Our VA Connecticut health care DAISY Award Honoree for September 2024 is Ashley E. Pepin, RN (Nurse Manager for COBC, CBOC West- Waterbury, Winsted, Danbury, Stamford.) She was recognized for her outstanding contributions and compassionate care to one veteran, whom she continued to follow up with biweekly calls to check in on following some difficult family events a year later, even when she was no longer assigned to that care team. Ashley's genuine act of kindness highlights her dedication to nursing excellence and embodies our ICARE values. See below for her nomination write-up highlighting the qualities and actions that led to her being honored with the DAISY Award:
 
When Ashley was part of Dr. C's team, she would regularly meet with a patient, Mr. H. Mr. H has a wife who is dying of cancer and a daughter who is nearing the end of her life due to complications of Type 1 diabetes. Ashley separated from Dr. C's team in October of 2023 but has been continuing to make biweekly telephone check-in calls to Mr. H almost a year later. Mr. H considers Ashley to be a core part of his support system and cherishes their check-ins. He has individually expressed to both me and Dr. G that if it weren't for the continued support and communication from Ashley, he would be lost and not be able to get through his difficult times. In continuing to follow up with this patient that whom Ashley no longer has direct responsibility, Ashley has truly gone above and beyond and embodies the very spirit and ethos of nursing at its highest levels.