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Beckley , WV — Everyday, nurses at the Beckley VA Medical Center go above and beyond to not only provide patients and families with excellence in clinical care but also compassion. This is

the foundation of the DAISY Awards, a recognition program to celebrate and recognize nurses by collecting nominations from patients, families, and co-workers.  Beckley VAMC recently

recognized the “DAISY Dozen,” along with the DAISY Award Honoree for the year.  This year’s honoree is Alison Whitten, R.N.  Ali was assigned as Lead Coordinator (LC) for a Veteran under

Care Coordination and Integrated Case Management (CC&ICM), a new health care practice approach being implemented at all VAs across the nation.  The LC is a single, readily accessible,

and clearly identifiable point of contact for a Veteran, their family and caregiver, and care team members. The LC has primary responsibility for ensuring the Veteran’s care is coordinated

across settings, services, and episodes of care, and the care plan is delivered as clinically directed.  Ali accepted the Lead Coordinator assignment without any hesitation. She served as an

advocate for the Veteran’s care, including him ultimately being enrolled in Home Base Primary Care (HBPC). With Ali’s persistent advocation for this Veteran’s health, he has shifted to

basic care coordination needs from moderate and has a better understanding of his own health and how to best manage it. The 40 nominations this year were sent to Beckley VAMC’s DAISY

Committee, which scores the nominations using criteria that focuses on compassion and fitting VA’s mission and values. During the presentation, Alison received a certificate in a DAISY

portfolio, a beautiful hand-carved Healer’s Touch Sculpture from Zimbabwe, an Honoree pin, a bouquet of flowers, a copy of her nomination, a gift bag, and cinnamon rolls to share. The other

nominees that make up the Beckley VAMC “DAISY Dozen” this year includes Tristen Ellis. Susanna Eller, Kasie Lemon, Christopher Gabbert, April Ratliff, Kaitlin Halstead, Misty Black, Caitlyn

Nay, April Sgro (Pennington), Myranda Honaker, Deborah Hull, and Rebecca Richmond.