Kari Svirbly, RN truly illustrated the Erie VA Medical Center's value of advocacy and compassion as she met the needs of a Veteran.
Kari's first visit with this Veteran was intense. He was stretching out his pain medications, thinking that he wouldn't be able to get any more refills and had resolved to not ever go back to the clinic. Kari spent a few hours discussing the Veteran's health history, the home-based primary care program and how they could bring health services to him. The Veteran no longer drives and rarely leaves his home. The Veteran was almost in disbelief and skeptical but signed up for services. After a few visits, and an established a rapport, the Veteran reported that he had "given up...", thinking that no one cared; that he was "just a number" and we "have restored his faith".
The patient nomination read: "I have cancer. This is about my nurse Kari. She normally comes out to see me once a week, but she's been out here 3 times this month. I got cancer in my one shoulder and had Gout in my hand. I really had a hard time changing my clothes; I was in a lot of pain. They came out and did some lab work and ordered prednisone stat. Well, it never came so I called Kari. She had to go back to pick it up and then drive all the way out to bring it to me. I live out in the boondocks. It was very hazardous outside that day; I wouldn't have been out there. It was so bad when I opened the door for her, I couldn't even see down the street. She put her life at risk so that I could have my medication. I was in bad shape but within a couple of hours, I was feeling better."
Wow! What perfect display of advocacy, compassion, and commitment to the Erie VA Medical Center values. Thank You, Kari, for being Extraordinary!!