This employee has been the staff member for the Nurse Practitioner who has been my primary care provider for decades. This employee provides continuing care for me, knows my history, and respects me as a patient, taking directions seriously and not abusing the system. As I have aged (now 87) the employee not only provided routine measurements and work up questions that are expected (e.g., pain level), but also inquiries about my living situation, which can affect my moods or mental status. The employee treats me from a holistic perspective, alerting my primary caregiver of pertinent factors influencing my health. The employee sometimes suggests what may be available at the VA and offers to try and meet my needs when I might not know help is available. Recently, I have developed problems with bowel incontinence in addition to bladder problems. The employee has attended to me being disheartened about those issues, encouraging me and complimenting me to counter self-doubts or not to feel bad about my body deteriorating. The employee can be counted among my friends as more than just a professional caregiver. The employee caring for me as a person lends more credence to my behalf that VA Medical Center are truly different than most hospitals and outpatient medical offices. There seems to be a sense of comradery among staff and patients who may be strangers to me.