August 2026 Honoree
Ashley Leighliter-Smith, MSN
Ashley, thank you for stepping in and saving my life. You inspire me to be the best version of myself. I look up to you. I feel that more people should strive to have the strength and passion that you exemplify in everyday life. Thank you for being there and saving my life.
I have been in horrible pain, passing out a lot, and not being able to walk anywhere without falling down. Ashley called to check on me one day to see how I was doing. She stayed on the phone with me for more than an hour, listening to my concerns and the pain I was going through.
She convinced me to go to the ER at the VA even though I had bad experiences there in the past. She told me how important it was to be seen sooner, rather than waiting for an appt with my primary care provider. She told me my symptoms were serious, and she was right.
I went to the ER, and they transferred me out. I was told that if I hadn’t come in when she told me to, I would have died before my birthday the next day. Her dedicated listening to me and not putting me off as just complaining, saved my life.
I want to thank her for going above and beyond, contacting the ER to get me seen as soon as I got there, and for convincing me to go in. Without her, my children wouldn’t have a dad anymore. They are very grateful to her as well.
Once I was transferred, they told me that I had a bleed, and they fixed it. She is an angel who is watching over all the Veterans she comes in contact with. My symptoms have gotten better all because of her.
I have been in horrible pain, passing out a lot, and not being able to walk anywhere without falling down. Ashley called to check on me one day to see how I was doing. She stayed on the phone with me for more than an hour, listening to my concerns and the pain I was going through.
She convinced me to go to the ER at the VA even though I had bad experiences there in the past. She told me how important it was to be seen sooner, rather than waiting for an appt with my primary care provider. She told me my symptoms were serious, and she was right.
I went to the ER, and they transferred me out. I was told that if I hadn’t come in when she told me to, I would have died before my birthday the next day. Her dedicated listening to me and not putting me off as just complaining, saved my life.
I want to thank her for going above and beyond, contacting the ER to get me seen as soon as I got there, and for convincing me to go in. Without her, my children wouldn’t have a dad anymore. They are very grateful to her as well.
Once I was transferred, they told me that I had a bleed, and they fixed it. She is an angel who is watching over all the Veterans she comes in contact with. My symptoms have gotten better all because of her.
Thank you, Ashley, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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