Ms. Klemme role models extraordinary behavior daily. She worked with PC Leadership and CRH to attain provider coverage for two CBOC locations until new providers were hired so that operations could continue and primary care access wasn't hindered. Ms. Klemme also worked with CRH to provide RN and LPN coverage for the Southern CBOCs to sustain primary care nursing coverage due to vacancies. Ms. Klemme has assumed responsibility and oversight for our facility's TES compliance and monitors it daily to ensure we are compliant with the COMPACT Act. Ms. Klemme worked with Engineering and Safety services to identify a new location for the Walk-In Veteran/Employee Flu Clinic when a safety issue was brought to her attention to ensure there was no disruption of the administration of flu vaccines to employees and Veterans.
    
Ms. Klemme creates an environment where attributes of trust, compassion, mutual respect, continued professional development, and ethical behavior are modeled and supported all throughout Primary Care and VHI. She is very engaged with all primary care nursing staff. She constantly communicates and updates staff regarding process changes via email and the Primary Care Teams channel. Ms. Klemme is the Primary Care Service point of contact for opening new CBOCs (Shelbyville, Lawrence, & Bloomington). During the Shelbyville activation (Lawrence & Bloomington are in the beginning phases), she worked with the Site Manager to allow staff to see the new clinic prior to opening, practice what a normal day would like look. During that time, she elicited feedback from frontline staff regarding changes that needed to be made and implemented them (examples: additional AED, emergency red bags, set up/placement of IT equipment in rooms).
    
Ms. Klemme motivates staff with a shared vision and enthusiasm to achieve better outcomes for themselves and for their patients. Ms. Klemme is currently working on the redevelopment of PACT nursing protocols to ensure that Primary Care nursing staff can work and function to the top of their scope. Nursing staff appreciate the guidance these protocols provide to ensure Veterans are receiving the best care possible in a timely manner. Ms. Klemme has been involved in numerous workgroups that involve nursing staff throughout Primary Care to keep them engaged in our daily processes and promote buy-in from front-line staff.
    
Ms. Klemme promotes and enhances the image of nursing within the organization, community, and the profession through all her hard work. She served as one of the facility experts during the VISN CNO site visit, during which she presented on several current nursing practices. When the NPSB dissolved in FY24, Ms. Klemme served as the content matter expert and provided several training sessions for VHI staff and supervisors. Ms. Klemme worked with PC Leadership and other stakeholders when one of the CBOCs had to be temporarily closed due to a fire. Through her hard work and dedication to VHA's mission, she was able to determine alternate locations for staff and Veterans during the CBOC closure so Veteran care was not delayed. Another CBOC experienced a water main break in the lobby, and Ms. Klemme worked with the Site Manager and other stakeholders to determine an alternate entrance for employees and Veterans to utilize to be able to enter the building safely and provide an efficient workflow through the clinic until all repairs were completed. One of the other CBOCs reported an odor causing safety concerns for Veterans and staff, Ms. Klemme worked diligently with the Site Manager and other stakeholders to ensure appointments were converted to VVC/phone visits to ensure timely care was still provided to patients.