I am nominating Maria Juarez because I think she is the epitome of what a VA nurse should be. In the 8 months that I have been here, she is someone whom I feel has 100% demonstrated the I-CARE values.

Her INTEGRITY is evident in the professional standards she always maintains. She has a positive attitude and is someone who the staff trusts to ensure organization within the clinic as the charge nurse with assisting with scheduling, adapting to the daily changes and being accessible.

Her COMMITMENT is evidenced by the unwavering devotion and diligence she shows in caring for her veterans. She goes above and beyond and will assist with seeing, even veterans that are not on her team, to ensure their needs are being met in a timely and effective manner. She is an asset to her PACT team, assisting the provider in the success of meeting most metrics through her hard work in Population Management and adhering to Nursing Standards

She is an ADVOCATE for her veterans. I have witnessed the compassion she shows her veterans. I have witnessed her provide excellent and prudent care to veterans, whether they are scheduled visits or walk-ins. And she never complains.

She demonstrates RESPECT, not only for her veterans but also for her colleagues. She is approachable, always displaying a teamwork ethic and being engaged with her team members. She comes to work to do her job and doesn’t engage in any negativity. She chooses “the harder right instead of the easier wrong”.

Finally, Maria shows EXCELLENCE in everything that she does. If she has helpful information, she shares it. If she doesn’t know the answer, she will assist you in finding it. She is accountable in that, despite taking care of her elder father full-time, she comes to work and still gives her all.

Maria is not just an excellent VA nurse; she is a beautiful person inside and out and deserves to be acknowledged.