I recently experienced a great day with Jhaia “JJ” Entena as my nurse. I was an inpatient on the medical/surgical unit, but my team decided that I needed to be taken to an outpatient ortho appointment at the VA clinic next door to the hospital, and the clinic could fit me in at 0800.

There was little time left to get to the clinic on time for the appointment. JJ moved us quickly to the VA clinic with the hefty load of my body, she pushed me with a constant force to make it to the ortho appointment on time, only to be told that I did not have a scheduled appointment and got directed somewhere else. During this crazy 30-minute run-around encounter, JJ was constantly in contact with team members to clear up communication and advocate on my behalf.

JJ's commitment to top-notch care and professionalism was evident, and she was able to do all of this before she even had her morning coffee or breakfast! That’s a real trooper in action!

Great work, JJ, as you lead by example, one day at a time!