There are not enough words to describe how amazing Doris is. Her constant kindness and compassion shine through no matter who she cares for. Sometimes, it is easy to see this in challenging and difficult situations (e.g., in the “dark”). Therefore, it feels even more special when someone is able to do this in less challenging situations (e.g., in the “light”).

We recently cared for a veteran with late-stage Parkinson’s disease. Although his family was already doing an amazing job caring for him, Doris was still able to come in and help enable them to take even more comprehensive care of him. She would patiently field his wife and granddaughter’s calls about various concerns, and she never hesitated to rearrange her schedule so that she could drive out to Waianae to see them. Through the team’s time working with this veteran and his family, a chair lift was installed, greatly improving the veteran’s quality of life. This enabled his family to transport him out of the home more safely and easily.

His wife shared an amazing photo with Doris of the two of them enjoying the day riding the rail. The veteran passed rather unexpectedly and abruptly one morning. His wife’s first call to the team that day was to Doris. His wife did not need to call the team at all, and yet her connection with Doris was such that she reached out during an incredibly difficult time to share the news and her gratitude.

Although these are just snapshots of one veteran’s care, they are examples one could extrapolate to all of the patients Doris cares for, regardless of where their care falls on the scale of difficulty. She makes each Veteran and family feel like they are the only people she cares for. Working with and learning from her has helped me become a better provider and a better person. Doris is an exemplary person and nurse.