RN Aponte is an extraordinary person and clinician. She is a highly skilled, knowledgeable, and compassionate nurse. RN Aponte went above and beyond this year with the Influenza Program. Last year, the Influenza season Employee Occupational Health Department reached a total of 74% with vaccinating and collecting Appendix B 10-9050 forms for the 2023-2024 Influenza season. This year's 2024-2025 Influenza Season with RN Aponte's diligence Employee Occupational Health Influenza Program compliance with the Appendix B 10-9050 forms is over 96%. This is the highest percentage this facility has seen per the Employee Occupational Health Director/Chief. During this year's Influenza season, we did not utilize Unit champions, and RN Aponte has been coming to work extra early to vaccinate the night shift employees and staying late to vaccinate the evening shift employees. She effectively demonstrates the true meaning of diligence and is a team player. I do not think Employee Occupational Health would have achieved this without RN Aponte.

Lizette also works hard every day when she comes to work, putting employees' needs first. I enjoy working with RN Aponte, she does an excellent job every day. Lizette encourages employees to be vaccinated against Influenza, which decreases the ill effects of employees becoming sick with Influenza and having to call out sick, causing shortages in staff in all areas of this facility. RN Aponte also educates all employees on the benefits of being vaccinated against influenza, which saves money for the facility, decreases OT for sick calls, and increases the wellness of our employees. Ms. Aponte is known throughout the facility by employees as the Flu Nurse. Lizette solves problems daily by providing education to our employees here at JJP VAMC.

Since December of 2023, RN Aponte has been the only nurse working at EOH without complaints. She has been doing an excellent job! Lizette has been performing her clinical and administrative duties successfully. I have known and worked with Ms. Aponte for almost four years in the Employee Occupational Health Clinic and have always found her dependable, respectable, and efficient. She cares about the applicants, employees/veterans, and volunteers she encounters daily. For example, upon doing vital signs and phlebotomy for an applicant during onboarding, she spoke to this applicant and saw something more in him. He was coming in for one position, and she encouraged him to excel and go for a higher position. The applicant came onboard and is now currently an employee. He came to the Employee Occupational Health Clinic to thank Ms. Aponte for encouraging him to be more. He proudly announced to the Employee Occupational Health Team. Regardless of whether she is performing Venipuncture, EKG, or collecting COVID-19 specimens, she does it daily with a smile on her face, even if she is having a not-so-pleasant day. She has a warm demeanor, and her laughter is infectious. An employee came to the Occupational Health Department last week to inform the team that he had listened to her and transitioned to another position that was a better fit for him, and he reports that he is so happy. Thank you. I am so glad I listened to your advice. After witnessing this exchange, I can see she made a huge impact on this individual's life trajectory.

I am honored and proud to work alongside this change agent. Ms. Lizette Aponte, RN, is caring, responsible, diligent, and enthusiastically goes above and beyond for all those we serve at Employee Occupational Health Day, day in and day out. She truly embodies the meaning of the DAISY Award.