above and beyond to meet Veteran's needs, such as "I know I will never get tired of hearing about the above and beyond care our nurses do so I wanted to give a shout-out to Michelle. Today, we had a disabled veteran in MS clinic who “doesn’t like to answer his phone.” I had multiple recommendations at our last visit, and most had not gotten done despite trying to assist with the scheduling. No worries. Today, Michelle escorted the veteran to the lab to have his blood drawn, imaging to get neck x-rays, got him scheduled for a DEXA scan, got scheduled with podiatry, gave the veteran a written copy of his appointment, emailed his case manager with the appointments then escorted him to travel. Whew! All with a smile. Although these were not nursing specific tasks, Michelle filled in as she always does for ““whatever is needed” These are just a few of the feedback I have received concerning Mrs. Gibson’s performance which exemplifies the Mission of the VA to Care for our Nations Veteran’s.