So often in life, it takes the absence of a person for you to realize how valuable they are to your team and to your life. I've seen this in the last week while Anitra has been on sick leave. She is an invaluable part of our clinic, and especially to my team. Our patients have told me, with nearly everyone I've checked in, how genuine and caring she is, and that they've missed seeing her while she was out. I had a veteran tell me how much they appreciated the time she took to make sure his FMLA paperwork was properly completed, even though it needed several revisions. A veteran told me how she took the time to listen to him and sit with him while he was going through a personal crisis. Another veteran's wife told me how warm she always is, and how much they trust her when she walks in the room. I could tell more stories of what I've heard from our patients, but I would run out of room. 

We all make a team work, but there are some players who shine brighter than the others. Anitra shines brightly, like the North Star. Not only does she care for our veterans... she cares for us, like a mother or a sister or a best friend when you need one (and we always need one). She embodies compassion for everyone, no matter their life circumstance or situation, and treats every veteran with the dignity and grace they deserve. She is a blessing to work with and blesses every patient she comes in contact with.