It is with great admiration and respect that Veteran J and the entire H family nominate Steven Wilson, RN from The Sparks M. Matsunaga Department of Veterans Affairs Specialty Clinic Cardiology for the internationally recognized DAISY Award. As a very dedicated nurse in the VA Cardiology Specialty Care Unit, Steven Wilson, RN, consistently goes the extra mile and exceeds expectations with his extraordinary service day in and day out! Every single interaction we’ve ever had with him, in a very busy clinic, I might add, he always remains cool, calm, professional, and wise under pressure. He exemplifies the highest level of professionalism, compassion, and nursing technical expertise. There were numerous times Veteran Horner Jr. needed extra support and accommodations due to the cardiac and multi-organ complications and increasing health concerns, and Steven Wilson RN was there every step of the way to answer questions, get the proper procedures, medications, act as an advocate to connect resources and care, and guide us through troubling times. He even called us in the hospital and facilitated telephone appointments with the doctor when Veteran H Jr. was in critical condition and close to passing. His compassion and willingness to go the extra 6000 miles really touched our hearts that he and the doctor genuinely cared about our Dad and his well being.

We could not have made it without him. His contributions have a profound impact on both the patients he serves, and the healthcare team with whom he collaborates. In the sea of multiple changing variables in fiscal cuts, staffing shortages and Veterans Affairs, he remains the calming, confident, healing oasis in the middle of, many times, chaos and change that is ongoing in the veteran health system. We really appreciate Stephen Wilson RN. The VA has defined set a set of core values that guide its healthcare professionals in providing exceptional care and Steven Wilson RN meets all those criteria which is why I believe he deserves the DAISY Award.

Stephen Wilson, RN, epitomizes these values in his daily work, ensuring that each patient receives personalized, compassionate, high-quality care, which we got to experience over the years of care that he provided for our father, veteran J, over the many years he’s been treated by the doctor in the cardiology clinic. This dynamic duo are a big reason why our Dad is still alive and functioning well and was able to reach the ripe, wise, fulfilling age of 90 years old and going.

Integrity
Stephen Wilson, RN, displays integrity in all aspects of his work. He protects Veteran J's personal protected health information and communicates with us in a way that is effective, so that we can get the care we need in a timely manner, which in Cardiology is critical. He has bent over backwards when our father was in critical condition and getting care at Straub Medical Center to make sure that the continuity of care between Straub and the VA was ongoing and our father could receive the supplies, medication, and other things . Whether performing complex cardiac assessments, delivering difficult information, or coordinating important collaborations with other specialty care clinics, he does so with transparency, honesty, and the utmost respect for the patient’s privacy. His ability to navigate and accommodate challenging, sensitive situations, such as the needs of a proud and strong 90-year-old and the complex family issues that come from having eight children and many other family members wanting to get involved, as well as the complexity of his care, Steven Wilson, RN has handled it with the utmost professionalism. He navigates situations with peace, wisdom, and grace, and he ensures that his patients trust him implicitly with their care. He has an exceptionally calming presence, no matter how complex and chaotic the environment may be.

Consistency
He consistently goes the extra mile for his patients. Frequently, he has made efforts to bend over backwards to do telephone consults with the doctor/Pharmacy,/Other Specialty Care when Veteran J was too sick to report to the VA Center for care to keep facilitation of care and ongoing needs, supplies, medications, and referrals. authorizations met with telephone support and messaging. He did follow up care through extra phone calls to verify Veteran J was safe and on the mend, and if there were any needs he could help with. He offered great positive verbal encouragement that the VA was rooting for Veteran J and was supportive of our whole family to get better, which means the most when you are at your lowest point and you are one step from heaven's gates. His commitment to the VA’s mission is evident in his tireless efforts in not only managing patient care but also staying informed on the latest Cardiology updates and educating the patients and their families as such. He consistently ensures the best possible treatment plans for our dear veterans who have served our country and in doing so shows his deep respect and gratitude for their sacrifices.

Advocacy
One of Stephen Wilson, RN's greatest strengths is his unwavering advocacy for his patients. Again and again, we had experiences with him where he listened to our concerns, took actions to support care and recovery. He engages with multidisciplinary teams as he works in the specialty care units and uses that area of expertise to help many patients with a very good attitude. You can always expect calmness and a smile when you run into Stephen Wilson, RN. He ensures that the veterans' voices are heard and their concerns and their family concerns are met. His ability to navigate complex veterans' health, medical, and other systems ensures that veterans get the specialized care that they deserve, and this is another reason why he should receive the DAISY Award. He’s amazing.

Respect
In every interaction and I mean every interaction Steven Wilson RN demonstrated an extraordinary respect for his patients, their medical needs, their social economic backgrounds and challenges, their various levels of mental health, their medical limitations and disabilities, in some case there were some “moments” inappropriate outburst that he handled like a professionals calmly and effectively and he supported their needs, their unique backgrounds, and experiences. He is just a remarkable man and Nurse and Veteran professional. It’s because of his genuine caring for his patients, “like they say patients don’t care what you know until they know that you care”, Steven Wilson RN is the epitome of that statement. His genuine, caring persona built lasting, strong, healing relationships, with the veterans and their families. He offered them not just medical care but emotional support too. He is an example of nursing excellence in the VA Health Care System. He is aware of the mind, body, spirit connection with the gentle awareness that at all must be integrated to heal. His respect for the dignity of each, and every patient is palpable. He never loses his cool, and he is always kind to his patients, despite their poor behavior at times. His sensitivity to their circumstances is a hallmark for his nursing practice, which we got to see firsthand as he cared for our father over these many years and was a big part of my father, making it to 90 years of age and still going through many many many obstacles and obstacles he stood by us with a smile and continues to work to make things work for us.

Excellence
Stephen Wilson, RN, continues to seek excellence in all aspects of his work. He is highly skilled in interpreting diagnostic tests, explaining them in layman’s terms, administering and organizing treatments, and providing tailor-made care plans. His proactive approach to patient care has led to improved patient outcomes, and veteran J is one example of that amazing care with an amazing outcome. Veteran J would not be alive and have a quality of life without the support and care of Stephen and his doctor. His proactive approach has also led to patient satisfaction in the Cardiology Clinic. When many clinics were in a chaotic state, Stephen Wilson, RN was able to keep Cardiology cool, calm and collectected.

Innovation
In addition to his clinical expertise, Stephen Wilson, RN, has embraced innovative practices to improve patient care and outcomes. He utilizes the latest technology available to him at the VA now to the maximum ability he can to support the patient's recovery and care. He assures that all procedures are performed with precision and attention to detail. And he works very well in collaborating on this care with his coworkers and team members. It’s a positive experience all the way around for the patients and their families. His willingness to learn new techniques and share his knowledge with colleagues and patients makes him a true leader in the VA Healthcare Cardiology Speciality Clinic.

While Stephen Wilson, RN, brings technical excellence to his role, he does so with a centered and compassionate touch that sets him apart in a system that often makes people feel like numbers and nobody. That’s not Stephen Wilson RN, he makes you feel important and that you matter. He has an incredible ability to make complex cardiology concepts understandable to patients and their families. He takes very difficult terms and breaks them down into a simple relatable language. His patients often expressed their appreciation for him, making them feel at ease as a veteran. J is a great example of how a patient who quite often had “white coat syndrome,” which Steven Wilson, RN, could set at ease. He often made stressful procedures and medical consultations much easier. Whether he is taking extra time to listen to a patient’s concern, Steven Wilson, RN, provides comfort, reassurance, and stability to the VA Cardiology Clinic, and therefore affects many other clinics to be more stable. He excels in managing the rigorous demands of the cardiology clinic and its patients and staff with the emotional and psychological needs of the veterans he serves, making sure they feel valued as people and not just as government-issued items or patients with a number. Stephen Wilson, RN, stands out above all others because of his consistent, exceptional service to his patients and their families. He not only meets the professional and technical demands of his position but excels at delivering care that is both personal and professional. His ability to combine empathy with expertise creates an environment where veterans feel cared for, and that’s the mission. Mission accomplished by Stephen Wilson, RN.

He represents the VA’s core values at the highest level and has made a lasting impact on the lives of countless veterans. In a field that requires both technical experience and emotional intelligence, Steven Wilso,n RN, is a rare and outstanding example of the kind of nurse every patient deserves, the very best. His ongoing contributions to the VA Cardiology Clinic and the VA Healthcare System as a whole have made him a beloved and irreplaceable member of the VA healthcare team. He is very very deserving of recognition for the tireless dedication to the veterans in his care. It is with absolute great pleasure that J and our family nominate Stephen Wilson, RN for the DAISY Award and we wholeheartedly believe he deserves this recognition for his outstanding contributions to patient care and for his embodiment of the values that make the VA healthcare system an important place for healing.