I presented to the UCC at the Altoona VAMC (my home VAMC) and it was determined I would need to go to the Pittsburgh VAMC. I had been denied food prior to leaving the Altoona VAMC due to the possibility of getting right in for surgery upon reaching Pittsburgh. Upon arrival at Pittsburgh, I was placed into a room on 6 west and again denied food due to the possibility of having surgery in the morning. The next day I met with several teams of doctors, and I was advised by these doctors that I would not be having any procedures right away and it would be possible for me to have something solid to eat. I guess this information had not been relayed to food services, nor had it been updated in my chart. This is when I spoke to my Day nurse, Patricia Gibson, about the situation. I feel Pattie went above and beyond in her duties as a nurse. Pattie was able to contact the different teams of doctors and verify that I was supposed to be on solid food. Pattie then ensured the food service department was notified, and I was able to finally eat something for the first time in two days.

I also observed some other traits Pattie possesses that she should be recognized for. I suffer from PTSD, and as a result, I tend to get anxious. Pattie was able to recognize this and sat down and talked to me for a couple of minutes. This simple act of caring and kindness helped to ease my anxiety and made my experience much more enjoyable. Pattie would also check on me, time permitting, even if I wasn’t on her assigned panel of patients for the day. In the climate we see in healthcare today, where oftentimes medical providers are understaffed and expected to do more than less, it is refreshing to know there are still nurses like Pattie who go above and beyond what is required of them to provide the best possible patient care. Pattie took care of me in the same manner that I took care of my soldiers while serving as a platoon sergeant in the U.S. Army. She placed the needs of the patient above her own and had a calming, comforting bedside manner, as well as strongly advocated for my best interests. Pattie’s actions bring credit upon herself, the nursing profession, and the Pittsburgh VAMC healthcare system. She is an asset to those she serves, and I feel she should be recognized for going above and beyond what is required of her in her basic duties.