I wanted to recognize Minimol Joseph, as I had the pleasure of working with her for my school practicum hours.

I was paired with her by chance, thankfully through the education department, and I never met someone so intelligent and natural in the art of nursing. I was terrified going to the SICU, as I have not worked within an ICU setting nor have practiced medicine here at VA Connecticut.

Mini made me feel comfortable, where I was able to apply skills and procedures like it was "riding a bike again," as some of these skills I have not routinely done since my Yale days! She broke down everything in an easy manner and made me feel more comfortable with caring for a higher acuity patient.

Her explanations between different procedures, surgeries, mechanisms utilized, and charting that I have not seen since my service line does not use certain aspects that the SICU uses in an easy-to-approach, understanding manner.

I see how well-liked Mini is among her coworkers and other staff members at the VA. As a former fixture of the SWAT nursing team, her qualities shine. Her work ethic, demeanor, communication skills, and team-applied approach show within her practice.

I am delighted that I got to do my direct care hours with her and was able to learn a lot and see a lot from her, from placing the most complicated of IVs (she is the IV go-to person for a lot of people) to her caring demeanor of assisting a Veteran to eat.

Her range of abilities signifies what the VA principles stand for. She makes patients feel comfortable at the bedside and is always willing to provide a helping hand.

 I hope she knows what impact she has on others, as she makes me want to learn more, build my knowledge, and strive to do more.