Sheri Everett has been employed with the Department of Veterans Affairs for nearly eight years. I first met Sheri over twenty years ago at a local hospital. Fast forward all these years and we reconnect here at the Lafayette Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC). Sheri has the same work ethic, concern, and compassion for her patients now that she possessed back then. Daily, I have the privilege to witness her genuine care and compassion for our Veterans and their families. She is the most caring and compassionate nurse I’ve known in my thirty-six years in the medical field. Sheri is always willing to go the extra mile to ensure our Veterans are cared for appropriately and in a timely manner. She is persistent in follow-up calls to ensure all Veteran’s requested needs are met. As it relates to I-CARE, Sheri excels in all principles with each Veteran encounter she has daily. For the longest time, a local Veteran would contact the clinic, sometimes several times a week, and would only speak to “Ms. Sheri.” His medical requests and needs were sometimes over and beyond that of a call center nurse. Sheri, through her ICARE principles, would always find a way to have the Veteran's needs met, oftentimes contacting family, Community Care, or private (outside of the VA) providers to assist. On his last call to the call center, the Veteran asked for “Ms. Sheri” only to make her aware that he had recently admitted himself to the care of Hospice and wanted to simply thank her for all she had done for him over the years. The Veteran’s daughter remained in touch with Sheri, eventually making her aware of his passing from this life to his next. Prior to his declining health, I had the opportunity to speak to this Veteran, and he would always refer to Sheri as his “family.” I was grateful for all she had done for him. Sheri also organizes events at the Lafayette CBOC (Nurse’s Week, employee birthdays, doctor’s week, decorates the clinic for holidays etc.…) which brings excitement to the staff. Her tireless, skilled passion and devotion to staff, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and our Veterans are greatly appreciated by all. 

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Sheri has demonstrated and has proven a practice of Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy and Excellence. A specific story of how the CCC Triage RN, Sheri, has gone above and beyond is this story of care provided by a Triage phone call (please note it is very rare that a veteran calls from Honolulu to receive guidance): She received a call from a Veteran’s wife who stated they were in process of moving from Samoa, USA to Ft Johnson, La and were currently in Hawaii where their first flight in a series of 4 flights landed. They spent the night at a Hotel in Honolulu and were planning to board the next plane to land in California. Then, from California, they would board 2 more planes till they arrived at their destination. Veteran began experiencing chest pain and the spouse was calling the VA Triage RN line for help. Sheri, as triage RN, utilized the e911 phone system through CCC Finesse application and kept the wife on the line while contacting e911. Through e911, she was able to quickly get connected to the Honolulu 911 system, which activated ambulance services immediately to this hotel location in Honolulu. Veteran was already in a wheelchair, therefore she advised for wife to get Veteran to the 1st floor near hotel entrance in order for Ambulance to quickly locate Veteran. With the 911 operator on the line, she and the operator were able to have the front desk personnel locate a defibrillator in the lobby in case needed. Sheri remained on the line until the ambulance arrived and located the Veteran. The ambulance arrived within approx. 7 min of the beginning of the call to nurse triage. The Veteran’s wife was so thankful to receive help through the VA triage line. This is only one of many calls received and each Veteran receives the same Quality care via phone, she is dedicated to the call center and veterans. As her supervisor, I audit calls for quality, and all of her calls are handled in the same manner, extraordinarily going above and beyond to take care of the veteran. Mrs. Sheri Everett RN is a true DAISY Nurse.