Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center

     Dr. Cohen is a highly ethical, morale person and represents the TVAM C in a way that we can be proud of and try to emulate. His professio nal interactions with patients and staff through the years displays his integrity. Many Veterans have expressed how grateful they are for his outstanding care and services. One example of his outstanding care was expressed by a Veteran who stated he was down and depressed and Dr. Cohen would spend his lunch time for many weeks playing chess at the Veteran's bedside. 

Many Veterans and their family members have commented about how committed Dr. Cohen has been and how he clearly explains medical matters to them. In addition to his committment to Veterans and families, Dr. Cohen is also dedicated to Educational and Research activites. He truly enjoys collaborating with others.

Dr. Cohen serves our Veterans consitently, tirelessly and advocates for them on the Valor Rehab unit. He is always respectf ul in the way he carries himself and interacts with the Veterans, their caregivers and staff.
                    -Recommended by Dr. Maria Bergman

     Ms. Stephanie Bailey works in the Compensation and Pension office at the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center. I am submitting her name to the ICARE Awards program because she is the most dedicated employee to her job as a Patient Services Assistant. She works hard to schedule the Veterans' C&P exams and is constantly answering the Veterans' questions or directing them to who they need to talk to. On one occasion, I saw Ms. Bailey go above and beyond. When one of our female Veterans looked at her appointment letter, she was confused about the date of the appointment. She drove from Mississippi and upon arrival, she became upset and tearful about the mix-up.

Ms. Bailey immediately reassured her that she would do everything she could to help her. Ms. Bailey then alerted the provider about the situation as well as other clinic staff. The provider was able to see the Veteran that same day which in-turn gave the Veteran much relief. This is one of many fires I've witnessed Ms. Bailey put out during the course of her duty. She is indeed a God-send to the Compensation and Pension office.
                           -Recom mended by Yolanda Lee

     I would like to nominate Ms. Fran Hinton for an ICARE Award for going above and beyond for a female Veteran enrolled in the Transitional Work Program. Even though this Veteran was not assigned to Ms. Hinton, when she learned about her situation, she stepped into action.

Ms. Hinton assisted her with transportation, medication and advocated for her to her TW supervisor. She provided one-on-one counseling and addressed the Veteran's concerns about her current situation. She even provided transportation to this Veteran from work to home for a week until she was able to make such arrangements independently. Ms. Hinton went over and beyond to accommodate her in a way that would allow her to not jeopardize her work assignment.
                            -Recommended by Allen Riley

     My co-worker, Roderick Rollins, is an excellent employee and co-worker because he is always courteous and respect­ ful to everyone - both Veterans and employees alike. He is peaceful to be around even when there is a lot of noise and distractions in our work area. 

I believe he is an excellent employee because he makes every effort to energetic and helpful to Veterans who call the medical center. One case in point, he took a hand-written note to one of the clinics because they were shorthanded that day. He has since done this on many occasions in order to get faster service to our Veterans.  

As a supervisor, I would like to add that Mr. Rollins is willing to go above and beyond in his duties as a Telephone Operator. He is always willing to learn other areas within Health Information Management Service and has often provided coverage to our Mail Room to ensure Veterans get their mail and medication. He is a great example of both Respect and Excellence.

     -Recommended by Jamie Hallman & Sylvia Hanna

     It is difficult to select just one value that Katie exemplifies in her work everyday. I could say that she exemplifies Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy and Respect because she sincerely cares about the Veterans and does whatever she can to help them even when it is outside her assigned duties. I have watched her talk to Veterans on the phone with patience and respect. I have seen her take a lost Veteran into her office to help him or her figure out where they need to go. I have heard Veterans say time and again how much they appreciate her and know they can rely on her. She has called them so many times that they recognize her voice on the phone.

But I will choose Excellence since it embodies all of the above. When I was lost in the sea after transferring to MHOPC, Katie became my life raft. There were few questions she could not answer for me and if she didn't know, she would find out who to ask. She has managed  to "take care" of me despite the many other duties she juggles. When asked to come up with the name of an MSA to assign to the new Telemental Health Clinic in MHPC, I know her supervisor thought of her immediately.

TVAMC is very fortunate to have her. She truly exemplifies ICARE values and has done so long before that name. 
                  -Recommended by Doreen Davis