March 2024
Sheldon
Fijiwara
,
RN, BSN
Primary Care
VA Pacific Islands Health Care System
Honolulu
,
HI
United States
He has always been able to think quickly and provide the best care for our veterans.
During the start of the pandemic Sheldon Fijiwara played a pivotal role in caring for the veterans and ensuring their trust and medical care was maintained at the highest level. I remember one particular incident when a veteran likely had COVID or PUI at the time. This veteran came into the clinic and was desaturating and Sheldon worked phenomenally quickly. He discussed the case with me concisely and we were able to develop a plan of care timely. He had no hesitation and felt that the veteran needed to be monitored closely and therefore went into the negative pressure room after placing on the appropriate PPE . This was a time when the vaccines had not come out yet nor was their laboratory capability of testing. While Sheldon monitored the veteran, I was able to call 911 and during this time he was able to brief the firefighters and eventually paramedics and the veteran was taken to the nearest emergency hospital. The veteran was able to go with confidence and without fear, instead with compassion and with the safety of both the veteran and all the other veterans and staff. What I have seen throughout the years is Sheldon having never raised his voice and has never demonstrated a moment of frustration when taking care of difficult veterans or dealing with inherent system defects. He has always been able to think quickly and provide the best care for our veterans. An absolute privilege to work alongside Sheldon for so many years and someone who not only understood the value and importance of the PACT system but has been a wonderful example of someone who tries to uphold that level of care for our veterans.