Tonya W Johnson
June 2026
Tonya W
Johnson
,
RN
James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center
Altoona
,
PA
United States
Due to Tonya’s quick assessment skills and rapport with this Veteran, he was able to get the care that he needed.
I am writing to nominate Tonya Johnson for the DAISY Award. She went above and beyond for a Veteran who had a drastic decline. The Veteran lives with a caregiver; however, she was out of town due to health issues, and the Veteran’s other family member was staying with him. The Veteran is legally blind and has a seeing eye dog.
When Tonya arrived at the Veteran’s home, she quickly noted that something was not right. The Veteran was unable to talk well, was stumbling while walking back to the couch, and was visibly short of breath. The Veteran’s seeing eye dog was also visibly upset. She quickly completed an assessment and noted his pulse ox to be 53%. She assisted the Veteran in finding his recently delivered inhaler, which was still in its packaging on the table. Veteran used the inhaler, but he did not improve. The Veteran continued to refuse to go to the ER. However, during her assessment, the great rapport she has with the Veteran led him to agree to go. Tonya then immediately called 911 and waited with the Veteran until the ambulance arrived. She assisted them by providing a full report, a med list, assistance with the Veteran, and support for the Veteran’s service dog.
The Veteran was stabilized in the ambulance outside of the home, which took approximately 25min prior to them leaving for the hospital. Tonya stayed during this time and educated and provided comfort to the family member. She also updated his main caregiver, who was out of town due to medical issues. The Veteran was intubated in the ER and admitted to the ICU; however, he quickly improved and was discharged home.
Tonya has made multiple follow-up calls and additional visits to closely monitor this Veteran. Due to Tonya’s quick assessment skills and rapport with this Veteran, he was able to get the care that he needed. Tonya showed all the ICARE values in her care for this Veteran, as well as the comfort she provided to the family. She truly is an amazing nurse who goes above and beyond for all her Veterans.
When Tonya arrived at the Veteran’s home, she quickly noted that something was not right. The Veteran was unable to talk well, was stumbling while walking back to the couch, and was visibly short of breath. The Veteran’s seeing eye dog was also visibly upset. She quickly completed an assessment and noted his pulse ox to be 53%. She assisted the Veteran in finding his recently delivered inhaler, which was still in its packaging on the table. Veteran used the inhaler, but he did not improve. The Veteran continued to refuse to go to the ER. However, during her assessment, the great rapport she has with the Veteran led him to agree to go. Tonya then immediately called 911 and waited with the Veteran until the ambulance arrived. She assisted them by providing a full report, a med list, assistance with the Veteran, and support for the Veteran’s service dog.
The Veteran was stabilized in the ambulance outside of the home, which took approximately 25min prior to them leaving for the hospital. Tonya stayed during this time and educated and provided comfort to the family member. She also updated his main caregiver, who was out of town due to medical issues. The Veteran was intubated in the ER and admitted to the ICU; however, he quickly improved and was discharged home.
Tonya has made multiple follow-up calls and additional visits to closely monitor this Veteran. Due to Tonya’s quick assessment skills and rapport with this Veteran, he was able to get the care that he needed. Tonya showed all the ICARE values in her care for this Veteran, as well as the comfort she provided to the family. She truly is an amazing nurse who goes above and beyond for all her Veterans.