William Ryherd
May 2017
William
Ryherd
,
BSN, RN
Family Practice
Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center
North Chicago
,
IL
United States

 

 

 

It is with great admiration and a thankful heart that we recommend William (Bill) Ryherd, BSN, RN from Family Practice for the DAISY Award.
When our autistic son turned 20, we found ourselves buried in a mountain of paperwork for the State and Federal Government. These organizations required multiple forms and letters be submitted in order for him to continue to receive his medical benefits.
We did not even know where to begin. Our son's nurse recommended asking Bill for assistance because of his proficiency in this area. In spite of having his own extensive workload, Bill didn't hesitate to offer assistance with the exhaustive and complex paperwork required for these special needs programs.
Bill's dedication to caring for others has led him to become an acknowledged expert in completing the intricate and often convoluted forms associated with special education mandates and Government programs. The paperwork systems created by these organizations were designed as navigational tools. What we needed, and found in Bill, was our navigator.
He worked closely with us, our son's School, and his Doctor in coordinating schedules, collecting information, completing forms, and creating and sending the required supporting documentation to the appropriate agencies. He was instrumental in helping us manage the process and explaining expectations, options, and possible outcomes.
Through Bill's diligence, our son was granted continuing medical coverage on his 21st birthday by the Department of Defense, and although not yet confirmed we hope to receive word that he will continue to receive benefits from the Social Security Agency as well.
We dedicate this quote to Bill from Vincent Van Gogh. "Your profession is not what brings home your paycheck. Your profession is what you were put on Earth to do with such passion and such intensity that it becomes spiritual in calling."
Thank you, Bill, you are an amazing nurse who has proved to be an extraordinary advocate, confidante, pathfinder, and friend. You used your valuable time to look out for our son's best interests and helped us to successfully traverse the confusing world of special needs programs to obtain the support he will need well into the future.